Joseph Figueiredo is the first wheelchair to navigate the new ADA ramp on the back of the Fairhaven Academy Building. Submitted photo.
Press Release
Patrons going to the Office of Tourism or the Fairhaven Historical Society Museum at the Historic Fairhaven Academy Building now have another means of getting inside. The Fairhaven Historical Commission has just completed the ADA (American with Disabilities Act) Ramp Project which now allows patrons with disabilities in wheelchairs or walkers an easier and safer way to enter the Academy Building. The building is on the West lawn of Fairhaven High School and was built in 1798. The project was funded by a Grant from the Fairhaven CPC (Community Preservation Committee). The work was done by Kneeland Construction of Medford, MA
Rather than putting modern steel pipe barriers at the end of the ramp to protect the railing, Historic Commission Member, John Medeiros came up with the idea of putting a granite hitching post to provide protection to the railings as well as adding character to the structure.
Joe Figueiredo donated the large granite stone and then had local Stone Mason Leon Couture install it and create a wrought iron spike and ring used to tie the horse’s rope to.
This is the Fairhaven Historical Commission’s ongoing process of preserving our historical buildings while making them ADA compliant for those with disabilities, wherever possible.
Champ is tied to the new granite hitching post recently installed at the end of the new wheelchair ramp at the Academy Building in Fairhaven, with Joey Figueiredo (LEFT) and his father Joseph Figueiredo (RGHT), the first person to use the wheelchair ramp. Submitted photo.
Champ pauses for a shot for posterity’s sake with volunteers and members of the Fairhaven Historical Commission as they celebrate the completion of the new ADA wheelchair ramp with its protective hitching post at the Academy Building, L-R: Champ; Historical Commission chairperson Wayne Oliveira, HC member David Braga, HC member John Medeiros, Mason Leon Couture, and Joseph Figueiredo. Submitted photo.
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