Zach Visits the Pioneer Village

The Pioneer Village in  Jamestown, ND, USA in a Wheel Chair

It was Friday afternoon, July 25 and the year could have been 1890 from the view at the Pioneer

Village in Jamestown, ND, USA. The stage coach rambled by the saloon and off to the west. Riding shotgun was a dog with a big red bandanna around his neck. The only hint that we were in the year 2008 was the apparel of the many tourists up and down the street walking in and out of the restored buildings and taking lots of pictures.

We were on site to check out the excitement, see the attractions, and report back to you on how a visit to the Pioneer Village goes for someone in a wheel chair. Our someone is Zach, and Zach's experience on this outing was wonderful. Travelling with Zach today were his nurse, Kellie, and his outreach guy, John.

A handicapped parking spot is located in front of the Buffalo Museum, down the hill to the right as you enter the Village's main street. We parked the van and lowered Zach back to earth. Since Zach had visited the Museum a few weeks back, we didn't go in but walked past it up the wooden walkway (pretty good incline) to the main street of buildings at the top of the hill. Extensive ramps and walkways make the Village very accessible for people in wheelchairs. In addition to the main walkways in front of the stores, the are a number of wooden walkways that run behind the stores and provide access to some wonderful views of the valleys below to the north and to the south.

Many of the entrances to the buildings are original, which means some are obstacles for a wheel chair, very narrow and often having a bump for a thresh hold. And some of the buildings only have access to a small entry area with the main room blocked off from traffic. The view this requires is for someone standing, difficult to appreciate from a wheel chair, but these are just a few small buildings. Many buildings are easily accessible for Zach.

Restrooms for the main street area are located on the south side of the street on the corner that runs down to the museum.   They are very well done with easy access and wide stalls.

There are various gift shops and places to buy food, beverages,and souvenirs. Zach was looking for something western to help decorate his room but didn't find exactly what he wanted.

The Buffalo Museum is the only building that charges an admission fee. The museum is first rate and quite wheelchair friendly. Access into the Museum through the gift shop is a bit tight for a wheelchair, especially when there are many shoppers in the room.  For more info check out www.buffalomuseum.com

There are times when you can visit the Village when special events are happening, such as a wild west "shoot-out." Re-enactors have gun fights over a crooked poker player or an attempt to rob the bank, or whatever strikes their fancy. The shootouts are fun but be aware that the guns they shoot (blanks, of course) are very LOUD! They also have area musicians performing on a stage down the valley to the north.

The statue called the world's largest buffalo in down a steep incline and up to the east of the Village.  He has recently been given a makeover and is looking pretty sharp.  Of course, he is visible from the highway (I-94) and has paid for himself many times over by the thousands of tourists he has enticed to stop and check it all out. 

Zach got a look at the bison herd while we were there including the newest white calf. Very rare, adult white bison are revered by central plains native Americans. 

Wheelchair Accessibility Highlights:

* Good handicapped parking provided.

* The wooden ramps provide easy accessibility through the main areas of attraction.

* The ramp up the hill is steep and requires someone with muscle or a power chair to scale it.

* The trip down the valley and up to see the big buffalo up close is steeper still.

* Access to the buildings is not perfect, but there are enough accessible buildings to make the visit worthwhile.

Overall, highly recommended!

-John Andrus

Photos by Zach