This planning study lays the groundwork for accessibility improvements at four historic house museums in Maine – Castle Tucker, Nickels-Sortwell House, Hamilton House, and Sarah Orne Jewett House.
Historic New England staff worked with Design Associates, Inc. and Mohr & Serendin Landscape Architects to evaluate existing conditions at the four sites and to develop recommendations for short- and long-term improvements that can improve each site’s accessibility while maintaining its historic fabric and locally and nationally significant character.
The team’s final report offers solutions for improving the visitor experience and recommends both minor and major projects to achieve an optimal level of accessibility for all visitors. The report will be used internally to guide conversation and decision-making on accessibility improvements and to support additional fundraising for larger accessibility projects. Although this project focused on the four properties included in the planning study, the approach is relevant to all stewards of house museums.
As Historic New England works to make its own sites more accessible, we are committed to sharing our results as accessibility examples for other organizations.
The project was supported in part by the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Sign up to our newsletter for our latest news and events
