Filming, Still Photography and Audio Recording

Friendship Hill was the historic home and property of Albert Gallatin. Albert Gallatin started construction of his home in 1789, and he would make several additions to it while he owned Friendship Hill. Later owners would add even more to the house, creating the complex of today. The Albert Gallatin House sits on 600+ acres of land that once served as farm, orchard, and forest for the Gallatin family.

Today, Friendship Hill’s iconic park setting draws thousands of visitors each year, many who create new memories here. And sometimes, those people wish to record their memories here by having photographs taken in the park. Many people use Friendship Hill National Historic Site as the backdrops to memories. But this can sometime lead to situations and problems that can easily be prevented by following the information below.

Anyone who anticipates their use of the park will be beyond what is generally allowed for the public must apply for a permit.

 

Merriment at Friendship Hill

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit,
consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.

• If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law.

36 CFR 1.6(f) – Activities that require a permit.

• Some filming, still photography, and audio recording (depends upon the facts and circumstances; contact the park for more information). 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2) and 54 U.S.C. 100905.

 

Federal Public Lands, Federal Law, and the Superintendent’s Compendium

Friendship Hill National Historic Site is federal property and federal laws apply. Please make sure filming and still photography follows all applicable laws while at Friendship Hill National Historic Site.

The Superintendent’s Compendium may further define limits to federal law, but may also outline variances from federal prohibitions at Friendship Hill National Historic Site and the reasons for the variance.

Examples of activities or items that are prohibited on Federal properties include (but not limited to):

• Fireworks, incendiary devices, or fires

• Launching, landing, or use of drones

• Possession or consumption of alcohol.

Aside from Federal Laws, please also consult the Superintendent’s Compendium to ensure compliance. If you have any questions, please consult the section “Ensuring filming or still photography is compliant” below.

 

Friendship Hill National Historic Site’s Visitor Rules

Vehicles should be parked in marked parking lots ONLY

• No parking is allowed along the side of the road, in front of any gates, or in any of the fields. Please keep vehicles to the marked parking lots to avoid hindering the traffic of other visitors or emergency services, and to prevent damage the natural resources.

• Parking in the road to photograph a vehicle is prohibited. If photography equipment is needed for a photoshoot, it will need to be carried from the nearest designated visitor parking lot.

• Vehicle access on the knoll is allowed for visitors with disabilities, authorized personnel, and government vehicles. The vehicle gate at historic knoll at the Gallatin House is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The historic knoll, grounds, and trails are still accessible by foot traffic in between the times of sunrise and sunset.

• All filming and photography must take place at least 50 feet from the main road.

Filming and still photography should not hinder another group’s visit or park operations.

• This includes other film and still photography groups that may be on the property. Be mindful of the surroundings and other visitors. There are times when there will be large groups of people on the property having photos taken, such as the when the local schools have prom and homecoming. Visitor facilities are open on a first come, first served basis unless a permit has been issued.

Follow the Leave No Trace Principles during your visit.

• Please remove all equipment, materials, and refuse when leaving. This helps keep the park clean, but also helps to ensure that this land is preserved for future generations. Gender reveal photoshoots have gained a reputation for creating a lot of waste, please be mindful of the Leave No Trace Principles.

• Not only should Leave No Trace Principles be followed during the visit but kept in mind when planning the photography session.

Friendship Hill National Historic Site grounds are opened to the public from sunrise until sunset.

• If you have any questions, please consult the section “Ensuring filming or still photography is compliant” below.

 

Filming

• May require a permit

  • If it is necessary to manage the activity to protect park resources and values while minimizing conflict between user groups or to ensure public safety.

  • Examples of filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, and student filming. In most cases, a permit is not necessary for regular visitors engaging in casual filming.

  • If you are filming groups of less than eight people, a permit may not be necessary. Any group over eight individual heartbeats will require a permit.

Are Video filmers still required to pay fees to film in parks?

A non-refundable $50 application fee is necessary for any permit request. Permits will be necessary if the group involved in the filming is greater than eight people or you have any props or models.

If you need help determining if your activity requires a permit, please reach out to our Special Use Permit Coordinator!

 

Still Photography

Still photography may be done at Friendship Hill National Historic Site by both visitors and paid photographers. However, a permit is required if any of the following are needed:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or

2. the activity uses model(s)*, set(s)**, or prop(s)**/*** that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or

3. the park service would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

*Model means: “a person or object that serves as the subject for commercial filming or still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products, placed on agency lands so that they may be filmed or photographed to promote the sale or use of a product or service. For the purposes of this part, portrait subjects such as wedding parties and high school graduates are not considered models, if the image will not be used to promote or sell a product or service”. (43 CFR 5.12)

**Sets and props means: “items constructed or placed on agency lands to facilitate commercial filming or still photography including, but not limited to, backdrops, generators, microphones, stages, lighting banks, camera tracks, vehicles specifically designed to accommodate camera or recording equipment, rope and pulley systems, and rigging for climbers and structures. Sets and props also include trained animals and inanimate objects, such as camping equipment, campfires, wagons, and so forth, when used to stage a specific scene. The use of a camera on a tripod, without the use of any other equipment, is not considered a prop”. (43 CFR 5.12)

***A bride holding a bouquet or a child holding a pumpkin is not a prop. The use of items such as: furniture, chairs, flowers, stands, stools in conjunction with other items may be considered creating a set.

 

Audio Recording

Generally, if you are recording nature noises for background noise with handheld equipment, have less than eight persons in your group and not disrupting any site visitors, a permit is typically not required.

If you need large, bulky equipment on stands or tripods, if you are asking to record in an area generally closed to the public, if you ask visitors to stay out of an area to catch a particular sound, or if your group has more than eight persons, a permit will likely be required. If you are planning to record a performance, instrumental, vocal or performance, a special events permit is necessary.

When in doubt, the best thing to do is check with the rangers by calling 724-329-2501 or reach out to the Special Use Permit Coordinator.

 

Downloads

• NPS 10-931 Short
• NPS 10-932 Long

Application Forms

You can download applications for Film, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permits here. We strongly suggest you contact the park before submitting the non-refundable application fee.

 

Special Allowances for Permitted Weddings at Friendship Hill

The rules and regulations listed above apply for all wedding party photoshoots. However, weddings that are held at Friendship Hill National Historic Site and have been issued a Special Use Permit, there are some allowances:

1. All of what is written above is to be followed unless explicitly written in this section.

2. Two (2) vehicles may be allowed to be parked in the parking lot on the knoll for the photoshoot, the rest must be parked in the main visitor parking lot. The first allowed vehicle is for the photographer, the other is to be used to shuttle any party members or for vehicle access to a disabled person. Large vehicles such as limousines or “party buses” are not allowed on the historic knoll as the parking lot is small with very little room to turn around.

3. Photos may not be taken inside the Gallatin House.

Ensuring filming, still photography, and audio recording are compliant

If you have any questions about filming, still photography, or audio recording rules and regulations, or will require a Special Use Permit, please call 724-329-2501. You can also e-mail the Special Use Permit Coordinator or Site Manager.