Physical Access to Museum Buildings
Our campus re-creates a historical seafaring village and working waterfront, including dirt roads, cobblestone walkways, wooden gangways, and shell surfaces that make traveling throughout parts of the campus difficult for some visitors. Buildings are reconstructed or maintained in their original 18th- or 19th-century form often having several entrance steps, narrow doorways and hallways, and other physical barriers.
Mystic Seaport has made significant effort to improve the handicap accessibility on the grounds. Currently, about one-third of the exhibit buildings are wheelchair accessible to the front door. However, interior access does vary. Further improvements to expand handicap accessibility are planned for the future and continue to be implemented as possible.
The list below outlines each of our historic buildings, vessels, and exhibit spaces’ entryways.
Please note: the list below is designed to provide an overview of access to various locations throughout the Museum grounds. This in no way indicates accessibility as defined by current State or Federal regulations. The Museum is a reproduced 19th-century village and roadways, buildings, and accessways are portrayed in as authentic a manner as possible. Mystic Seaport is working on enhancing accessibility in a variety of ways while maintaining the authenticity of the Museum experience.
Key
 |
Accessible |
Entrance accessible via ramp or incline. Interior access varies. Note: accessibility does not indicate entrance meets current ADA regulations; only that a wheelchair or stroller can reach the location/exhibit entryway via ramp or ground level entry. |
++ |
Limited Access |
One or two steps. Assistance may be needed and helpful. |
+++ |
Difficult Access |
Three or more steps; narrow doorways; cobblestone walk; gangways with wood battens |
S |
Seasonal Staff |
Interpretation staff available seasonally |
F |
Full-Time Staff |
Staffed during Museum hours |
SHIPYARD EXHIBITS |
Map |
Building |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
51 |
Shiplift |
 |
S |
Outdoor; ground level |
50 |
Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard |
 |
S |
Ground-level access to view interior work in progress |
|
Shipyard Gallery |
+++ |
S |
Entrances at both ends of exhibit have multiple flights of stairs |
49 |
Shipbuilding Exhibit |
 |
|
Ground level; 38″ doorway |
|
Shipyard Restroom |
++ |
|
Behind shipbuilding exhibit; 2 steps; 34″ doorway |
<Back to Top>
HISTORIC and VISITING VESSELS; WATERCRAFT |
Map |
Vessels |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
|
L.A. Dunton, 1921 |
+++ |
F |
Gangway with wood battens; Multiple steps down to deck. |
50 |
Sabino, 1908 |
 |
S |
Temporarily in Shipyard Gallery undergoing restoration. The ship is expected to return to her berth in summer 2016. |
29 |
Joseph Conrad, 1882 |
+++ |
F |
Gangway with wood battens; Multiple steps down to deck. |
|
Charles W. Morgan, 1841 |
+++ |
F |
Gangway with wood battens; Multiple steps down to deck. |
|
Brilliant, 1932 |
 |
S |
Brilliant Dock located at Lighthouse Point at ground level. Access to vessel for sailing program participants only. |
|
Visiting Vessels |
+++ |
|
Gangway with wood battens
Note: public access to vessels varies with each vessel and by visit. |
|
Shuttle – South End |
+++ |
S |
Gangway with wood battens access to docks |
|
Shuttle – North End |
+++ |
S |
Gangway with wood battens access to docks |
|
Other Watercraft |
 |
|
For exterior viewing only. Viewing areas at ground level. |
<Back to Top>
VILLAGE EXHIBITS |
Map |
Exhibits |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
48 |
Thomas Oyster House |
 |
|
Wooden ramp |
47 |
Mystic River Scale Model |
 |
|
Wooden side ramp; Front access 5 steps; 60″ doorway |
36 |
Lobster Shack |
 |
|
Side ramp |
37 |
Life Saving Station |
 |
|
60+” front ramp |
|
Halfway House |
 |
|
Ground level |
38 |
John Gardner Boat Shop |
 |
S |
Side ramp; front access 3 steps; 31″ doorway |
38 |
Toy Boats activity (seasonal) |
++ |
S |
2 steps; 31″ doorway |
35 |
Salmon Shack |
+++ |
|
3 steps |
34 |
Schooner Australia Exhibit |
 |
|
Ground level entryway; 32″ doorway |
33 |
Boathouse |
 |
S |
Front ramp (weather permitting); side entrance 4 steps |
|
Marine Railway |
 |
|
Dirt pathway with open viewing |
32 |
Tom Clagett Boat Shed |
 |
|
Open air gathering; shell surface |
30 |
Mystic Seaport Sailing Center |
+++ |
S |
4 steps |
28 |
Small Boat Exhibit: Catboats |
 |
|
Ground level; 35″ doorway |
27 |
Ropewalk |
+++ |
|
5 steps; 36″ doorway |
26 |
Sail Loft/Rigging Loft |
+++ |
|
4 steps; 35″ doorway; Internal stairs to access |
26 |
Chandlery |
 |
S |
