March 27, 2017

This season, Heritage Museums & Gardens will provide visitors with new offerings that enhance accessibility, deepen engagement, and ensure Heritage is welcoming to all. These offerings include a new parking garden with close bus drop-off and pick-up and ramp-accessible sidewalks, environmentally friendly transport for those with mobility challenges, and free admission to EBT holders.

As part of a national program, Museums for All, which Heritage joined this spring, Heritage will admit, at no charge, individuals and families who present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and a valid photo ID, for up to four individuals per EBT card.  The program will be in effect during the regular season.

Museums for All, a cooperative initiative between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Association of Children’s Museums aimed at making museums accessible, offers a signature access program to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.

“From the moment visitors arrive, our goal is to provide a welcoming, accessible environment to anyone who wishes to visit so they can fully engage with our 100 beautiful acres, renowned exhibits, and family-strengthening programs and events,” said Ellen Spear, President and CEO. “This season’s new offerings represent the launch of creating a welcoming Heritage experience that will provide broad access.

“We are pleased to join museums from across the United States in this program, providing free admission to underserved communities for the purpose of strengthening families through the joy of exploration and discovery,” said Spear.

Heritage also participates in a library pass program that provides passes at a deep discount, available at 50 local libraries.

In addition, thanks to a generous grant from Betsy Heald of West Falmouth, through the Gordon T. Heald Fun of The Cape Cod Foundation, this season Heritage will offer visitors with mobility challenges accessible transport. The $20,000 grant has been used to purchase an environmentally friendly electric vehicle with solar panels that will hold passengers and wheelchairs. The vehicle has a ramp attached for on-boarding wheelchair users, is outfitted with handles and running boards for easy access.

“Our 100 acres of nature trails, woodlands, and gardens offer varied terrain, which can pose challenges for some,” said Spear.  “We are deeply appreciative of Mrs. Heald’s support, which will increase accessibility for visitors and, with its solar-power option, further our commitment to sustainability.”

“I am so happy that this fund at the Cape Cod Foundation, which my husband Gordon created before he died, is able to provide this accessible vehicle for Heritage,” said Mrs. Heald. “More visitors can now enjoy all that Heritage has to offer.”