Arriving visitors purchase tour tickets in the visitor center. Visitors completing their tours pass through Alvarado MT turnstiles to reach the visitor center to leave the property. The turnstiles rotate in one direction only to allow tour guests access into the visitors center, but stop guests who have not paid from entering the tour area. An Alvarado pedestrian gate provides wheelchair and stroller passage.
Historical Museum Replaces Alvarado Access Control Products after 30 Years of Use
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is a historical plantation and museum which was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, from 1804 until his death in 1845. Located 10 miles east of downtown Nashville, many historians consider Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage to be the best preserved early U.S. presidential home. Since opening as a museum in 1889, more than 16 million people have toured the mansion, garden and grounds of the 1,100 acre facility.
Arriving visitors purchase tour tickets in the visitor center. Visitors completing their tours pass through Alvarado MT turnstiles to reach the visitor center to leave the property. The turnstiles rotate in a single direction to allow tour guests access into the visitors center, but prevent guests who have not paid for the tour from entering the tour area. An Alvarado pedestrian gate provides wheelchair and stroller passage.
The Alvarado turnstiles and gate were installed in 1987. Recently, The Hermitage contacted Alvarado Senior Sales Representative, Dale Staton, to ask about obtaining replacement parts. We thought it would be interesting to talk with Tony Guzzi, Vice President of Preservation & Site Operations, to learn a bit about his experience with Alvarado’s products.
Q: Describe your venue, installation and how the products are used?
A: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage is the home of the nation’s 7th president. We have 1100 acres and 10 pre-Civil War era buildings. Our Alvarado turnstiles are outdoors in a breezeway at our Visitor Center and they prevent visitors from going onto the property without purchasing a ticket, but allow visitors completing their tours to return to the visitor center.
Q: How were you introduced to Alvarado?
A: Honestly, we weren’t introduced to Alvarado until about 30 years after these turnstiles were installed. Certainly, no one here actually knew who the manufacturer was or had any reason to find out because we never had any issues with the turnstiles until this year. That is when we tracked down Alvarado to order parts or a replacement product. In the 30 years they’ve been in operation almost six million people have gone through these turnstiles.
Q: Can you describe your experience working with Alvarado?
A: Everyone we’ve worked with at Alvarado has been pleasant to work with and willing to go the extra mile to help us. They’ve also been cognizant of our non-profit status and willing to aid us where they can.
Q: What else can you tell other professionals about the benefits of working with Alvarado?
A: As I’ve mentioned, a reliable, long lasting product and excellent customer service.
Q: How have the Alvarado products worked for you?
A: Our Alvarado turnstiles and gate provided a reliable means of access control for 30 years. Even today they still function well. We just need to correct some small issues and new units proved more cost effective.
Q: How many visitors go through your turnstile?
A: Around 200,000 annually.
Q: How much maintenance is needed?
A: Occasionally, we have had to tighten some screws down, but otherwise no maintenance was really required.
Q: What value is associated with an Alvarado Turnstile or gate?
A: The value I associate with them are quality, reliability and safe operation.
Q: How was your experience with Dale Staton?
A: Dale has been great to work with on our turnstiles. He objectively told us what would be best for our situation rather than what would be best for Alvarado and/or for himself. He put the customer first and that is what counts!
