tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400689295697249280.post5303507970307968763..comments2024-03-22T13:21:29.168-04:00Comments on I'm Living History: Not Universally AccessibleAlenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05653469207935707496noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400689295697249280.post-86659608886483547602014-02-04T17:35:40.398-05:002014-02-04T17:35:40.398-05:00This is a critical issue: how to satisfy two confl...This is a critical issue: how to satisfy two conflicting goals, authenticity and access. <br />I think you might want to work with a landscape architect or planner who can look at the contours and drainage of your site. Maybe re-laying your paths with different beds or layers underneath would help; maybe you need a well-placed (hidden?) drainage ditch alongside the paths. <br /><br />For immediate use, and on a scale that doesn't involve backhoes, grants, pemits and hardhats, I have seen some water-sucking wonders of late (ride-on power wet vacs that vacuum water out of carpets!). <br /><br />Grainger has a PDF catalog of Dayton vacuums: http://www.grainger.com/tps/cleaning_dayton_industrial_commercial_wet_dry_vacuums.pdf though the whine is non-period.<br /> <br />For a period solution, what about straw in the puddles? You probably do this already, but it's always good to update your website/blog/FB pages to reflect current ground conditions (a picture helps) and add a note that "sturdy walking shoes are strongly encouraged." Places like Longwood Garden and other arboreta must deal with this-- you might try asking a botanical site open to the public. I think it's an issue at Van Cortland house; maybe they have good ideas, too.<br /><br />Sorry about the length...I spend a lot of time on facilities at work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4400689295697249280.post-71576643804850708982014-02-04T12:57:00.698-05:002014-02-04T12:57:00.698-05:00I must say I'm torn on this issue. Although I&...I must say I'm torn on this issue. Although I'm not against some non-historical improvements of things like: limited boardwalks, brick paving or ramps on back/alternate entrances, much past that the point of having a historical space starts to get eroded. To my mind, part of the reason to go to a historical museum is to learn about and experience life as the original inhabitants knew it. Yes, that means walking/slipping on icy, muddy roads walkways, smelling horse and cow manure, and realizing "room temperature" wasn't 68 deg during the winter. And yes, that means not everyone will be able to participate in the experience.Gobaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756565158489264024noreply@blogger.com