Historic Sites share the stories of historical figures in a particular time and place, providing a glimpse into how they made an impact on the community and place in which they lived. Sometimes these individuals were also people with disabilities who figured out accommodation both in terms of their homes but also in the way they lived their lives.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s historic sites, as well as members of the Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios Program, includes stories of politicians, sculptors, and painters who were all people with disabilities. Some found themselves adapting their creative practice, while others looked to changes in their homes to support them in their day-to-day lives.

Explore seven stories of people with disabilities: their art, their homes, and how they inspired others.

Abiquiú Home and Studio, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Abiquiú, New Mexico)

The Abiquiú Home and Studio is a member of HAHS.

Woodrow Wilson House (Washington, D.C.)

The Woodrow Wilson House is a National Trust Historic Site.

In October 1919, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a severe stroke that left him partially paralyzed on his left side and significantly impaired his mobility. This life-altering event occurred during the final year of his presidency and resulted in a lasting physical disability that shaped his remaining years. When Wilson and his wife, Edith, moved into their home on S Street, NW in Washington, D.C. after leaving the White House in 1921, accommodations were necessary to support his condition.

Among the most notable modifications was the installation of an elevator in an older trunk shaft—an uncommon residential feature at the time. The elevator allowed Wilson to navigate between floors without relying on stairs, preserving some measure of independence despite his disability. He used the elevator daily until his death in February 1924. This unique architectural feature remains a powerful symbol of how Wilson’s stroke not only altered his life, but also his home.

Couse-Sharp Historic Site (Taos, New Mexico)

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site is a member of HAHS.

Albin Polasek Museum (Winter Park, Florida)

The Albin Polasek Museum is a member of HAHS.

Recognized as a leading American sculptor of the 20th century, Czech-born Albin Polasek served 30 years as head of the sculpture department at the Art Institute of Chicago before retiring to Winter Park, Florida in 1949.

After his arrival, Polasek experienced a stroke that resulted in paralysis on his left side. Now using a wheelchair, he adapted to painting with patience and determination, drawing and (with assistance) sculpting with his right hand only.

After his stroke, he produced over a dozen significant sculptures, including Victory of Moral Law, Emily Fountain, Man Reaching for the Moon, and the monumental Man Carving His Own Destiny. To create this masterpiece, Polasek held the chisel in his functional right hand and meticulously directed Robert A. Baille, a stone carver from Mount Rushmore, on where to strike the chisel with the hammer for each blow.

This sculpture, positioned at the entrance of the museum, is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of Albin Polasek.

Demuth Museum (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

The Demuth Museum is a member of HAHS.

Charles Demuth fell seriously ill and began to experience the symptoms of diabetes in 1920. At the recommendation of art collector Dr. Albert C. Barnes, Demuth had his first consultation at a hospital in Morristown, New Jersey in February 1921. Though he tried to minimize diabetes’ effects on his life, the disease impacted his ability to travel, paint, and socialize.

In April 1922, Demuth entered Morristown under the care of Dr. Frederick Allen, who was known for his innovative treatment of diabetes. Demuth’s first treatment consisted of a starvation diet with just 500 calories per day. This method helped stabilize his blood sugar, but was not a long-term solution. Though insulin was newly available, discovered in 1921, Demuth resisted for a year, receiving his first insulin injection in April 1923. The drug’s effect was almost immediate, and Demuth resumed painting until eventually dying of complications from diabetes in 1935.

James Castle House (Boise, Idaho)

The James Castle House is a member of HAHS.

The James Castle House is a historic site and museum serving as a testimony to the legacy of self-taught artist James Castle.

Born in 1899, James Castle created thousands of artworks during his lifetime, the majority of which were made while he lived in the House, Shed, and Trailer in Boise, Idaho.

Castle was born deaf, and, while he attended the Idaho School for Deaf and Blind, he never became proficient in reading, writing, or a conventional means of communication. As a deaf man and a self-taught artist, he was afforded the rare opportunity to focus on a daily artmaking practice while he lived with his family.

Through its preserved architecture, exhibitions, and artist-in-residence program, the James Castle House offers meaningful insight into Castle’s art, life, and d/Deaf experience.