Address
279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976
Phone Number
(631) 283 - 2118
Date Visited
10/08/2014
Website
Parrish Art Museum
Description
The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, New York.Parking is available in a large, flat, paved lot with 10 handicapped spaces close to the main entrance.
A concrete walkway gets one to the street level, double door main entrance. There is a handicapped assist push button for easier access. One must go through a small foyer and another set of double doors to get to the lobby.
The one floor building has smooth concrete floors.
Large galleries are open and airy with ample room to move about. Benches are located in most of the galleries, and in the outer hallway.
A continuous bench runs around the outside of the building.
Multi-stall, handicapped accessible restrooms are located in the hallway near the theater. The handicapped stall has a sink and baby-changing table.
A cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating is located just off the lobby.
A gift shop is located in the lobby.
- Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: close
Terrain: flat
Places to rest: continuous bench around outside of building
Paths and walkways: concrete walkway from parking lot
Doors: wooden, double-doors with handicapped assist push button
Number of floors: 1
Ramps: none
Steps and staircases: none
Width of aisles: spacious
Places to sit: benches in most galleries
Location of restrooms: near theater
Type of restroom: multi-stall, handicapped accessible with sink and baby changing table
Ease of entry and exit: OK
Available food services: cafe with indoor and outdoor seating
Friendliness of staff: pleasant and helpful
Notes: Note that one enters a small foyer and then a second set of double doors to get to the lobby.
The past few years, while driving on Route 27 in Southampton, we had watched the progress of the construction of the new Parrish Art Museum. The Herzog & deMeuron designed building officially opened to the public in 2012. “”The original Parrish Art Museum, founded in 1818, is the oldest cultural institution on the East End of Long Island.”” (brochure) It is a 34,400 square foot building on 14 acres in Water Mill. The impressive Museum resembles a large barn-like structure.
As you approach, two large Roy Lichtenstein sculptures (on long term loan) come into view. Continue down the road to find parking in a large, flat lot with 10 handicapped spaces. It is a short walk on a concrete walkway to the wooden double door entrance. Handicapped assist push buttons can be found at both the exterior and interior doors. “The Parrish is a horizontal structure nestled discreetly in the landscape, consisting of two parallel wings joined by a central circulation sphere running the length of the building. The building has been sited to take advantage of natural north light.” (website) “…the architecture and landscape honor the East End’s … environment and provide a new way to experience art with a sense of place offered by no other museum.” (brochure) We found a clean open feel to the building, with its white walls, soaring ceilings and many skylights.
The galleries are large, open and airy with ample room to move about. The one floor building has smooth concrete floors.
The exhibits we saw featured painting and sculpture by artists from the East End. There are both permanent and rotating exhibits.
Seating can be found in the galleries, outer halls, and around the exterior of the building itself. “…a continuous bench runs around the outside of the building for sitting and viewing the surrounding landscape.” (architects)
If you are hungry, a cafe with indoor and outdoor tables with vineyard views is just off the lobby. (specified hours)
Check out the gift shop as well.
The theater was not in use while we were there, but we peeked inside. The floor is flat, with movable chairs. Near the theater, multi-stall restrooms have a handicapped accessible stall that includes a sink and baby changing station.
The Parrish Art Museum is a wonderful place to view art because the museum itself is a work of art.
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a avenue’s website, www.parrishart.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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