education, he came to Mackay with strong administrative skills contract to build the school was awarded to the firm of that he learned as dean and then director of the Continuing Kempster & Brother of Hamilton, Ont.; architect for the project Education Program at Dawson College in Montreal. Spencer was a Mr. James Smith of , with construction super- majored in philosophy at the following universities: Carleton vised by government officials. Masonic ceremonies University in Ottawa (B.A., 1966), University of Western marked the laying of the cornerstone on August 12, 1869. Ontario in London (M.A., 1967), and McGill University in McGann was offered the post of principal, which he Montreal (Ph.D., 1972), where he also taught philosophy for declined, suggesting another candidate - Joseph John Gurney four years (1972-1976). Under his administration, the Mackay Terrill (b. 1839; d. Nov. 7,1869), his hearing son-in-law and an Center is currently working on establishing a bilingual/bicul- experienced teacher of the deaf whom McGann had supervised tural program for deaf students. The students and faculty held their first reunion on March 11-13, 1988. 'I1lis event, which occurred during the school's spring break, was co-ordinated by Jo Anne Stump (a deaf teach- er). The next reunion was held in the summer of 1993, with another planned for 1995 to commemorate the 125th anniver- sary of the school.

Ontario currently has three provincial schools for its deaf students: The Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville. the Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton. and the Robarts School for the Deaf in London. Two of the schools are relatively new, built in the 1960s and 1970s to Main building of the Ontario Institution for the Deaf and accommodate the increasing number of deaf children in the Dumb from 1870 until a new building was constructed in province. All three are also designated "resource centres" and 1921 (Belleville, Ont.) as such provide support services to local school boards and to The Canadian MutelGaliaudet University Archives families with preschool-aged deaf children. Ontario's provincial schools operate under the Ontario Ministry of Education and when his school was in Hamilton. Tragically, Terrill died on the Training. Some of the public and separate. (Catholic) school very day his appointment was confirmed. The search for an boards in the province also provide day schools or integrated administrator began again. In the summer of 1870, Dr. Wesley programs for deaf children. These include the Metropolitan ("Willie") Jones Palmer (b. June 11, 1834; d. June 3, 1888), a Separate School Board programs in Toronto and the Metro hearing man with cOIl'liderable experience teaching deaf chil- "['0r0l1toSchool for the Deaf (both of which are day programs). dren. was secured from the United States to become the first principal of the Ontario Institution. A native of Milton, f\.e.. he The Sir James Whitney School held this position for nine vtars (1870-1879). Prior to his appointment to the Belleville school, Palmer had studied at "for the Deaf Wake forest College (now University) in Winston-Salem. !'J.e. Originally called the Ontario Institution for the Education (1851-1852) and at Columbian College in Washington. D.C and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb when it opened in 1870. (B.Ph., 1852-1854).88 He taught at the North Carolina this educational facility in Belleville was renamed the Ontario Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind in Raleigh School for the Deaf in 1913.Sixty-one years later, in August (1858-1860) before being promoted to vice-principal (1860) and 1974, it was renamed the Sir James Whitney School for the later principal (1860-1870) there. (His was the only school for Hearing Handicapped, in honour of a hearing statesman who deaf students in the southern states to remain open during the had been premier ofthe province (1905-1914).The school owes U.S. Civil War.) Two other degrees were bestowed upon him b\' its existence to the persistence of John Barrett McGann (b. his alma mater (Columbian College) - an honourary MA in Dec. 25, 1810; d. Jan. 22, 1880), a hearing Irishman who pio- 1860 and an honourary Ph.D. on June 29,1870. neered deaf education in the province (1858-1870).86 On When the Ontario Institution opened, it was estimated that November 19, 1868, after years of pleading for a provincially there were 312 deaf people of school age in the province. A total funded institution for deaf children, McGann finally received of 107 of these enrolled at the new school, leaving 20~ who were positive support from the Ontario Legislature. However, there still not receiving any education.89 The age of admission was was considerable delay over the selection of a suitable location, seven to 17 years, and students could only attend for seven years and it was not until April 1869 that the city of Belleville was cho- (or until they reached the age of 21, whichever occurred first). sen as the site for the new school. A large tract of land of 86 During Palmer's tenure, the Ontario Institution became the acres was purchased about two and half kilomctres west of the first Canadian school for deaf students to publicly embrace the municipality on the picturesque shore of the Bay of Quinte, and American system of manual education. Palmer discarded the work commenced at once with an initial grant of $85,000.87The British two-handed fingerspelling, which was commonly used

