ELEVATING ACCESS

A capital improvement project to increase accessibility at the Museum.

For more than 34 years, the Museum’s saltwater aquariums, live touch tank, interactive exhibits, lectures, and family programs have made it a popular destination for local residents and tourists from across the country. However, the Museum has several accessibility challenges that limit its functionality and ability to serve all visitors. Therefore, the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation has launched a capital improvement project, Elevating Access, to make essential building modifications to the Museum that will increase accessibility.

Project Overview

The project includes, refitting restroom facilities, the addition of handrails along interior ramps between exhibits and the construction of an addition to house an elevator which will provide access to the Hayden O’Neil Learning Center, a multi-purpose education space on an upper level, and the Barrier Island Gallery on the lower level. Both these areas currently can only be reached by stairs.

It’s all part of a master plan for the Museum’s 14,000-square-foot building, a process that engaged a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including Board members, government, nonprofit, and business leaders, and donors, members, and volunteers. The resulting ten-year plan identified the need to increase accessibility for patrons, rearrange exhibits to provide for a more effective traffic flow, relocate the retail area to attract more sales, and increase exhibit space. But last year the organization’s board of trustees identified accessibility as its most pressing need. As a result, we launched the Elevating Access project.

Need For the Project

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Brunswick County has been North Carolina’s fastest-growing county since 2020. From 2021 to 2022, its population increased by 8,250, a growth rate of 5.7%, and now exceeds 153,000 residents. In 2021, the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium reported that 15.2% of County residents had a disability.
Additionally, seniors will benefit from this project. The 2022 U.S. Census reports that 34% of Brunswick County residents are 65 and older. Many of the Museum’s patrons are seniors visiting with their grandchildren, and most of the Museum’s approximately 100 volunteers, many serving as docents are over 65. This project will ensure they can fully engage with visitors in all exhibits and programs.

The Museum aims to create a welcoming environment that serves diverse audiences, promotes equal access, and ensures all visitors enjoy a complete and enriching experience. Elevating Access positions the Museum for sustained success and greater community impact for the growing communities it serves.

In addition to general audiences, which include local residents and tourists, students will benefit from this project. The Museum’s interactive exhibits and education programs are critical resources, providing essential STEM learning activities that align with North Carolina Standards of Learning for grades K-6. Nearly 3,500 students visit annually, primarily from Brunswick County elementary and middle schools, all of which are Title 1 schools. Students also come from the North Carolina counties of New Hanover, Columbus, Pender, Onslow, Duplin, Horry, and even as far away as Durham. Because some exhibit spaces and the Learning Center are currently only accessible by stairs, installing an elevator will provide students with equal access.

Major Donors

Thanks to major donors who have committed to contributions of $10,000 or more to Elevate Access at the Museum of Coastal Carolina.

Help us meet our goal of $1.1 Million!

$510,810 Raised

To learn more about the benefits of being a major donor, please contact Executive Director Jim Hoffman at director@museumplanetarium.org.

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