Solomon Shaw, an eagle scout with Boy Scouts Troop 541, stands on an ADA-compliant sidewalk he designed and completed at the Jennings County Historical Society’s museum in Vernon as part of his eagle scout project.
Photo provided
VERNON — With the help of a scout and some civic-minded community members, a recent addition to the Jennings County Historical Society is now more accessible.
As part of his Eagle Scout project, Solomon Shaw undertook a project to make access to the historic Eldo Hicks 1880s Victorian Pattern Home comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The one-room structure served as a railroad office in North Vernon until about 1910 but in 2007 was moved to its current location and renovated. It now is an extension of the historical society’s North American House Museum and open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and during events.
The path between the building was loose rock with stepping stones, according to the society. Shaw and his father, scoutmaster Josh Shaw, undertook the project. “My project has been four months in the making from when it began to its completion” last month, Solomon said.
He and his father measured dimensions for concrete to be poured, and Solomon reached out to All-Star Paving to see if they might help.
“They not only accepted, but also offered to donate time and materials,” he said. Members of the scout troop got the site ready by preparing the ground and moving stones, benches and more. On the day the concrete was poured, the troop laid out a taco bar for workers.
“Overall, I loved working with both the Historical Society and All-Star on this meaningful project,” Solomon said.
