First DC’s Deaf and Blind School was located on G Street NW between 21st and 22nd Streets. Founders were Platt H. Skinner and his Deaf wife, Jerusha.

Identified teachers between Feb 1856-Feb 1857:
Charles M. Grow, Deaf
Lucinda E. Grow, Deaf
J. Orville Olds, Deaf (Identified “deaf” based on what Edward Miner Gallaudet said)
J. Adams, hearing

Residence was owned by Colonel Gardner with a playground and gardens.

School was once on Kendall-Green’s land between September 1857 and October 1857 and returned back to G Street.

Kendall went to Legislature to create a school in December 1857, while Skinner ran the school on G Street.

Legislature was passed in Feb 1857 and afterwards same month, Kendall filed a writ of summons on false abuse charges against Skinner.

Students were still with Skinners during the trial. By April, Skinners had to abandon the students and Kendall took them. Started Kendall School April 1857.

Skinners then went to Niagara Falls, NY to start a Black Deaf and Blind School in fall 1857. School was then moved to Trenton, NJ, 1860 until closed down in 1866. Platt H. Skinner fell ill and died in 1866 caused school to close down.

Researcher and Narrator, Kathleen L. Brockway
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(Ann S., first student, PC: Gallaudet University Archives)