Access for All: Historical society reopens to the public, unveils new entrance ramp
Former trustee and stroke survivor Steven Radgowski at the Northport Historical Society and Museum’s grand reopening held earlier today. Seen here on the museum’s new entrance ramp, Radgowski was a key inspiration for the Access for All project. Photo by Olivia Allen.
The Northport Historical Society and Museum held its long-awaited grand reopening on Thursday, unveiling to the public its new “Access for All” entrance ramp and ADA-compliant restroom.
“This project is about people,” said Access for All Committee Chair Jim Munson. “Whether you’re in a wheelchair, a (parent) with a stroller or you have a walker… You can now access this building and learn about the beautiful, rich history of Northport.”
Access for All was funded by a 50% matching grant from the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation and community donations.
Trustee Munson worked closely with fellow committee members and Board President Carolyn P. Hyatt-Basche, Vice President Alan Vitters, Secretary Suzanne McGuire, George Abbale, Gregg Fenton, Joseph Schmitz, Thomas Stack and Dennis Tannenbaum, as well as Radon Construction and Thalheimer Architecture, throughout every phase of the renovation.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon Thursday was former trustee and stroke survivor Steven Radgowski, a key inspiration of the project.
“I remember clearly the day he told me it was his dream to (come back) into the museum he loved so much,” said museum director Terry Reid. The building was constructed as a library in 1914 using refunds from Andrew Carnegie, “because he believed [everyone] should have access to books and education,” Reid said.
“Yet the absence of an accessible entrance for decades undermined those values,” she continued, thanking all who made Access for All a reality.
To learn more about the museum and its current exhibits, visit www.northporthistorical.org.
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