_ 92 ~ ,.ilJJ7(-1(».. f . 1»..£-1 JVu'3i -7 - ~ &-~ . ",ufo tJTl; : Me~ - >M.; 1I IZ.If; !if S (}-A J <:.,q 0( c, . 0- 01- ~51378-1 in Ontario at that time, and introduced the American one-hand- by one visitor to the school as "a born teacher, an accomplished ed alphabet. He also encouraged the use of "the sign language" scholar and a man of keen, strong, intellectual power. He has, (which became widely known as American Sign Language in and he deserves, the thorough confidence of his pupils and he the 1960s). As he wrote in his first report, "we have adopted the is doing noble work."98 When a sixth class was formed in system of instruction pursued in all of the older Institutions in September 1871, Palmer recruited the school's second deaf America," but admitted that he was still keeping an eye on the teacher - Annie Maria Perry (b. Mar. 28, 1838; d. Dec. 23, oral system being tried in a few United States' schools.90 For 1938) of Cobourg, Ont., a former student at the New York the majority of deaf students, Palmer felt that "the sign lan- Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in New guage, the natural language of the deaf and dumb, supplies the York City (1847-1852). proper means of communication, and through this medium The years between 1873 and 1894 saw new construction at they are made to understand written words and to use them the Ontario Institution. In 1873, the east end of the main build- correctly."91 To make sure that the instruct<,>rscould commu- ing was extended to enlarge the dining room so that two class- nicate effectively with their students, Palmer reported that "the rooms could be constructed overhead. The first vocational teachers are required to assemble weekly for practice in the building (used for carpentry classes and unofficially called the sign language."92 "Carpentry Building") was completed on the east side of the Unfortunately, in the later years of his educational career, main building, and fully equipped for the students. During the Palmer suffered from a drinking problem (more delicately 1876-1877 school session, Wood Hall, which was northwest of referred to in those days as "intemperate habits"). This condi- the Carpentry Building, was built to house a bursar's store tion was attributed in part to the long illness of his wife, "which for room, isolation hospital, sitting room, and dormitory for older several years deprived him of his much-needed rest at night."93 male pupils; in 1896 this structure was converted to vocational Whatever the reason for his personal problems, he lost his prin- classrooms. Both buildings were demolished in the late 1960s. cipalship in 1879.94 He moved to Marquette, Mich., where he The superintendent's residence, the only one of the original "engaged in business ... but never succeeded in recovering buildings built between 1870 and 1877 still standing today, was entire self-mastery."95 He then returned to North Carolina and constructed on the west side of the main school building. The was later committed to the Western Insane Asylum in next oldest building still remaining is the former Gibson Morganton. He died there in June 1888, killed "by deadly blows from one of the deranged inmates of the asylum."96 On the 20th of October, 1870, a large crowd witnessed the formal opening of the school, which had been built in the Gothic style and was officially named the Ontario Institution for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. The first three students were Duncan Morrison of Grey County, Arthur Bowen of Simcoe County, and Mary Ettie Grace of Norfolk County.97This number had increased to 70 by the end of the school term. One of the four teachers appointed for the first session was deaf. Samuel Thomas Greene (b. June 11. 1843: d Feb. 17, 1890), a graduate of the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb at Hartford, Conn., and the National Deaf-Mute College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C., became the first deaf person The schQol's shoe shop (circa 1896) ever to teach in the province of Ontario. Greene was described The Canadian Mute/Gallaudet University Archives

Manual class for younger students taught by Paul Denys, a hearing teacher (circa 1895) The sewing room (circa 1896) The Canadian Mute/Gallaudet University Archives The Canadian Mute/Gallaudet University Archives 1853); and Patrick Rowan, Bytown (now Ottawa) (age 9, 1849- Henry Dennie Reaves was the school's first Canadian graduate 1857); New Brunswick: George and James Taylor,Saint John to later teach at the New York Institution (1865-1883). Annie ;J- (age 9 and 11 respectively, both 1846-1850). Maria Perry (b. Mar. 28, 1838; d. Dec. 23, 1938) is believed to The New York Institution's register of pupils also listed 14 have become Canada's first deaf female teacher. She was additional Canadian pupils admitted between 1854 and 1865 - appointed to the teaching staff at the Ontario Institution for the 12 had come from "Canada West" (Ontario), one from "Canada Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in Belleville East" (), and one from Nova Scotia.l4 At least three of shortly after it opened in October 1870. the early Canadian pupils at the school made a name for them- In 1854, the Ohio Asylum reported that it had admitted only selves in later years. Marguerite (Margaret) Hanley (b. Sept. 9, one Canadian student since its inception in 1829. This pupil was 1842; d.Mar. 16, 1860) was the first deaf woman in Canada to John Sheriff of Chatham, Ont. (age 11, 1848-1852), who became become a nun. She took her vows shortly before her death. a coach-painter upon leaving schooJ.15

