Accessibility Information

Accessibility at Keweenaw National Historical Park

Keweenaw National Historical Park is committed to providing all visitors the opportunity to connect with and learn about the park's unique, natural, cultural and recreational resources.
We interpret the story of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We accomplish this through partnerships with 22 Keweenaw Heritage Sites. Due to our park's unique organization accessibility varies from site to site.

The National Park Service operates on two units:

• The Calumet Unit includes park headquarters, the Keweenaw History Center and the Calumet Visitor Center. It also encompasses the National Historic District of the village of Calumet and parts of Calumet township.

• The Quincy Unit includes portions of the Quincy Mining Company operations area. The Quincy Mine Hoist Association, a not-for-profit and Keweenaw Heritage Site Partner, owns and operates the property including mine tours.

Emails addressing specific accessibility questions can be directed to: kewe_information@nps.gov. Please include "Accessibility" in the subject line.

Keweenaw Heritage Sites are operated by partner organizations. Accessibility may vary by site. Call ahead to specific sites for more information.

General Accessibility Information

Weather

• The Keweenaw Peninsula may experience winter weather from October through April. This may affect site hours and accessibility. Be sure to check operation hours and call ahead for more information.

Calumet Visitor Center

Parking

• Two accessible parking spaces are located in the Visitor Center parking lot on the North side of the building.
  • The parking spaces are 110 feet from the front entrance and 200 feet from the accessible side entrance.
  • There is one automatic door located on the South face of the building.

Building Access/Navigating Your Experience

• The Visitor Center operates on three floors in an historic building.
  • Stairs and an elevator allow visitors to reach all floors.
• There are a total of five bathrooms:
  • 1 male multi-use
  • 1 female multi-use
  • 3 single-use, may be preferred for visitors who require assistance.
• Additional seating can be found throughout the Calumet Visitor Center.
• Lights and volumes of exhibit spaces are not adjustable.
• Several exhibits throughout feature interactive elements that require visitors to lift, pull or press buttons to access interpretive materials.
• Audio description devices are available upon request at the Welcome Desk.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in any park buildings unless they are service animals. For more information about service animals, please visit the site for ADA requirements for service animals.

Virtual Tours

Assess various locations around the Keweenaw Peninsula for yourself in these immersive tours.

• Calumet Visitor Center

Popular Keweenaw Peninsula Locations & Heritage Sites:

• Visit Keweenaw Virtual Tours Landing Page

• *Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

• Brockway Mountain

• *Eagle Harbor Lighthouse

• Eagle River Falls

• McLain State Park

• Boston Pond Nature Area

• Hancock Beach

• Kestner Waterfront Park - City of Houghton

• Dee Stadium & History of Hockey Museum

• Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts

• *A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum

• Nara Nature Park

*Keweenaw Heritage Site
All virtual tours courtesy of Able Eyes virtual tour services.

Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP)

Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP) includes findings from the self-evaluation process, as well as a plan for improving accessibility parkwide.
The Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan resulted from the work of an NPS interdisciplinary team, including planning, design, and construction professionals; and interpretive, resource, visitor safety, maintenance, and accessibility specialists.
Site plans, photographs, and specific actions for identified park areas were developed. Associated time frames and implementation strategies were established to assist NPS park staff in scheduling and performing required actions and to document completed work. Park policies, practices, communication, and training needs were also addressed.
The goals of the plan are to:

1. Document existing park barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities.
2. Provide an effective approach for upgrading facilities, services, activities, and programs.
3. Instill a culture around creating universal access.

Physical / Mobility Access

Calumet Visitor Center

• Parking

  • Two accessibile parking spaces are located in the parking lot on 5th street. North of the Visitors Center.

• Building Access

  • The front entrance is 110 feet from the parking lot. The door is reached by ascending an 8 inch tall step.
  • The wheelchair accessible entrance with column push bar is on the south face of the building, 200 feet from the parking lot.

• Navigating Your Experience

  • A wheelchair is available for loan on a first come first serve basis.
  • Elevators provide access to all three floors.
  • Seating accompany audiovisual presentations. Additional seating areas are featured throughout the building.

• Restrooms

  • First floor men and women restrooms include accessible stall with grab bars.
  • Second and third floor restrooms are single use and include grab bars. These may be preferred for visitors who require assistance.
  • All restrooms are equipped with automatic fixtures: sinks, soap dispensers and hand towel dispensers.

Park Headquarters

• Parking

  • Accessible parking space is located adjacent to the entrance approximately 70 feet from the front door.

• Building Access

  • A wheelchair lift provides access to the first floor
  • An elevator provides access to the second floor

Keweenaw History Center

• An exterior stairway leads to the front door. An additional interior stairway leads to the first floor and reading room.
• The Keweenaw History Center is not currently accessible by wheelchair
  • Accommodations can be made for researchers to access materials at an appropriate location.

Deaf / Hearing Loss Access

Calumet Visitor Center

• Navigating Your Experience

  • All audiovisual elements are presented with open captions
  • All audio components are accompanied by print transcripts
  • Interpretive walking tours may feature amplified tour guides.
    • These are not fully accessible devices and serve only to increase tour guide volume, especially in loud environments.

Blindness / Low Vision Access

Calumet Visitor Center

• Building Access

  • The front entrance is 110 feet from the parking lot. The door is reached by an 8 inch step.
  • The wheelchair accessible entrance with column push bar is on the south face of the building, 200 feet from the parking lot.

• Navigating Your Experience

  • Braille copies of park brochure are available at the welcome desk.
  • Audio descriptions of exhibits are available at the welcome desk.
  • Braille signage are installed at doorways, elevators and several interpretive elements.
  • There are not tactile indicators on the floor in the Visitor Center.
  • Tactile maps are located on each floor.
    • 1st floor tactile map: Located at the section of the Welcome desk closest to the front entrance.
    • 2nd floor tactile map: Located to the right of the elevator door.
    • 3rd floor tactile map: Located on the wall to the right of the elevator door.
  • Tactile elements of our exhibits are located primarily in the director's office on the first floor and highlight geologic and geographic elements of the park.

• Amenities

  • Bathrooms, elevators, and other doors are indicated by braille signage
  • First floor restrooms include accessible stalls with grab bars.
  • Second and third floor restrooms are single use with grab bars.
  • All restrooms are equipped with automatic fixtures: sinks, soap dispensers and hand towel dispensers.
  • Water fountains are located next to the first floor bathrooms.
  • Benches and/or seats accompany each audiovisual presentation. Several additional benches are distributed throughout the Visitors Center.

Cognitive / Sensory Sensitivity Access

Calumet Visitor Center

• Navigating Your Experience

  • Volumes and lights cannot be adjusted by park staff.
  • Some areas of the Visitors Center include soundscapes that some visitors may find disorienting. These areas are motion activated.
    • The entrance to the second floor recreates the industrial landscape with the sounds of work whistles, industrial machinery and voices.
    • The entrance to the main gallery of the second floor features train whistles and voices.
    • The entrance to the faith area of the second floor includes simultaneous sounds of bell towers.
    • The home area on the second floor includes a radio that plays a medley of songs.