Celebrating Disability History at the National Trust for Historic Preservation

_{Polasek modeling a portrait bust inside his studio, late 1950s. Many of Polasek’s sculpting tools, including his turntables, can be seen on display. Courtesy Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.}

7 Historic Sites Telling the Story of Artists and Politicians with Disabilities by Priya Chhaya (National Trust for Historic Preservation, July 2025)

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.

HAHS Features, Happenings