memorialized in many ways - in a statue, street name, postage stamp, school building, organization, Little Three of the most prominent hearing men in the his- Paper Family, sawmill town (now abandoned) between tory of deaf people are Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Indianapolis and Franklin, Ind., and even a U.S. cargo two of his sons, Thomas and Edward Miner Gallaudet. ship.16 The present-day Gallaudet University in The Gallaudet family left a rich legacy not only in the Washington, D.C. was named in his honour as well. United States, but in Canada as well. To a large extent, Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Gallaudet was the eldest of their influence shaped the course of history for deaf peo- 12 hearing children born to hearing parents, Peter ple on the North American continent. Wallace Gallaudet and Jane (nee Hopkins) Gallaudet. He was 13 years old when the family moved to Hartford in 1800. After finishing his college preparation at Hartford Grammar School in 1802, he attended Yale College (now The venerated Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (b. Dec. Yale University) in New Haven, Conn. for a total of five 10,1787; d. Sept. 10, 1851) was co-founder of the first years (A.B., 1802-1805; M.A., 1808-1810). He then permanent and publicly supported institution for deaf attended Andover (Mass.) Theological Seminary for two Americans (Hartford, Conn., 1817). His name has been years (1812-1814), where he was ordained as a Congregational minister. In 1813, Gallaudet, home from his theological studies, stood under an elm tree watch- ing an eight-year-old neighbour, Alice Cogswell, at play with some hearing children. He noticed that she was using simple gestures and did not seem to be fully com- municating with her playmates. This scene inspired Gallaudet to try to communicate with the deaf girl by writing "H-A- T" on the ground and showing her his own hat as an example. Alice caught on quickly. Her father, Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell, was thrilled at the thought that his deaf daughter could learn to read. For some time, he had wanted to open a school in Connecticut, so Alice would not have to be sent to Europe for her education. Cogswell asked Gallaudet to become her tutor and to consider opening a school for other deaf children as well. After much thought, Gallaudet agreed to the idea, and travelled to Europe in May 1815 to learn the best methods for teaching deaf children. In England, Gallaudet met with disappointment and defeat when the three English schools for deaf chil- dren - London Hackney, London Old Kent Road, and Birmingham (all controlled by the Braidwood family) - refused to share their secret of the oral methods for free. Fortunately for Gallaudet, he was invited by the Abbe Heads of the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf*

Wesley ("Willie") Jones Palmer, B.Ph., M.A.**, Ph.D.** Principal, 1870-1879 Robert Mathison, M.A.** Superintendent, 1879-1 906 Charles Bernard Coughlin, M.D. Superintendent, 1906-1928 William John Campbell Acting Superintendent, 1928-1930 Hiram Bingham Fetterly, B.A., M.A. Superintendent, 1930-1934 Harold Edwin Amoss, B.A., D.Paed. Acting Superintendent, 1934-1935 William John Morrison, B.A., B.Paed. Superintendent, 1935-1953 Joseph George Demeza, B.A., B.Paed., Litt.D. Superintendent, 1953-1979 Catherine Michalski, B.A., M.Ed. Superintendent, 1979-1984 Guy Ian Buller, B.A., M.Ed. Acting Superintendent, 1984-1986 & Superintendent, 1986-1993 Superintendent, 1993-present

'As of December 1994 •• Honourary

Deaf Educators/Teachers Known to Have Been Employed at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf*

Samuel Thomas Greene, B.A. 1870-1890 Annie Maria Perry 1871-1872 & 1874-1880 "'- Duncan John McKillop 1872-1901 Ambrose Wilcock Mason 1876-1878 Mary Ettie Lorenzen (later McDermid) 1878-1882 William Kay 1877-1880 William Nurse 1882-1923 Mary Bull 1882-1920 James Bell Ashley 1883-1894 James Hadden 1884-1890 Mary Nathalie L'Herault 1888-1892 Sylvia Lee (nee Chapin)Balis, M.A.*' 1890-1929 James Curtis Balis,B.A. 1890-1916 Ada Mary James 1891 -1898 & 1899-1931 Georgina C. Linn 1894-1924 Angus Alexander Mcintosh 1897-1898 Michael James Madden, B.Sc. 1898-1905 Nina Brown 1898-1929 Mary Jayne (nee Doran) Durkin 1969-1976 Donna Jeanne Fano, B.Ed. 1973-present Anne Elizabeth McKercher, B.A., M.Ed. 1976-1979 William Garth Gregory, B.Sc. 1991-present Kenneth Wayne Roberts, B.A. 1991-present Norbert Walter Robert Irion, B.A. 1993-present

'As of December 1994 .,Honourary

Sir James Whitney School was the oldest and the most in need being). In a November 17, 1993 announcement to "parents, of physical repairs and restoration, it seemed the most likely teachers, students and other key stakeholders," the Hon. Dave choice for closure. But, although the school seemed to be on Cooke (Minister of Education and Training) declared "there is the brink of being shut down, it has been spared (for the time no plan to close any of the Provincial or Demonstration