Tactile museums

This page lists tactile museums or special exhibits specifically created for blind people. It only includes exhibits where there is a substantial amount of things to touch, museums with audio tours only are not included here.

The ACB web site contains a list of museums which offer audio description in the United States.

If you are aware of any similar museums, please contact me and I will add it to the list.

Anubhav

New Delhi, India

A tactile experience inside the national museum. 22 replicas of museum objects representing 5000 years of Indian art.

Anubhav web site

Canadian Museum of History

Ottawa, Canada

They have a special guided touch tour for blind people, but the museum in general has enough things to touch. Contact them through the web site or call in a few weeks in advance.

The Canadian Museum of History web site

Read my review about the Canadian Museum of History

Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati, OH, United States

A guided touch tour is available. Includes a great variety of objects and tactile representations. Advanced reservation is required.

Cincinnati Art Museum web site

Read my review about the Cincinnati Art Museum

Museo Tiflologico

Madrid, Spain

Established and maintained by ONCE,.

  • Reproductions of national and international monuments

  • Art pieces by blind and partially sighted artists

  • Typhlologic material

Museo Tiflologico web site

Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind

Louisville, KY, United States

Books, maps and other equipment used by blind people. Also offers a traveling exhibit. Probably the largest exhibit of its kind.

Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind web site

National Building Museum

Washington DC, United States

By default the museum does not land itself as a tactile experience, upon request a touch tour can be organized which provides enough tactile experience. Call the accessibility line from the web site to contact them.

National Building Museum web site

My review of the National Building Museum

Underground Rail Road Freedom Center

Cincinnati, OH, United States

Though the museum does not specifically advertise to have a tactile experience, they are very accessible and there is a lot to touch. For that matter, they encourage visitors to touch objects.

Underground Rail Road Freedom Center web site

My review of the National Underground Railroad Center

Tactual Museum

Athens, Greece

Created by the Lighthouse for the Blind.

Copies of original ancient Greek artwork. Buildings, statues, coins, vessels among other things. Also offers educational programs.

Tactual Museum web site

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY, United States

The touch collection has a wide array of objects, requires reservation.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art web site

Uffizi by touch

Florence, Italy

Representing about 30 artworks from ancient times.

Uffizi by touch web site