Visit This Wheelchair-Accessible Independence Inn
Nestled in a quiet Independence neighborhood, the Silver Heart Inn (www.silverheartinn.com) is housed in a classic Greek Revival-style mansion. And although the inn just began operation in 2013, the house itself has a rich history.
Originally constructed by Napoleon Stone in 1856, the home is built from hand-hewn walnut harvested from the property. At that time the house was located one mile outside the city limits, so it fortuitously survived the burnings set forth in General Order 11 that was issued during the Civil War. In subsequent years this Missouri gem changed hands many times, and it was even divided in two by one owner.
Today the house that stands at 1114 South Noland Road is actually the rear wing and the side entrance of Stone’s original house. And since it has some features not found in most historic homes, Melanie and Perry Johnson were able to include an accessible guest room in the plans, when they converted this private residence to the Silver Heart Inn.
Spend the Night
There’s accessible parking in the back of the house, with level access down the driveway to the ramped back entrance. The guest rooms are located on the second floor, with the two wings divided by a staircase. There is also a small elevator that runs from the first floor to the accessible Roy Gamble Suite on the second floor.
Named for the man who purchased the home in 1943, the two-bedroom Roy Gamble Suite is furnished with a 28-inch high twin bed and includes good pathway access and wide doorways. When Melanie saw the second floor setup, she knew it would make a nice accessible suite for a family, or for a person traveling with an attendant. This is an issue that Melanie is intimately familiar with, as her nephew has cerebral palsy and his family has encountered numerous difficulties finding appropriate accessible lodging. Says Melanie, “I’ve not really found a lot of properties that can accommodate an attendant or a family caregiver, so I’m glad we are able to provide this for our guests.”
The second bedroom, which is the larger of the two rooms, is furnished with a 33-inch high queen-sized bed, with a step stool and wheelchair access on both sides. The spacious room also has two comfortable chairs and a table in front of a working fireplace. There’s good pathway access throughout the room, and although the decor exudes a definite Victorian charm, the Asian accents really ramp up the vibrancy.
A Spacious Bathroom
The suite bathroom, which was remodeled after Mr. Gamble had a stroke in the 1980s, features a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a roll-in shower with a hand-held showerhead and a portable shower chair. The toilet, which is located next to the pedestal sink, has a unique grab bar configuration. There are standard grab bars on the back and left walls (as seated), and a floor mounted grab bar on the other side. The floor mounted grab bar only extends halfway out from the back wall, so there is room for a side transfer, but it may be difficult for some folks.
Melanie also serves up a tasty breakfast each morning in the Avanell and Roy Gamble Dining Room. Named for the former owner and his first wife, the spacious room features a level entry with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. Melanie is known for her use of local foods and fresh ingredients, and she’s always adding new recipes to her repertoire. No matter what she whips up, you won’t be disappointed.
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