The Sanderson Community Center Museum
Compiled & Written By Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2013
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2013
Kenneth C. Burdett
Kenneth C. Burdett, Utah School for the Deaf alumnus of 1929 and a long time teacher of the school, turned his energies and focus to preserving the heritage of the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) for the first reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1976. Kenneth and his team pasted the USD historical pictures on both sides of eight 4 x 8 foot bulletin boards, permanently covered with a special Mod Podge to preserve them from deterioration so that USD alumni could remember their fond memories and appreciate the history of USD for years to come. The images describe activities and scenes of campus life including academics, athletics, commencement exercises, superintendents, principals, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents/supervisors, and deaf organizations in Utah. Without his efforts, much of this history would have been lost or remained disorganized. Unfortunately, his bulletin boards are left unattended in the warehouse at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden, Utah.
Bobby Giles, 1983 alumnus of Utah School for the Deaf shot and produced a film called, "Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden, Utah: Summer 2005." It is narrated by Kenneth's son, Ron Burdett, alumni of 1965 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVinPzkDiEg&list=UUruWl1BGgOL2ScmZ0jpekYw
Ron displayed his father's bulletin boards along with two other alumni, C. Roy Cochran, class of 1961 and his wife, Darlene Stewart, class of 1963. In this film, they all shared the history of USD and their fond memories while attending USD as a student. Bobby's team, Julio Diaz and Jim Harper supported the film to make this happen. Enjoy watching the film!
Bobby Giles, 1983 alumnus of Utah School for the Deaf shot and produced a film called, "Utah School for the Deaf (USD) in Ogden, Utah: Summer 2005." It is narrated by Kenneth's son, Ron Burdett, alumni of 1965 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVinPzkDiEg&list=UUruWl1BGgOL2ScmZ0jpekYw
Ron displayed his father's bulletin boards along with two other alumni, C. Roy Cochran, class of 1961 and his wife, Darlene Stewart, class of 1963. In this film, they all shared the history of USD and their fond memories while attending USD as a student. Bobby's team, Julio Diaz and Jim Harper supported the film to make this happen. Enjoy watching the film!
A Slideshow of
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Boards
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Boards
Photograph by Duane L. Kinner
George Wilding, mid-1980s
Under the administration of Harlan Fulmer (1978-1983), superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB), George Wilding, a member of the Utah Deaf community, noted the desire of the Deaf community to establish a museum at the superintendent’s residence on the Utah School for the Deaf campus. They felt the home of the superintendent on 20th Street was a historic landmark in the state of Utah. George asked that the pictures dating back to the early 1900s, books written with a feather pen, trophies and awards, be donated to the museum. Several deaf senior citizens were interested in donating their materials to the museum as well. George recorded that one fellow had an old leather basketball made in the 1920s. Another lady wanted to donate her dress that she made at USD in the 1920s. Apparently, the state of Utah was not able to fund the museum. The plan fell through. In 1979, the superintendent's residence was turned over to the Parent Infant Program.
USD Superintendent's Residence
Ned C. Wheeler
In 1981, Ned C. Wheeler, 1933 Utah School for the Deaf alumnus and a member of the Advisory Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, was in the process of organizing a museum for the school, but passed away that year. In the late 1980s, the rich heritage was declining due to mainstreaming and the new USDB Administration building, which was built in 1993 with no space available for the museum. It was a huge let down for the Utah Deaf community, especially since the school sport trophies went missing after the move.
Rob Kerr, 2014
Rob Kerr, Utah School for the Deaf alumnus of 1959 and a board member of the Utah Association of the Deaf, was the chair of the UAD Museum Committee. He visualized a museum being established at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center. With the support of Philippe Montalette, UAD president, and with the efforts of Marilyn Call, director of the Sanderson Community Center, the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing allocated $5,000 of state funds for the museum in 2012 (The museum shelves were made by the prisoners). The UAD Museum Committee, consisting of Rob Kerr, Julio Enriquez, Nancy Christensen Li and Jodi B. Kinner worked together to make it a reality.
David "Jerry" Wilding, 2010
George Wilding’s brother, David "Jerry," an Idaho Deaf Historian established a museum at the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in 1975. It is still up and running.