Improving Accessibility to Cultural Sites – Accessibility Renovations in Museums and Cultural Venues
Uutinen
The City of Rauma is making a long-term commitment to accessibility so that all residents and visitors can enjoy the city’s cultural heritage and public spaces on an equal basis. Significant accessibility renovations have been carried out in recent years at city-owned cultural sites built in the 1800s and 1900s, making these historic buildings more accessible than ever. These efforts will continue.
At the Rauma Art Museum’s Pinnala location, a major improvement was completed in late 2024 when a platform lift was installed on the building’s porch. The lift is suitable, for example, for lifting wheelchairs. Previously, the porch was used only for transporting exhibition pieces, but now the lift enables barrier-free access for visitors and makes it easier for staff to handle the artworks.
Accessibility at the Rauma Old Town Hall has also been improved as part of the building’s restoration, which was completed this year. Barrier-free access was achieved by reopening the old doorway at the east end, which leads directly to the ticket office and the museum shop.
“Since it was not possible to install an elevator in this historically significant building, the second-floor exhibition will be brought virtually to the first floor sometime in 2027. In addition, thresholds were lowered and the walkways in the courtyard were improved to make the museum experience as effortless as possible,” Accessible restroom facilities were also built in the new courtyard building, explains architect Minna Linnala.
Accessibility improvements are currently underway at the Maritime Museum and Poselli
At the Poselli Culture House, accessibility is currently being enhanced through the construction of a new light elevator on the east wing. The elevator will make it easier for people using wheelchairs or walkers, for example, to access the interior spaces. The construction work is being carried out by the city’s own maintenance department, and the elevator is scheduled to be completed by the end of January. Changes to make navigation easier will also be made to the courtyard walkways this spring.
As part of the extensive renovation currently underway at the Rauma Maritime Museum, a lift, a new emergency exit staircase, and accessible restroom facilities are being built. The new accessible entrance will be located where the former basement door used to be. From the basement, the elevator will provide access to both the first exhibition floor and the second floor, where the museum’s conference and lecture hall is located. Hensto Oy is the contractor for the project, and construction is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2027.
At the Rauma Museum’s Marela, planning for an accessible entrance is currently underway. The new entrance is intended to be located at the west end, on the courtyard side. As the plan progresses to the construction phase, Marela will also become a more accessible destination for lovers of local history.