Ground level; 65″ doorway |
25 |
Clam Shack |
++ |
|
Small step to wooden dock |
24 |
Shipsmith Shop |
++ |
F |
1 step; Double doorway entry opened seasonally/weather permitting. |
23 |
Nautical Instrument Shop |
 |
F |
Side ramp with 35″ doorway; Front access 5 steps 31″ doorway |
|
Fire Engine Garage |
++ |
|
1 step |
22 |
Hoop Shop |
+++ |
|
4 steps; 60″ doorway |
40 |
Shipcarver’s Shop |
+++ |
S |
31″ doorway; 60″ doorway opened seasonally/weather permitting |
21 |
Mystic Print Shop |
+++ |
F |
4 steps; 35″ doorway |
20 |
Middle Wharf |
 |
|
Ground level; Wooden wharf |
19 |
Burrows House |
+++ |
|
3 steps; 36″ doorway |
18 |
Cooperage |
+++ |
F |
4 steps; 32″ side and front doorway |
41 |
Drug Store |
 |
S |
Side wooden ramp; 3 steps front entry; 50″ doorway |
17 |
Bank |
++ |
|
2 steps; 36″ doorway |
17 |
Shipping Office
(upstairs Bank) |
+++ |
|
Large flight wooden stairs |
15 |
Whaleboat Exhibit |
 |
|
Ground level; Shell surfacing; 30″ doorway |
14 |
Chubb’s Wharf |
 |
|
Ground level, Shell surfacing |
42 |
Seamen’s Friend Society |
 |
S |
3 steps front entry; Side ramp; 32″ doorway |
46 |
Discovery Barn (seasonal) |
 |
S |
60″ wooden ramp |
43 |
Stone’s General Store |
+++ |
F |
3 steps; 32″ doorway |
44 |
School House |
+++ |
|
3 steps; 32″ doorway |
45 |
Chapel |
++ |
|
2 steps; 59″ doorway |
11 |
Buckingham-Hall House |
+++ |
F |
Front entry large stone walk way 38″ doorway; Back ramp 41″ entry stone walkway before reaching ramp |
13 |
Performance Stage |
 |
S |
Ground level |
10 |
Children’s Museum |
 |
F |
Side ramp with 32″ doorway; Front entry 5 steps |
9 |
Treworgy Planetarium |
 |
F |
60″ doorway; Side ramp |
9 |
Campbell Room/Howell Classroom (below Planetarium) |
+++ |
|
Descending stone staircase; 37″ doorway |
8 |
Thomas Greenman House |
+++ |
|
3 steps; 34″ doorway |
8 |
Thomas Greenman Bathroom Annex |
 |
|
36″ doorway |
7 |
Playscapes |
|
|
Ground level but not designed for handicap accessibility |
38 |
Toy Boat Building |
 |
F |
Outside annex ground level (seasonal); 3 steps 27″ doorway |
31 |
Brant Point replica Lighthouse |
 |
|
Ramp to exhibit; 35″ doorway; 32″ interior doorway |
39 |
Art Spot |
+++ |
S |
3 steps; 31″ doorway (seasonal) |
<Back to Top>
EXHIBIT GALLERIES |
Map |
Buildings |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
6 |
Stillman Building |
 |
F |
Ground level; 34″ doorway; Elevator in building |
5 |
Wendell Building |
 |
|
Ground level; 36″ doorway |
4 |
C.D. Mallory Building |
 |
F |
Side ramp; 44″ doorway |
4 |
P.R. Mallory Building |
 |
F |
Ground level; 36″ doorway through the Mallory Building; 3 steps direct access |
3 |
Greenmanville Church |
 |
|
Side ramp 36″ doorway; 4 step front entry |
2 |
R.J. Schaefer Building |
 |
F |
Side ramp 42″ doorway |
1 |
Thompson Exhibition Building |
 |
F |
Side ramp 42″ doorway |
<Back to Top>
SHOPPING |
Building |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
Museum Store & Book Store |
 |
F |
Ramp 60″ doorway to main floor; Book Store located on Second floor stair access only. |
Maritime Gallery |
 |
F |
Ramp at VRC |
Variety Store |
+++ |
S |
5 steps; 36″ doorway |
<Back to Top>
DINING |
Building |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
Latitude 41° Restaurant |
 |
F |
Rear ramp with automated doorway; 4 steps front access |
Café & Bake Shop |
 |
F |
Entry through Store via ramp; Front small bluestone walkway with 3-step entry |
The Galley Restaurant (seasonal) |
 |
S |
Front ramp; Internal ramp to restrooms and upper order area |
Spouter Tavern (seasonal) |
++ |
S |
Outside seasonal eating area – shell surfaced ground level; 2 step 31″ doorway |
<Back to Top>
ADMINISTRATIVE and OTHER BUILDINGS |
Building |
Access |
Staffed |
Description |
Visitor Reception Center |
 |
F |
Wooden ramp |
Navigation Station |
 |
S |
Ground-level access |
Dock Office |
 |
S |
Ground level |
Security/First Aid |
++ |
F |
2 steps |
Membership Building |
++ |
F |
Stone steps; 34″ entry |
Collections & Research Center |
 |
S |
Side ramp 36″ doorway; Front access six steps 36″ doorway |
North End Restrooms |
 |
S |
Ramp; 35″ doorway |
<Back to Top>
Please note: the list above is designed to provide an overview of access to various locations throughout the Museum grounds. This in no way indicates accessibility as defined by current State or Federal regulations only that a wheelchair or stroller can reach the location/exhibit entryway via ramp or ground level entry. The Museum is a replica 19th-century village and roadways, buildings, and access ways are portrayed in as authentic a manner as possible. Mystic Seaport works to enhance accessibility while maintaining the authenticity of the Museum experience.