Accessibility

The NHA is committed to ensuring that its facilities, exhibitions, and events are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.

We recognize that the 17th, 18th, and 19th-century architecture of many of our sites may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities and we work hard to ensure guests with disabilities have a wonderful and inclusive experience. Interpreters in the Historic Sites will be glad to provide directions to accessible areas, and we are prepared to make accommodations as needed.

If you have specific needs, please let us know in advance by contacting [email protected] or 508-228-1894, ext. 117.

Service animals are welcome at all NHA locations. We follow the Federal government’s guidelines on service animals. The NHA welcomes dogs that are individually trained to perform a task or work for a person with a disability, but please leave pets at home.

Museum Admission | Getting to the Museum | Accessible Entrances and Physical Access | Accessible Restrooms, Quiet/Nursing Rooms | Sensory Access | Blind/Low Vision | Deaf/Hard of Hearing | Service Animals | Strollers | Language

Visiting The Whaling Museum and Historic Properties

Museum Admission

  • Whaling Museum tickets can be purchased in advance here: TICKETS
  • Visitors may also purchase tickets at the front desk at 13 Broad Street. Visitors will be given a sticker, which allows re-entry for that day’s visit. Whaling Museum admission includes a one-time entry to the Hadwen House (96 Main Street)
  • Active-Duty Military + up to 5 guests are always free.
  • Veterans + 1 are $5.00 each admission.
  • The NHA is a participating partner in the Card to Culture program (Free admission to EBT/WIC/Connect Care holders).
  • Massachusetts Teachers receive free admission.
  • For more information about ticketing, visit the Plan Your Visit Page

Getting to the Museum

Options for traveling to Nantucket and tips for getting around the island can be found at the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce website.

Accessible Entrances and Physical Access

The following entrances are wheelchair accessible, step-free.

Whaling Museum (13 Broad Street)

  • Exhibitions are accessible for wheelchairs, most public areas of the Museum can be reached by elevator or lift
  • Automatic Doors
  • Elevator to all three floors, including roof walk
  • Accessible Lift in Lower Candle Factory
  • Discovery Center Ramp Entrance inside the Whaling Museum Lower Candle Factory
  • Discovery Center Exterior Ramp Entrance via Broad Street (Ask front desk for assistance)
  • Peter Foulger Building Entrance Ramp
Wheelchair Rental:
  • Manual wheelchairs are available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Visitors can request a wheelchair at the front desk from Visitor Service staff

Hadwen House, 96 Main Street

  • The Hadwen House has limitations due to authentic 19th-century architecture.
  • The public spaces of the house are entered from a path with two steps and the front porch, which has three steps with a handrail.
  • The Hadwen House is wheelchair accessible on the first floor. An elevator lift is available for use through the back garden entrance from Pleasant Street. The second floor of Hadwen House is NOT wheelchair accessible at this time.

Friends Meeting House

  • NOT wheelchair accessible
  • The interior of the meeting house is viewable, accessed from two steps from the Research Library (wheelchair accessible via ground level entrance off Ray’s Court)
Research Library, 7 Fair Street

*The Research Library elevator is currently out of order and therefore, not accessible.

  • The Fair St. Research Library is accessible by wheelchair.
  • All public floors can be reached by elevator. Wheelchair access is via a ground-level entrance off of Ray’s Court.
  • If you have mobility and/or access concerns, please contact us in advance of your visit, and we can help make arrangements.

Greater Light, 8 Howard Street

  • The public part of the house is wheelchair-accessible.
  • The gardens are not wheelchair-accessible and are reached via a short gravel path and three stone steps with a secure handrail.

Old Jail, 15R Vestal Street

  • The Old Jail House has limitations due to its authentic 18th-century architecture and is not wheelchair-accessible. Steep stairs and narrow doorways may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities.
  • There is a wheelchair-accessible kiosk with information about this historic site.

