The Historical Archives of the
Utah School for the Deaf
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Edited by Valarie G. Kinney
Published in 2012
Updated in 2026
Edited by Valarie G. Kinney
Published in 2012
Updated in 2026
Author's Note
As a community historian, I am committed to preserving and documenting the history of the Utah School for the Deaf. Through the collection, scanning, and preservation of photographs, documents, publications, and other historical materials, I hope to help ensure that these important resources remain accessible to future generations.
The history of the Utah School for the Deaf reflects the experiences, achievements, and contributions of generations of Deaf students, educators, families, and community leaders. By preserving these records, we gain a deeper understanding of the people and events that helped shape Deaf education and the Utah Deaf community.
This webpage provides a brief introduction to that history through documents, photographs, yearbooks, records, and other archival materials. Together, these resources offer valuable insight into the evolution of the Utah School for the Deaf and its enduring impact on generations of Deaf individuals and families throughout Utah.
I invite you to explore the materials presented here, including the scanned documents and photographs featured in the slideshow. These records preserve important memories and provide a lasting connection to the people, places, and experiences that shaped the Utah School for the Deaf.
Thank you for your interest in preserving and learning about this important chapter of Utah Deaf history.
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
The history of the Utah School for the Deaf reflects the experiences, achievements, and contributions of generations of Deaf students, educators, families, and community leaders. By preserving these records, we gain a deeper understanding of the people and events that helped shape Deaf education and the Utah Deaf community.
This webpage provides a brief introduction to that history through documents, photographs, yearbooks, records, and other archival materials. Together, these resources offer valuable insight into the evolution of the Utah School for the Deaf and its enduring impact on generations of Deaf individuals and families throughout Utah.
I invite you to explore the materials presented here, including the scanned documents and photographs featured in the slideshow. These records preserve important memories and provide a lasting connection to the people, places, and experiences that shaped the Utah School for the Deaf.
Thank you for your interest in preserving and learning about this important chapter of Utah Deaf history.
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
A Brief History of the
Utah School for the Deaf
Utah School for the Deaf
Since its founding in 1884, the Utah School for the Deaf has played a vital role in the education, leadership development, and cultural identity of Deaf Utahns. For generations, the school has provided educational opportunities, fostered lifelong friendships, and helped shape leaders who have made significant contributions to Utah's Deaf community. The following timeline highlights key milestones in the school's history.
1884
A significant milestone in Deaf education occurred in 1884 with the establishment of the Utah School for the Deaf at the University of Deseret, later renamed the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City. The school's creation was largely due to the perseverance of John Beck and William Wood, two parents of Deaf children who recognized the need for specialized educational opportunities in Utah.
Despite challenges such as limited financial resources and the search for a qualified teacher, Beck and Wood successfully gathered information about Deaf children throughout the territory and petitioned the legislature to establish a school. Their efforts were ultimately approved, creating new educational opportunities for Deaf children and their families and laying the foundation for future generations of Deaf Utahns.
Dr. John Rocky Park, president of the University of Deseret, assumed responsibility for establishing the new school. Unable to locate a qualified Deaf teacher in the territory, he traveled east in 1884 and met Dr. Edward Miner Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College. Dr. Gallaudet recommended Henry C. White, a Deaf graduate of Gallaudet College from Boston, Massachusetts. White was subsequently appointed principal and teacher of the Utah School for the Deaf. Despite limited resources and little support from the hearing community, he served with distinction and helped build Utah's first Deaf educational program.
1896
Following Utah's admission to the Union in 1896, the Utah School for the Deaf was relocated to Ogden, Utah. During the same period, educational services for blind students were expanded, eventually forming what became known as the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
The Deaf school was located at 20th Street and Monroe Avenue, while the school for blind students was established at 7th Street and Harrison Boulevard. This move marked an important chapter in the growth and development of specialized education in Utah.
1956
In the Salt Lake Valley, parents of Deaf children partnered with the Stewart Training School at the University of Utah to establish a local oral day school. The program opened in the fall of 1956 and provided an oral educational option for Deaf students living in the area.
1959
In 1959, the Utah School for the Deaf established an Extension Division to provide Deaf students with educational opportunities closer to home. Over time, Extension Division programs expanded into various regions of Utah, allowing Deaf children living in more populated communities to attend day programs without relocating to Ogden.
1991
On October 1, 1991, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new facility for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at 742 Harrison Boulevard in Ogden, Utah. The new campus represented a major investment in the future of Deaf and blind education in the state.
1993
Two years later, in 1993, the former Utah School for the Deaf campus was sold to the Ogden School District by the Utah State Board of Education. Administrative operations for the Utah School for the Deaf and the Utah School for the Blind were consolidated on a newly developed 13.5-acre campus at 742 Harrison Boulevard in Ogden.
