Accessibility Information

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which expresses the fundamental importance of including individuals with disabilities in community life, requires non-discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

ADA mandates that major renovations be physically accessible and that existing facilities make readily achievable modifications to improve accessibility to the greatest extent possible. Historic Hudson Valley is fully committed to the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To that end, insofar as it is within our means to do so, we pursue and implement accommodations which make HHV accessible to a broad range of audiences. We seek to accomplish this by: training and communicating the importance of ADA to our staff; improving our programs and physical structures wherever possible.

Service Animals

Service dogs are welcome. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed at our sites or events.

Sign Language Interpretation

Arrangements can be made for a sign language interpreter, provided at no charge to visitors. Please submit a request 10 business days prior to the date of the visit to [email protected].

Assistive Devices

Sensory backpacks, including noise reducing headphones, fidget items, and printed picture communication system cards, are available at the Visitor Services desk at all sites.

Physical Accessibility and Wheelchair Access

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Visitor Center and Site Access

Wheelchair accessible parking and accessible restrooms are available at the Kykuit/Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center.
There are several short steps to the front door of the Kykuit mansion. Within the house, there is a stairway (with banisters) from the first floor to the Galleries below.
In the immediate garden area, there are steps down from the west walk to the Rose Garden and steps up from the Rose Garden to the shuttle bus area.
There are emergency public restrooms at Kykuit.

Specific Tours
The Classic Tour and the Selected Highlights Tour are wheelchair accessible. Please purchase your tickets 48 hours in advance and select the “Wheelchair Accessible” ticket so that we can arrange accommodations for your visit. A customer service representative will contact you at the email address you provide at checkout with detailed information.

The Grand Tour is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the terrain.

Washington Irving’s Sunnyside

Visitor Center and Site Access

Wheelchair accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms are available in the Visitor Center.
The walk from the parking lot to the Visitor Center is approximately 379 feet down a graded wheelchair accessible ramp.
The walk from the Visitor Center to the Cottage is approximately 570 feet on a graded decline, much of which is on a wide pebble path. From the courtyard of the Cottage back to the Visitor’s Center is approximately 380 feet on a graded incline.

Historic Core and Irving’s Cottage

The grounds and the first floor of the Cottage are wheelchair accessible.
There is a narrow, steep flight of stairs (12-15 steps) to the second floor of the house and another steep and winding flight of stairs from the second floor to the kitchen.

Philipsburg Manor

Visitor Center and Site Access

Wheelchair accessible parking is available at the Visitor Center as well as accessible restrooms.
The entire site (including the Visitor Center) is about 5 acres.

Historic Core

The historic core has limited wheelchair accessibility. The grist mill, the barn, and the lower kitchen and first floor of the Manor House are accessible using ramps. The Activity Center and the second floor of the Manor House are not wheelchair accessible.
There are a few steps into each building. There is a narrow, steep flight of 12 stairs from the first to the second floor of the Manor House and another similar flight of stairs back down to the first floor.

Van Cortlandt Manor

Visitor Center and Site Access

Wheelchair accessible parking is available and most of the grounds are fully wheelchair accessible. There are wheelchair accessible restroom facilities in the Visitor Center.
The walk from the entrance to the Manor House is approximately 750 feet on a narrow brick walk (it can also be walked on a gravel driveway).

Historic Core

Most of the grounds are reasonably level and wheelchair accessible, as is the first floor of the Manor House.
There is limited wheelchair accessibility to the buildings.
There are 16 steps into the Manor House, two steps down the back exit, and another 12 steps to the kitchen area.
There is no wheelchair access to the Tenant House.
There are three steps into the Tenant House.