Shown is the front of the building from accross East Cary St looking towards the First Freedom Center. There is a red sign with white lettering that reads, "The Valentine First Freedom Center, about 10 feet above the ground on the front of the building.
Shown is a view of The Valentine First Freedom Center from the intersection of East Cary St and South 14th street looking to the northwest. When viewing the building from this intersection there is a large stone monument that has the words of The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom engraved into the stone. In front of that is a half circle bench and a large metal spire sticking up about 10 feet above the ground.
Pictured is a Google map view of the closest accessible parking for The First Freedom Center that does not have a height restriction. It is located on S 13th street, about a tenth of a mile from the entrance. It is marked as accessible with post mounted reserved parking signage on the curb, but otherwise has no pavement markings or access aisle and the slope from the accessible parking is steeper than 8.33% in some sections.
Shown is East Cary St entrance of of the 14th and Cary St parking garage. There is a sign above the entryway with white lettering on a black background, that reads, "Entrance" with two arrows on either side of the sign pointing down towards the ground. To the left of that sign is another sign with identical background coloring and white lettering that reads, "Clearance 6 foot, 4 inches." This garage does not support taller vehicles, such as some vans and trucks.
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Last updated:
Sep 13, 2022
Click for Directions:
Call:
(804) 649-0711
Busy Hours
This space is generally not too busy.
Amenities
Accessible Bathroom
Elevator
Accessibility Notes
Staff is friendly, and ready to help however they can. For example, staff can help open and close any doors, help you find quiet areas if needed, etc.
The location is service animal friendly, but not pet friendly.
There is one accessible street parking space available on South 13th street, about a tenth of a mile northwest of the First Freedom Center. It does not have an access aisle and is not marked as van accessible.
There is also accessible parking available at the city parking garage located at 1410 E. Cary Street, but the clearance is only six feet, four inches high, which may not accommodate vans or larger vehicles.
The pathway from the street parking is mostly brick and asphalt, with a curb cut for access to the sidewalk from the street. The path is sloped to various degrees from the street parking to the entrance, with certain sections being fairly steep.
If one parks in the garage, there are stairs or an elevator that take you to street level, and once out of the garage, the path is fairly steep headed towards the entrance to the First Freedom Center, again with a mix of brick and concrete surfaces.
The main entrance and exit are clearly marked from the outside with white lettering on a red background, but there are no braille or tactile characters.
The main entrance door is somewhat difficult to open force wise, and there is no automatic push button, but there are no steps or ramps needed to enter the building.
The interior pathways are fairly wide paths with plenty of room to maneuver mobility devices, and the floor surface is a mostly compacted, industrial carpet, with some tile in the second floor hallway where there is more exhibit space.
There is a lift to access the second floor for those who do not prefer steps, with enough room for one wheelchair.
Directional and informational signage throughout is limited, and most of the informational and interpretive signage does not have braille, tactile, or digital alternatives.
There are several seating options available throughout with seating surfaces at accessible heights, with back and armrests.
The point of sale counter in the gift shop/visitor welcome area is at an accessible height, and staff provides assistance with credit cards for purchases.
There is some merchandise in the gift shop that may be difficult to reach for some, but staff is able to assist if needed.
The site is generally not too noisy.
There are a couple accessible multi-stall, gendered restrooms, and a single occupant restroom on the second floor that are part of an adjacent hotel.
The interior of each restroom/accessible stall is spacious, and there are grab bars at good heights next to and behind each toilet.
The light switches in all restrooms have a sensor to control them, and the sinks, soap, and paper towel dispensers in each restroom are at accessible heights.
Click the black "Accessibility Test Results" button at the top of this page to view in-depth accessibility metrics for this business!