Glanmore National Historic Site is adding a permanent accessible washroom.
The grounds are currently being prepared for the work which is anticipated to be completed by the end of October.
The museum has limited options for offering accessible amenities, without altering the historic fabric of its interior.
The existing public washrooms are in the basement and since 2022, an accessible portable toilet has been located by the back entrance of the facility to meet accessibility standards.
City council approved a permanent accessible washroom for Glanmore in its 2023 budget.
A small outbuilding will be located to the west of the house, just off the parking lot and near the museum’s accessible entrance.
To prepare the location for this outbuilding, a small stand of evergreen trees will be removed from the site. However, new trees will be planted post-construction to replace the lost trees and to help conceal the structure from the front of the property. Species will be selected that are appropriate for the site and the era that Glanmore represents.
The museum also has plans to further expand the site’s tree canopy to replace losses from recent storms and Emerald Ash Borer infestations.
After early consultations with Parks Canada regarding the new washroom structure, it was recommended that the museum undertake an archaeological assessment of the construction location prior to excavation. This work was completed, with test pits producing no artifacts other than some fragments from the original slate roof. The project has also been vetted by the city’s Accessibility Committee.
The work will not impact the museum’s hours.
