Membership

Free Museum Admission

As a Hagley member, you enjoy unlimited free admission to the museum throughout the year.  Your membership also gives you complimentary entry to family-friendly programs like Science Saturdays, Summer Nights at Hagley, and more.  Plus, you’ll receive discounts on special events throughout the year.  For daily museum visitation, members should check in at the Visitor Center.

Walking and Grounds Privileges 

Hagley members also have walking and grounds access seven days a week during posted museum hours. For an extra touch of tranquility, members can visit on Wednesdays—when the property is closed to the general public.  Members should check in at the Visitor Center before entering the museum grounds.

The Hagley Store, located next to the Visitor Center, is open daily from 10 a.m. until 15 minutes after museum closing. Individual, Scholar, Dual, and Household members receive a 10% discount. Patron and Sponsor members receive a 15% discount.  Contributor and Benefactor members receive a 20% discount. Present your current membership card at checkout to receive your discount.

All members are also invited to enjoy 20% off regularly priced items during our annual Members’ Shopping Week, held the week after Thanksgiving.

Fireworks at Hagley presented by M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust

Hagley’s annual members-only fireworks event takes place on the second and third Fridays in June.  (“Rain dates” are the Saturdays and Sundays immediately following the scheduled event dates.) The event features the Kid Central entertainment area, a food court, a raffle and silent auction, and more!  Gates open at 5 p.m., and the fireworks show begins around 9:20 p.m. Members may bring a picnic or purchase food on-site. Attendance is by reservation only, and invitations are mailed in April to all active members as of April 1.

Fireworks at Hagley is weather-dependent, with possible postponement to the following Saturday or Sunday. Updates are posted on Hagley’s homepage on the morning of each event.

I’ve never been to Fireworks at Hagley. How do I get tickets?

Fireworks at Hagley is an exclusive members-only event held over two Fridays in mid-June. All active members as of April 1 will receive a mailed invitation with ticket order information. 

About five business days after the mailing, members with an email address on file will also receive a link to purchase tickets online. Sponsor, Benefactor, and Contributor members may receive complimentary tickets based on their level of support.

Hagley Patron, Sponsor, Benefactor, and Contributor members receive reciprocity with museums that participate in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM).  

New for 2025: Hagley Household members receive this benefit, too!  NARM has more than 1,390 participating arts, cultural, and historical institutions along with botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and more that offer their individual NARM qualified members reciprocal benefits.  Benefits include free/member admission price, discounts in the Shop, and discounts on ticketed events at all NARM member organizations.  Note that “Family” benefits are specific to each institution.

Click here for a complete list of participating museums.

Please note that NARM privileges do not extend to Hagley members with a home institution within a 15 mile radius. It is always advisable to contact the institution prior to your visit to confirm the reciprocal benefits available and avoid any confusion.

With Hagley’s Smithsonian Affiliate Membership, you get two great memberships in one! Upgrade your one-year membership for $25, a two-year for $50. These benefits are free with Patron, Sponsor, Benefactor and Contributor memberships. Enjoy all the benefits of Hagley membership along with reciprocal membership privileges at Smithsonian-affiliated museums. The Smithsonian Affiliate Reciprocal Membership benefits include free admission for two, member discounts on purchases made on the premises for concert and lecture tickets, and discounts in gift stores. 

Click here for a complete listing of the wonderful Smithsonian Affiliate benefits, which include a one-year subscription to Smithsonian magazine, store and travel discounts, and much more! 

Click here for a list of Smithsonian Affiliate members.

Please note that not all Affiliate organizations choose to participate in the Reciprocal Membership Program. Please be sure to check the list of participating organizations before visiting an Affiliate.

Hagley members who join at the Household level or above have the opportunity to rent Hagley facilities.

Click here to learn more.

How do I learn about what’s happening at Hagley?

As a Hagley member, you will receive our quarterly award-winning Hagley Magazine which highlights upcoming programs and activities as well as what is new with our collections, property updates, and special events. We highly recommend that you share your email so that you will receive our weekly eblasts about the latest news and can stay current on hours, program updates, and more. You can also visit Hagley's website for the latest information about upcoming events.

Can I bring my dog for walks at Hagley?

Hagley always welcomes service dogs. Pets are not allowed during regular hours or during major events like Fireworks at Hagley, the Hagley Car Show, or the Hagley Craft Fair. 

Leashed, well-socialized dogs are welcome during Summer Nights at Hagley held on Wednesday evenings in June, July, and August.

Is food available for purchase at the museum? Can I bring a picnic?

Yes and yes! Grab-and-go options, including prepackaged food from Jamestown Catering, are available at the Visitor Center. A vending machine is located in the powder yard near the Machine Shop.  Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Picnic tables are located throughout the property, including near the barn in the Historic Home and Garden area, the Machine Shop, and the pavilion on Workers’ Hill.

Are There Seasonal or Other Closures That Impact Benefits?

Yes. Please note that Hagley’s benefits are subject to seasonal and event-based closures. During the month of January, only the Nation of Inventors exhibition and the Museum Store are open; the grounds are closed to the general public and members, and walking the property is not permitted. Additionally, access to the property is limited during special events such as Fireworks at Hagley, the Hagley Car Show, and the Hagley Craft Fair. For up-to-date hours and full details on closures throughout the year, please visit hagley.org/hours-tickets.

Is my membership tax deductible?

The Internal Revenue Service has determined that the deductibility of membership must be reduced by the value of certain benefits. If you do not receive your optional benefits (which can include complimentary guest passes, complimentary fireworks tickets, Smithsonian Magazine, and Hagley Store gift cards), your membership fee is fully tax deductible. If you receive optional benefits, the amount of your membership fee that is tax deductible is listed below:

     Membership Level
     Contributor- All but $505
     Benefactor - All but $315
     Sponsor - All but $215
     Patron - All but $115
     Household - All but $80
     Dual - All but $60
     Individual/Scholar - All but $40 

Can I use a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to pay for my membership?

Yes, but in doing so the member agrees to waive all benefits, under the IRS rules for deductibility. If event tickets or other tangible benefits accorded to this level are desired, the member will need to issue payment outside the DAF for them.

Is there anything we missed?

Contact Kim Kelleher at kkelleher@hagley.org or (302) 658-2400, ext. 235.