The American School for the Deaf will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2017.

The original Gallaudet Building at the American School for the Deaf. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Historical Society

Submitted by Rennie Polk, American School for the Deaf

A $17,224 grant to the American School for the Deaf (ASD) by Connecticut Humanities will provide funding for the planning of ASD’s 200^th Anniversary Exhibit to be held in 2017.

ASD is collaborating with the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) to host an exhibit, which will showcase the history of the school, its prominence in deaf education, and its role as an integral part of the fabric of Hartford for two hundred years. The exhibit will open at the Connecticut Historical Society on April 15, 2017 – two hundred years to the day of ASD’s founding.

The grant by Connecticut Humanities will fund a portion of the planning for this exhibit, specifically consultation from an archivist, facilitation of three focus groups who will determine the themes of the exhibit, and the digitization of 1,000 pieces of ephemera, artifacts and collection materials directly related to the exhibit.

“We are very excited to be working with the Connecticut Historical Society to plan our 200^th Anniversary Exhibit.  This exhibit will not only showcase the many facets of deaf education, but also ASD’s influence in Hartford and on the evolution of deaf education throughout the country.  This project would not be possible without the generous support of Connecticut Humanities and I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to partner with them on this effort.” said Jeff Bravin, ASD’s Executive Director.

Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community and enrich lives.

For more information about the 200^th ASD Anniversary Exhibit contact Elizabeth DeRosa at 860-570.2212 or visit www.asd-1817.org