Physical / Mobility Accessibility

Explore physical and mobility accessibility at Friendship Hill National Historic Site by clicking on each location's features below.

 

Gallatin House

The Gallatin House has an information desk, small bookstore, restrooms, and exhibits about Gallatin and his history. Hours of operation vary depending on the season and staffing availability. Please call the Visitor Center to get the most current information.

Parking / Drop Off

There are two parking areas near the Gallatin House; the main lot, and a small upper lot just for accessible parking.

Main Parking Lot 

This large lot has a walking path leading up to the house, as well as restrooms, and a picnic area. There are:

• 2 accessible parking spaces (by the restrooms)
• 3 RV spaces
• 37 standard spaces

Accessible Parking (Closer to Gallatin House)

• 2 accessible parking spaces 
• There are no physical barriers from accessible parking to the entrance of the house.

Path

• The path from the main parking lot to the Gallatin House is a paved sidewalk that is 200 yards long and with several switchbacks to make the incline more manageable.
• Visitors with difficulty walking can be dropped off at the top of the hill near the house before parking in the main lot. Use the ramp to get to the entrance.
• The path from the accessible parking area to the visitor center is level and has no physical barriers.
• The entrance to the Gallatin House features a ramp and staircase, with a power assist door top activated with a push button. Stairs may be icy during the winter months.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in the basement of the Gallatin House and can be accessed by an elevator.

• There is no power assist button to activate door.

Men's

• 1 accessible stall
• 1 regular stall
• 1 accessible urinal
• 1 regular urinal
• 2 sinks
• A changing table
• Hand dryer

Women's

• 1 accessible stall
• 3 regular stalls
• 2 sinks
• A changing table
• Hand dryer
• Sanitary napkin/tampon dispenser

Water Fountains

• None in the house. Bottled water is available for purchase from the bookstore. 

Information Desk / Bookstore

Information Desk

• There is an information desk located through the front doors and to the left.
• There is a lowered section for asking questions and interacting with ranger staff.

Bookstore

• There are various items available for sale including t-shirts, hoodies, books, pins, and other collectibles.
• Staff at the information desk can assist with reaching items on higher shelves.

Exhibits

Exhibits

• Sections of the home have been set up with period furniture including the kitchen, parlor, and a bedroom on the second floor.
• The rooms with furniture are blocked off with ropes or barriers.
• In one room a section of the floor is exposed under glass to see the floor, subfloor, original floor, and floor beams.

Model of Gallatin House

• Near the information desk there is a model of the Gallatin House showing the timeline of when different parts of the house were built and can be accessed on all 4 sides.
• Staff are available to talk through the progression of the house.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is down a couple of steep steps, but it is viewable from the doorway.

Second Floor

• There is an elevator to access the second floor, but immediately upon exiting the elevator there are two stairs leading down to the bedrooms.
• There is no alternative experience for those who cannot access the second floor.

Theater

The theater showing the park flim is on the first floor at the furthest point from the information desk.

• It is a small room with a TV showing two films that are activated with the push of a button.
• There is plenty of space for wheelchairs in the theater and regular seating can be moved easily by park staff.

 

Grounds

The Gallatin House grounds encompass a gazebo, a surveying sculpture, a picnic area, two cemeteries, and many hiking trails.

Restrooms (Comfort Station)

Men's

• 1 accessible stall
• 1 urinal
• A changing table
• 2 sinks
• A hand dryer
• trash 

Women's

• 1 accessible stall
• 1 regular stall
• A changing table
• 2 sinks
• A hand dryer
• trash 

Family Restroom

• toilet
• changing table
• sink
• hand dryer
• closed in the winter

Drinking Fountains

• There are two drinking fountains and a water bottle filling station.
• These are shut off during the winter months.

Picnic Area

The picnic area is located by the main parking lot next to the restrooms.

The picnic area has: 

• 2 Accessible picnic tables with extended tops on paved surface
• 8 Standard picnic tables
• 6 Grills available for use

Albert Gallatin Sculpture

The sculpture of Albert Gallatin is placed along the walking path that takes you from the main parking lot to the Gallatin House.

• This path is paved, wide and on a gradual incline from the parking lot up to the sculpture
• The sculpture can be accessed from all sides and is on a continuation of the flat sidewalk path.
• The sculpture can be seen from the parking lot.

Gazebo

Outside the home there’s a walkway that takes you a short distance to a gazebo and to a view overlooking the Monongahela River.

• The walkway surface is gravel and uneven, but relatively level.
• At the view, the surface is made up of flagstones with large gaps in between the stones.

 

Trails

Friendship Hill National Historic Site has ten miles of hiking trails to explore. 

Main Loop Trail

The Main Loop Trail connects to the rest of the trail system

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 4 miles long (round trip)
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope:
• Max cross slope:

North Loop Trail

The North Loop Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 1.24 miles long (round trip)
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope:

Hidden Meadow Loop

The Hidden Meadow Loop Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.66 miles long (round trip)
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope:
• Max cross slope:

South Loop

The South Loop Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.91 miles long (round trip)
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope: 

Trailhead Loop

The Trailhead Loop Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.43 miles long (round trip)
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope: 

Main Cutoff

The Main Cutoff Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.35 miles long
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope: 

North Cutoff

The North Cutoff Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.25 miles long
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope: 

New Geneva Spur

The New Geneva Spur Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.50 miles long
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope:
• Max cross slope:

School Spur

The School Spur Trail can be accessed from the Main Loop Trail

• One trailhead is located in the main parking lot, and another trailhead is located in a small parking lot to the right when entering the park, before the main parking lot.
• There are resting areas with benches along the trail.
• Foot traffic only.

This path is: (Information coming soon)

• Substrate type:
• 0.10 miles long
• X feet wide
• Average running slope:
• Max running slope:
• Average cross slope: 
• Max cross slope:

 

Albert Gallatin sculpture at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. Gallatin stands looking through a compass with surveying tools peeking out of his bag and on the ground.

National Park Service