Accessibility at Spring Hill
Everyone is welcome!
Spring Hill Historic Home and Underground Railroad Site is committed to welcoming all visitors and providing a meaningful, engaging experience for everyone who visits. We also recognize that every visitor’s needs are different. We do not want to make assumptions about what a visitor can or cannot do. Instead, we welcome conversations about individual needs and how we can help make a visit to Spring Hill as meaningful and comfortable as possible.
Planning Your Visit
We want you to have the information you need to decide what will work best for you and your group before you arrive.
Know Before You Go:
Parking & Arrival
- Accessible parking is available in front of the carriage house and in a side lot near the main historic house.
- Routes from parking to historic buildings include uneven surfaces and changes in elevation.
- Visitors needing assistance with arrival are encouraged to contact us in advance.
House
- The historic house is not currently wheelchair accessible.
- The house includes stairs, narrow historic doorways, uneven floors, and limited space in some rooms.
- Seating is available in designated areas and during programs.
- Staff will provide alternative ways to experience the home’s history when portions of the house cannot be physically accessed.
Grounds
- The property includes lawns, pathways, and uneven outdoor surfaces.
- Conditions may vary with weather.
- Seating is available in designated areas and during programs.
Restrooms
- A portable handicap restroom is placed and the southeast corner of our parking lot.
- A one-person restroom is located on the first floor of the main farmhouse.
- There is a step up and a step down to enter the restroom, or it can be accessed from an adjoining room with level-grounded entry.
- The restroom is large enough for two people (i.e. a caregiver, assistant, parent with a child.)
- The sink has a widened countertop, which can be used as baby changing table.
- Please contact us before your visit with specific restroom accessibility questions.
Service Animals
- Service animals are welcome in accordance with the ADA .
- Service animals must remain under the control of their handler.
- Visitors should be aware of stairs, uneven surfaces, and other historic-site conditions.
Sensory, Cognitive, & Developmental Disability
- Visitors, families, caregivers, and support professionals are encouraged to contact us in advance to discuss individual needs.
- We will work with visitors whenever possible to create a comfortable and meaningful experience.
- Sensory Kits available.
- Headphones available.
Accessibility conditions can vary throughout the property, including between the historic house, grounds, and other buildings. If you have questions about navigating the site or would like to discuss your individual needs before your visit, please contact us in advance. Our staff will be happy to talk with you about the property and help determine what options may be available.
We encourage visitors to let us know about accessibility needs when making reservations for themselves, group visits, educational programs, or special events so that we can make reasonable preparations whenever possible.
Creating Access Beyond the Physical Space
As a historic property, Spring Hill presents some physical accessibility challenges. The historic buildings were constructed long before modern accessibility standards and, because of their age and historic character, the main historic house and other historic structures are not fully wheelchair accessible. The property includes stairs, uneven surfaces, narrow doorways, and other architectural features that may make portions of the site difficult or impossible for some visitors to access.
We believe, however, that physical access to every room is not the only way to experience and connect with history. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded experience for each guest, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental disability.
Depending on the program or visit, accessibility may include:
- Alternative ways to experience portions of the historic property when a visitor cannot physically enter a particular space.
- Audio or visual resources that provide historical information.
- Written materials and interpretive information that allow visitors to engage with the history at their own pace.
- Seating or opportunities to rest during tours and programs when available.
- Clear information about the physical conditions of the property so visitors can plan ahead.
- Accommodations for specific programs when arrangements can be made in advance.
- Partnerships with community organizations and accessibility professionals to expand inclusive programming and services.
Help Us Make Spring Hill More Welcoming
Accessibility is an important part of our ongoing work as a museum and historic site. We welcome feedback from visitors with disabilities and from those who help support or advocate for them. If you have suggestions about how we can improve accessibility, or if you would like to discuss an upcoming visit, please contact us at 330-833-6749 or email director@springhillhistorichome.org
