>Hi Tom.  I've been meaning to call you an haven't had a chance but your
>posting on Museum-L reminded me of this new handy communication system (I
>love e-mail).
>
>How was ALHFAM?  I was so sorry I couldn't go.  It's the first one I've
>missed since I started going.  Steve and I got married in May and we're
>still catching up.  A trip to Virginia would have put us over the edge
>(financially and mentally).
>
>I'm in the middle of a last ditch effort to actually get my M.A.  I
>recently changed my thesis topic to a subject that was a little more
>interesting to me.  I am doing a case study of MSHP to talk about
>accessibility for visitors with disabilities at historic sites.  One of
>the chapters focuses on access issues particular to historic sites.  I
>want to include a couple of examples where sites have been creative in
>finding ways to balance access with historic preservation but also
>accuracy for living history.  The one good example I have is the earthen
>ramps that Sturbridge uses.  I'm looking for another example of a nifty
>solution.  Do you have any ideas or know people I might talk to?  Did
>anything fun come up at ALHFAM?
>
>I'm hoping to finish this draft by the beginning of July.  Nothing like a
>little last minute pressure to get the creative juices going.  Thanks for
>your help.
>
>Lisa Craig Brisson, Museum Educator
>Mackinac State Historic Parks
>(616) 436-7301
>[log in to unmask]

Lisa,

I too am sorry I missed ALHFAM.  Houston last year was a hoot.  We have
ramps at our outdoor component, the Ranching Heritage Center.  All but one
is really non-period.  Our 1850s dog-run log house has a wooden plank ramp,
but it does not really look out of place, given that the floor of the
structure is also wooden plank.  It's out of period but blends well.  Most
of out structures don't require ramps, being single-story.  Also, visitors
look into the structures, rather than go in.  Most are too small and
cramped to allow visitors inside.

Do you ever have fun with your institution's acronym?  MSHP (mishap)?

*****************************************
Henry B. Crawford        Curator of History
[log in to unmask]     Museum of Texas Tech University
806/742-2442           Box 43191
FAX 742-1136             Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
               WEBSITE: http://www.ttu.edu/~museum
***********   "Shaken . . . not stirred"   ***********