Chief of Interpretation
Scott Rector is the chief of interpretation and accessibility point of contact at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites.
Scott began his career as an intern for the Cape Cod National Seashore. After transferring first to the Statue of Liberty and then to Fire Island, Scott established himself as the chief of interpretation at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites in Hyde Park, NY, a place he has called home for the past 18 years.
At the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Historic Sites, Scott is the accessibility point of contact and a fervent advocate for inclusion. His commitment to inclusion is clear, through his creation of flexible and accessible tour formats, to his presence at exhibit meetings to make sure they can be accessed not only by those who use wheelchairs but by everyone, regardless of ability.
Creating accessible and inclusive spaces is not always so simple. The Roosevelt Home and Vanderbilt Mansion were built in an era long before the ADA. Maintaining their Gilded Age aesthetic and providing full access can be difficult. Scott’s creativity and ingenuity has allowed for preservation of the site with access for all.
Visit the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Historic Sites website for more information.
