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

2

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

3/22/2012

3

What about Archaeology?

3/22/2012

Fort Negley

4

Civil War Construction

3/22/2012

5

WPA reconstruction

3/22/2012

6

Re-opening 2004

3/22/2012

7

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

3/22/2012

8

Accessibility to sally port

3/22/2012

9

Experience fort without the walk

3/22/2012

10

Physical comfort

3/22/2012

11

Archaeological integrity

3/22/2012

12

Floating Boardwalks

3/22/2012

13

Signage

3/22/2012

14

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.

3/22/2012

15

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

3/22/2012