ACCESSIBILITY

The Mount welcomes visitors of all abilities and backgrounds. As a participant in Mass Cultural Council’s Universal Participation (UP) initiative, we are committed to making our tours, exhibits, programs, and grounds accessible to as many people as possible. For more information about the UP program, please click here.

If you have further questions or would like to discuss any other accommodations necessary for your visit, please contact us at 413-551-5116 or by email at visit@edithwharton.org.

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What to expect:

Companions: 

• Caregivers: Caregivers are admitted to The Mount for both tours and programs free of charge.
• Service animals: The Mount welcomes ADA service animals for both tours and programs. Handlers are solely responsible for the care and control of their service animals, who must remain on-leash.

Getting around: 

• Terrain: The Mount’s grounds are made up of varied terrain, including rolling meadows, hills, wooded areas, paved paths, gravel paths, and mown lawn. The Italian Garden is accessible via ramp via the path to the right the Main House.
• Natural hazards: The grounds are open to the elements, wooded, have running or sitting water, and are home to wildlife. Visitors must be aware of the natural surroundings, including insects and bugs, wild animals, mud, water hazards, steep slopes, fallen and falling tree limbs, and loose and uneven surfaces.
• Mobility aids: Visitors are welcome to bring their own adaptive bikes, mobility scooters, or other mobility aids. Not all roads and pathways will be appropriate for all devices. Manual, indoor wheelchairs are available for complimentary use on a first-come, first-served basis. A manual, outdoor wheelchair is available for exploring the grounds, gardens, and woodchip paths by reservation only. If you are interested in reserving the outdoor wheelchair, read the section below. The Mount’s staff can help describe terrain and suggest accessible routes.
• Accessible parking: Accessible parking is available at the Parking Field, the Stable (for relevant programs), and Main House (for tours and relevant programs). The Main House is located ¼ mile down the driveway from the Parking Field, Admission Booth, and Stable.
• Accessible entrances: Both front and back entrances to the Stable are accessible. The accessible entrance to the Main House is located to the right of the Forecourt, adjacent to the accessible parking spaces. Two ADA-compliant ramps ensure access to the Event Tent across from the Stable.
• Accessible restrooms/changing tables: Gender-neutral, accessible restrooms are located in the Stable and on the first and second floors of the Main House across from the elevator. Changing tables are also available in the accessible restrooms.
• Golf carts: If mobility is a concern, staff are available as needed to drive golf carts between the Parking Field, Main House, and program spaces. You are welcome to park in the accessible spaces in the front row of the Parking Field and request a golf cart at the Ticketbooth. Please note that this service does not include tours of the grounds or gardens.

Main House: 

• Elevators: The Main House includes three floors that are open to the public and accessible via modern elevator. On each floor, the elevators are located at the end of the historic service wing of the house.
• Wheelchair lift: The Mount’s staff are available to assist with the wheelchair lift on the third floor to transition from the service wing to the rest of the floor. The lift is located in the Sewing Room, which is the first open room on the right side of the hall when you exit the elevator.

Tours:

• Audio tours: The Mount offers free English and Spanish-language audio tours of the Main House and sculpture exhibition; each includes written transcripts. You may listen on your own device. Headphones or earbuds are not required but recommended. Free guest wifi is available to visitors and is the best way to access the audio tours, as cellular service is not always dependable.
• Exhibits: The informational exhibits on the third floor (or Bedroom Level) of the Main House feature various aspects of Edith Wharton’s life, works, and world, but they are not currently available via the audio guide. If you would like assistance reading the Bedroom Level exhibits, please contact us at 413-551-5116 or visit@edithwharton.org.
• Golf cart sculpture tour: If mobility is a concern, golf cart tours are available for the sculpture exhibition by appointment only. To schedule in advance, please call 413-551-5110 or email programs@edithwharton.org.
• Golf cart NightWood tour: Golf cart tours are also available for NightWood by appointment only. To schedule in advance, please call 413-551-5110.

We are always looking for ways to provide meaningful experiences for all. If you belong to the disability community, have recommendations, or would like to provide feedback about your visit, please contact us at  visit@edithwharton.org .