Oldest House (22 Sunset Hill)

  • The Oldest House has limitations due to its authentic 17th-century architecture and is not wheelchair-accessible.
  • The first floor is entered through two steps and a wide door. Steep stairs to the second level may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities.
  • The property has gentle slopes, and the garden is wheelchair accessible.

Old Mill (50 Prospect Street)

  • The Old Mill has limitations due to its authentic 18th-century architecture, and the building is not wheelchair-accessible.
  • There is a considerable grass slope leading up to the mill.
  • Tall steps and narrow doorways may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities.

Accessible Restrooms, Quiet/Nursing Rooms

Whaling Museum

  • Accessible Restroom on 1st floor of Whaling Museum at timeline.
  • Accessible Gender-Neutral Restrooms are located outside the Discovery Center.
  • “Quiet Corner” for nursing families and/or space for sensory needs.

Research Library/Friends Meeting House (7 Fair Street)

  • Restrooms are on the first floor of the Whitney Gallery and on the ground level. The ground-level restroom is wheelchair accessible.
  • A wheelchair-accessible restroom is located on the ground floor of the Research Library, accessible via a ground-level entrance off of Ray’s Court. Please contact library staff in advance to arrange access.

Hadwen House

  • 1st Floor accessible restroom available by taking lift from garden.

Greater Light

  • Wheelchair accessible restroom is located on the first floor of the house for visitors

Oldest House, Old Mill, Old Jail

  • No public Restrooms

Sensory Access

  • A Social Narrative provides step-by-step information about what it’s like visiting the Whaling Museum. If you would like to learn more about what to expect for your visit, email: [email protected] or call 508-228-1894 ext. 117
  • Available in both English and Spanish by clicking here.
  • Quiet Corner- In the Discovery Center – can be used as a nursing room or calming room if someone in your group is experiencing sensory overload or feeling overwhelmed due to sensory stimulation
    • Please come to the lobby front desk to pick up the key.
    • Children must be supervised by an adult.
    • Maximum capacity: 4
    • Recommended Time: 30 Minutes
  • Sensory Bags are available to help individuals reduce stress and gain focus. Headphones and fidget toys included. Visitors can reserve sensory bags at the front desk.

Blind/Low Vision

Whaling Museum

  • Audio Tours available at the Whaling Museum
  • Sensory Smelling Table of Historic Industries
  • Timeline: Hands-on touch Models of Historic Sites
  • Live presentations led by Museum Guides: Life Aboard a Whaleship, Tragic Story of the Essex, Highlights of Nantucket History
    • Digital Interactives in Gosnell Hall with sound
    • Life Aboard the Edward Cary
    • Whale Skeleton

Hadwen House

  • Audio Tour available
  • Live interpretive tours led by Museum Guides

Oldest House, Old Mill, Old Jail, Greater Light

  • Live interpretive tours led by Museum Guides in season

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Whaling Museum

  • Assisted Listening Devices available for Candle Factory Theater and Gosnell Hall Programs
  • Closed Captions on all NHA Movies and Digital Interactives
  • Radio Transmitters for Walking Tours

Service Animals

  • Service animals are welcome to visit all NHA properties.
  • We follow the Federal Government’s Guidelines on service animals.
  • The NHA welcomes dogs that are individually trained to perform a task or work for a person with a disability, but please leave pets at home.

Strollers

  • Strollers are welcome throughout the Whaling Museum and Historic Properties
  • Visitors with strollers should enter through an Accessible Entrance.
  • We encourage visitors to park large wagons and double strollers in lobby area or other designated areas

Language

  • Recorded Audio Tour of Whaling Museum available in English and Spanish
  • Text of Audio Tour available in French
  • Whaling Museum Program Scripts in Spanish
    • Life Aboard a Whaleship
    • Wampanoag Tour
    • Notable Women Tour

The NHA preserves, interprets, and shares the diverse stories of Nantucket and its people with all audiences through its collections, properties, programs, and research.

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