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Tennessee Association of Museums Annual Conference March 21-23, 2012 - Memphis, Tennessee. Making Fort Negley Accessible. A Case study in Nashville. Zada Law Public History Ph.D. Program Middle Tennessee State University. Accessibility at Historic Sites.
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Tennessee Association of Museums Annual Conference March 21-23, 2012 - Memphis, Tennessee Making Fort Negley Accessible A Case study in Nashville Zada Law Public History Ph.D. Program Middle Tennessee State University
Accessibility at Historic Sites • Americans With Disabilities Act passed in 1990 • Accessibility is a civil right • Historic sites / house museums not exempted – but… • ADA compliance does not require actions that threaten or destroy historic significance - BUT… • Must consider feasible alternatives and innovative solutions for providing access
What about Archaeology? Fort Negley
Accessibility approach • Review for historic significance • Assess existing and required levels of accessibility • Develop solutions to provide accessibility & maintain historic integrity – including integrity of archaeology
Lessons learned • Making historic properties accessible is complex, but with careful planning and creativeness, even archaeological integrity of a property can be maintained while providing accessibility • Accessible features such as ramps and eye-level signage can be design features and not scream out “accessibility” and can provide a good visitor experience for all. • Taking visitor comfort such as getting tired and needing directions and the plaza for congregation for a group can be part of the design makes visitor experience more physical comfortable and better for all.
Resources & acknowledgements ADA regulations http://www.ada.gov/regs20 10/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf Universal Design - Whole Building Design Guide, National Institute of Building Sciences • http://www.wbdg.org/design/historic_pres.php • Nashville Metro Parks • Nashville Metro Historical Commission • Moody-Nolan Architects – Nashville • Carol Ashworth Landscape Design • DuVall & Associates Archaeology