Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,158
- Reaction score
- 7
KOMU.com - School for the Deaf Thrives - Coverage You Can Count On
The Missouri School for the Deaf is an institution whose history is only outshined by the legacy of its students.
In 1851 - its first year - the school was called the Missouri School for the Deaf and Dumb -- dumb meaning, not being able to talk. The city of Fulton still has the first known picture of the school, taken sometime between 1874 and 1884.
The school was established to give deaf children of the state a place to thrive and excel academically.
"The purpose of the school really is they want people who know the deaf can learn things through visual."
In the early days of MSD, students lived there all year long. They went to school and worked on their trades, and the boys were also taught riflery.
"Because when they went home, they had to hunt animals for food. It was how their families survived."
The school was run like a military school. The uniforms helped keep all students on the same level, regardless of their socio-economic status. About the time the wearing of uniforms ended, segregation ended.
"They had their own school, their own class, separate black and white over here. They played sports separately until 1954-55"
Every one was excited to integrate because to them, skin color had never been an issue.
"It didn't matter the skin color, they talked to each other, didn't matter, they played."
Sports has been a popular theme in the history of MSD. Team pictures pepper the museum, with football teams as far back as 1905.
Another running theme at the school is distinguished visitors. When Winston Churchill came to Fulton in 1946, MSD students worked at a reception for him.
"Churchill didn't realize that the girls - the students - who were serving the tables were deaf. He later found out they were deaf, and appreciated how nice the service was."
Through the years, enrollment at the Missouri School for the Deaf has decreased. MSD used to have 350 to 400 students, now they have just a little more than 100. Legally, the school can enroll students at age 5 and they stay until they are 21. Though their numbers have dwindled, the school's committment to its philosophy never has.
"They have this school as a place they can grow, be who they are."
While the learning in this school is silent, its enduring history speaks volumes.
The Missouri School for the Deaf is an institution whose history is only outshined by the legacy of its students.
In 1851 - its first year - the school was called the Missouri School for the Deaf and Dumb -- dumb meaning, not being able to talk. The city of Fulton still has the first known picture of the school, taken sometime between 1874 and 1884.
The school was established to give deaf children of the state a place to thrive and excel academically.
"The purpose of the school really is they want people who know the deaf can learn things through visual."
In the early days of MSD, students lived there all year long. They went to school and worked on their trades, and the boys were also taught riflery.
"Because when they went home, they had to hunt animals for food. It was how their families survived."
The school was run like a military school. The uniforms helped keep all students on the same level, regardless of their socio-economic status. About the time the wearing of uniforms ended, segregation ended.
"They had their own school, their own class, separate black and white over here. They played sports separately until 1954-55"
Every one was excited to integrate because to them, skin color had never been an issue.
"It didn't matter the skin color, they talked to each other, didn't matter, they played."
Sports has been a popular theme in the history of MSD. Team pictures pepper the museum, with football teams as far back as 1905.
Another running theme at the school is distinguished visitors. When Winston Churchill came to Fulton in 1946, MSD students worked at a reception for him.
"Churchill didn't realize that the girls - the students - who were serving the tables were deaf. He later found out they were deaf, and appreciated how nice the service was."
Through the years, enrollment at the Missouri School for the Deaf has decreased. MSD used to have 350 to 400 students, now they have just a little more than 100. Legally, the school can enroll students at age 5 and they stay until they are 21. Though their numbers have dwindled, the school's committment to its philosophy never has.
"They have this school as a place they can grow, be who they are."
While the learning in this school is silent, its enduring history speaks volumes.