Post on 23-Feb-2016
description
A C A S E S T U D Y I N N A S H V I L L E
Making Fort Negley Accessible
Zada LawPublic History Ph.D. ProgramMiddle Tennessee State University
Tennessee Association of Museums Annual Conference March 21-23, 2012 - Memphis, Tennessee
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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
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What about Archaeology?
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Fort Negley
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Civil War Construction
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WPA reconstruction
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Re-opening 2004
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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
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Accessibility to sally port
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Experience fort without the walk
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Physical comfort
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Archaeological integrity
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Floating Boardwalks
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Signage
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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.
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Resources & acknowledgementsADA 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
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