The Mattress Factory is committed to making its exhibitions, building spaces, programs, and services accessible to all audiences. The principles of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) apply to all aspects of our operations.
The Mattress Factory is comprised of three buildings located within the Mexican War Streets, a historic district in the Central Northside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Main Building is located at 500 Sampsonia Way. It is a large 6-story brick warehouse with an attached Administrative Office Building and enclosed stair tower. All galleries within the Main Building are fully wheelchair accessible by elevator. A wheelchair is available at the Admissions Desk free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, there is an accessible restroom and water fountain on the lower level of the Museum and in the Education Studio.
The Main Building has two entrances. The Jacksonia Street entrance, leading into our Parking Lot, contains accessible parking with a wheelchair-accessible ramp into the front entrance of the museum. When you enter the Main Building, turn right to check in at the Admissions Desk. A secondary entrance to the Main Building is found at 500 Sampsonia Way, a small, one-way alley without sidewalks. This entrance is between Sherman Avenue and Monterey Street and requires the use of stairs; it is not accessible.
Admission may only be purchased at the Main Building (or online) and must be bought before exploring the Annexes. We recommend starting your Mattress Factory visit in our Main Building.
The Sampsonia Annex, located at 516 Sampsonia Way, is a three-story rowhouse that has been converted into exhibition space. Due to the age of this building, it is not fully wheelchair accessible at this time. The first floor is partially accessible and the entrance is ramped. In addition, there is an accessible restroom on the first floor of the Sampsonia Annex. Admission must be purchased at the Main Building before exploring this building.
The Monterey Annex, located at 1414 Monterey Street, is a three-story commercial building that has been converted into exhibition space. Due to the age of this building, it is not fully wheelchair accessible at this time. The first floor is accessible. There is not a ramped entrance, but the museum has a portable ramp that allows entry through a side door on Jacksonia Street. Admissions Desk staff can coordinate the usage of this ramp. Admission must be purchased at the Main Building before exploring this building.
When leaving the Main Building to visit the Annexes, please be aware that the sidewalks or alleyways may not be fully accessible. We recommend planning extra time for travel between the three gallery spaces. In addition, we are a part of the Mexican War Street neighborhood and ask that you respect our neighbors as you move between the three buildings.
The Mattress Factory showcases site-specific art installations, videos, and performances. Installation art is three-dimensional visual artwork that is often designed for a specific place and for a temporary period of time. Installation art is not the same as interactive art. Please ask a gallery attendant which installations are meant to be touched.
Car Service: If you call a vehicle to drop you off at the Mattress Factory, please direct them to 505 Jacksonia Street. The vehicle will pull into a parking lot and this is where you may wait if a vehicle is picking you up. If you do not wish to wait outside, alert the Admissions Desk that you are anticipating a vehicle and they can let you know when your vehicle has arrived.
Port Authority: The Mattress Factory is located within easy distance of several Port Authority bus stops. For information, bus routes, and schedules visit Port Authority Trip Planner or call Port Authority Customer Service at 412.442.2000.
Parking: Our Parking Lot entrance can be found on Jacksonia Street. There is one designated blue zone parking for people who have a handicap placard for their vehicle. The Parking Lot is small and fills up quickly, especially on weekends. If our Parking Lot is full, visitors may park on the surrounding streets free of charge, but please pay attention to any parking signs or posted limitations.
Certain galleries at the Mattress Factory are not wheelchair accessible and require the use of stairs to access. Admissions is priced at $10 for visitors with limited mobility and accessibility needs. Admission is free for one person accompanying a visitor with limited mobility and accessibility needs. You can obtain these tickets at our Admissions Desk located within our Main Building on 500 Sampsonia Way.
Fully-trained and registered service animals on a leash and under the owner’s control are welcomed. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. When you arrive, please notify the Admissions Desk that you have a service animal. If the service animal gets out of hand or is a threat to other visitors or the art work, our staff is allowed to intervene.
Navigating the Museum: Visitors with disabilities may use mobility devices, including manual and electric(?) wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and manually powered mobility aids (such as walkers, canes, and crutches) in all areas open to public pedestrian use. All galleries within the Main Building are fully wheelchair accessible by elevator. A wheelchair is available at the Admissions Desk free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. When leaving the Main Building to visit the Annexes, please be aware that the sidewalks or alleyways may not be fully accessible. We recommend planning extra time for travel between the three gallery spaces. Please refer to the About the Mattress Factory and Gallery Buildings section for more information about our campus.
Elevators and Gallery Seating: All floors are accessible by elevator in the Main Building; our two Annexes are not accessible by elevator. There are limited benches inside our galleries. Visitors who need assistance standing for long periods are asked to bring a wheelchair or use one of the limited number of wheelchairs the Admissions Desk has made available.
Door Access: All doors are accessible. They are either lightweight, ADA compliant, or a Mattress Factory employee is stationed to assist opening doors.
Accessible Bathrooms / Changing Rooms and Water Fountains: The Main Building and Sampsonia Annex have accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms. Currently, we do not have nursing or changing rooms.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation: ASL interpretation is provided at no cost for all public programs, lectures, and tours. To request a ASL interpreter, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator or call our Admissions Desk at least three weeks in advance of your visit.
The Mattress Factory is committed to creating an inclusive environment and enriching experience for our visitors. Some of our current and archived galleries have Artist commentary that can be found on our SoundCloud HERE.
Braille and Large Print Guides and Maps: A Braille Guide for the Mattress Factory’s permanent collection exists at our Admissions Desk and can be requested for access. Braille and large print versions of our Gallery Guide are available near the Admissions Desk.
Gallery Lighting: Lighting in certain galleries may be dimmed by the artist’s request. Please be aware that the Sampsonia Annex and the second floor of our Main Building have dim lighting.
Social Stories: Prepare for your museum experience with our social stories. These guides contain photographs and descriptions of what to expect during your visit at the Mattress Factory.
Sensory Kits: Located at the Admissions Desk in our Main Building, the Mattress Factory offers Sensory Kits that can be checked out during your visit. These kits include noise cancelling headphones, ETC.
Visitors who have limited English proficiency may request an interpreted tour in a specified language and an attempt will be made to locate a translator who speaks the requested language. Please provide three weeks’ notice to find the necessary resources.
Tours: Tours can be arranged for hearing and visually impaired visitors, as well as those with limited English proficiency. Accessible tours may include tactile tours, VR experiences, ASL or language interpreters, and Autism Sensory tours. Please provide three weeks’ notice for the Mattress Factory to find the necessary resources.
Guides: Large print visitor guides are available at the Admissions Desk in our Main Building. Braille guides are available at each building and may be checked out for use while visiting the museum.
If you have questions or need assistance for your next visit, call (412) 231-3169 during our operating hours or email our Accessibility Coordinator, Neaco Fox.