Making Fort Negley Accessible

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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