1999
In 1999, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf was established in Salt Lake City by Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, a Deaf parent, and Jeff Allen, a hearing parent of a Deaf child. The public charter school was named in honor of Jean Massieu, a renowned French Deaf educator and one of the earliest Deaf teachers in recorded history.
The school provided an ASL-English bilingual educational model and became an important option for Deaf children and their families.
2005
In 2005, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf merged with the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, allowing its bilingual educational philosophy to continue within the state education system.
2011
In 2011, the ASL-English bilingual program at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden was named the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett.
A graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf's Class of 1929, Burdett devoted four decades of service to the school from 1934 to 1974. During his distinguished career, he served as a boys' supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator. His dedication left a lasting impact on generations of Deaf students and educators.
2020
In 2020, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind campus in Springville named its ASL-English bilingual program the Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf in honor of Elizabeth DeLong.
A graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1897 and Gallaudet College in 1902, DeLong later returned to the school as a teacher and served for fifteen years. She also became a pioneering leader in Utah's Deaf community when she was elected the first female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1909. Her contributions to Deaf education, leadership, and advocacy continue to inspire Deaf Utahns today.
A Lasting Legacy
For more than 140 years, the Utah School for the Deaf has remained a cornerstone of Deaf education in Utah. Through changing educational philosophies, new programs, and generations of students and educators, the school has continued its mission of providing Deaf children with access to education, language, community, and opportunity.
Its history reflects the perseverance, leadership, and accomplishments of the many individuals who helped shape Utah's Deaf community and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
1884
A significant milestone in Deaf education occurred in 1884 with the establishment of the Utah School for the Deaf at the University of Deseret, later renamed the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City. The school's creation was largely due to the perseverance of John Beck and William Wood, two parents of Deaf children who recognized the need for specialized educational opportunities in Utah.
Despite challenges such as limited financial resources and the search for a qualified teacher, Beck and Wood successfully gathered information about Deaf children throughout the territory and petitioned the legislature to establish a school. Their efforts were ultimately approved, creating new educational opportunities for Deaf children and their families and laying the foundation for future generations of Deaf Utahns.
Dr. John Rocky Park, president of the University of Deseret, assumed responsibility for establishing the new school. Unable to locate a qualified Deaf teacher in the territory, he traveled east in 1884 and met Dr. Edward Miner Gallaudet, president of Gallaudet College. Dr. Gallaudet recommended Henry C. White, a Deaf graduate of Gallaudet College from Boston, Massachusetts. White was subsequently appointed principal and teacher of the Utah School for the Deaf. Despite limited resources and little support from the hearing community, he served with distinction and helped build Utah's first Deaf educational program.
1896
Following Utah's admission to the Union in 1896, the Utah School for the Deaf was relocated to Ogden, Utah. During the same period, educational services for blind students were expanded, eventually forming what became known as the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
The Deaf school was located at 20th Street and Monroe Avenue, while the school for blind students was established at 7th Street and Harrison Boulevard. This move marked an important chapter in the growth and development of specialized education in Utah.
1956
In the Salt Lake Valley, parents of Deaf children partnered with the Stewart Training School at the University of Utah to establish a local oral day school. The program opened in the fall of 1956 and provided an oral educational option for Deaf students living in the area.
1959
In 1959, the Utah School for the Deaf established an Extension Division to provide Deaf students with educational opportunities closer to home. Over time, Extension Division programs expanded into various regions of Utah, allowing Deaf children living in more populated communities to attend day programs without relocating to Ogden.
1991
On October 1, 1991, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new facility for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at 742 Harrison Boulevard in Ogden, Utah. The new campus represented a major investment in the future of Deaf and blind education in the state.
1993
Two years later, in 1993, the former Utah School for the Deaf campus was sold to the Ogden School District by the Utah State Board of Education. Administrative operations for the Utah School for the Deaf and the Utah School for the Blind were consolidated on a newly developed 13.5-acre campus at 742 Harrison Boulevard in Ogden.
1999
In 1999, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf was established in Salt Lake City by Minnie Mae Wilding-Diaz, a Deaf parent, and Jeff Allen, a hearing parent of a Deaf child. The public charter school was named in honor of Jean Massieu, a renowned French Deaf educator and one of the earliest Deaf teachers in recorded history.
The school provided an ASL-English bilingual educational model and became an important option for Deaf children and their families.
2005
In 2005, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf merged with the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, allowing its bilingual educational philosophy to continue within the state education system.
2011
In 2011, the ASL-English bilingual program at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in Ogden was named the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett.
A graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf's Class of 1929, Burdett devoted four decades of service to the school from 1934 to 1974. During his distinguished career, he served as a boys' supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator. His dedication left a lasting impact on generations of Deaf students and educators.
2020
In 2020, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind campus in Springville named its ASL-English bilingual program the Elizabeth DeLong School of the Deaf in honor of Elizabeth DeLong.
A graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1897 and Gallaudet College in 1902, DeLong later returned to the school as a teacher and served for fifteen years. She also became a pioneering leader in Utah's Deaf community when she was elected the first female president of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 1909. Her contributions to Deaf education, leadership, and advocacy continue to inspire Deaf Utahns today.
A Lasting Legacy
For more than 140 years, the Utah School for the Deaf has remained a cornerstone of Deaf education in Utah. Through changing educational philosophies, new programs, and generations of students and educators, the school has continued its mission of providing Deaf children with access to education, language, community, and opportunity.
Its history reflects the perseverance, leadership, and accomplishments of the many individuals who helped shape Utah's Deaf community and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
Students of the Utah School for the Deaf, spring 1945. They were going on the annual spring hike. Photo courtesy of Kenneth and Ilene Kinner
ARCHIVES
I have attached a list of Utah Deaf historical resources available in the digital archives for your convenience. These materials highlight significant events, influential individuals, and the development of educational, social, and cultural institutions within the Utah Deaf community.
I hope these resources encourage further exploration and appreciation of our shared history and heritage.
I hope these resources encourage further exploration and appreciation of our shared history and heritage.
- The Utah School for the Deaf 1884 – 1984 Enrollment List. Compiled by Rodney W. Walker (PDF)
- The Establishment of the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind in Ogden, Utah. State of Utah Constitutional Convention, May 3, 1895 (Internet)
- History of the Utah School for the Deaf. Edited by Edward Allen Fay, 1893 (PDF)
- Report of the Utah School for the Deaf and Dumb, 1896-1920. Boston Public Library (Internet)
- Biennial Report of the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind, 1896-1902. Hathi Trust Digital Library (Internet)
- Chronology of USDB (PDF)
- A History of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Written by Irma Acord Pace, May 18, 1946 (PDF)
- Special Alumni Issue. The UAD Bulletin, April 1955 (PDF)
- The 1950’s Utah School for the Deaf Brochure. Completed by the boys in the printing and photography departments of the USD under the direction of Kenneth C. Burdett, head instructor (PDF)
- The 1960's Utah School for the Deaf Brochure. Completed by the boys in the graphic arts classes of the Utah School for the Deaf under the direction of Kenneth C. Burdett, head instructor and William Richins, assistant (PDF)
- Utah Association of the Deaf Scrapbook (Internet)
- The "First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni" Program Book. June 24 - 16, 1976 (PDF)
- The "A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion" Program Book. June 28 – 30, 1984 (PDF)
Accreditation Visiting Team Report on the
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and
Its Impact on the Residential Campus
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and
Its Impact on the Residential Campus
In 2010, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) underwent an evaluation of its services conducted by an Accreditation Visiting Team during the administration of Superintendent Steven W. Noyce. The Accreditation Visiting Team Report noted that some students living in the dormitory and cottage facilities reported feelings of loneliness despite efforts to create a home-like environment. The report also indicated that many Utah families were reluctant to enroll their children in residential programs, creating challenges for sustaining and expanding residential services (Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Accreditation Visiting Team Report, 2010).
These concerns reflected broader educational trends that had been developing for several decades. During the special education reforms of the 1970s, national educational policies underwent significant changes. The passage of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, expanded educational opportunities for students with disabilities and enabled many families to access services closer to home. As a result, residential schools across the United States experienced declining enrollments as increasing numbers of students were educated in their local communities.
These concerns reflected broader educational trends that had been developing for several decades. During the special education reforms of the 1970s, national educational policies underwent significant changes. The passage of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, expanded educational opportunities for students with disabilities and enabled many families to access services closer to home. As a result, residential schools across the United States experienced declining enrollments as increasing numbers of students were educated in their local communities.
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah, in 1945. Top Row (L-R): Paulino Garahana, Rosalee Caraveau, Ruby Anderson, Beverlee Hansen, Lee Shepherd. Bottom Row (L-R): Lorraine Whitesides, Vynola Kernel, Josie Feichko. Photo courtesy of Kenneth and Ilene Kinner
At the same time, many alums of the Utah School for the Deaf shared experiences that differed from the perspectives expressed in the Accreditation Visiting Team Report. In the First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni Booklet (1976) and A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion Booklet (1984), former students described positive experiences and successful adjustments to life at the residential campus in Ogden. They recalled lifelong friendships, extracurricular activities, athletic participation, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging within the Deaf community (First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni Booklet, 1976; A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion Booklet, 1984).
Similar themes are reflected in the book "A Journey Into the Deaf-World," in which the authors describe how residential schools often provided Deaf children with opportunities to interact with Deaf role models, educators, older students, and alums. These interactions helped foster personal identity, cultural awareness, community connection, and self-confidence. For many Deaf individuals, residential schools served not only as educational institutions but also as important centers of social and cultural development.
Questions have also been raised regarding the perspectives represented in the Accreditation Visiting Team Report. Steven Noyce was a former student of Dr. Grant B. Bitter's Oral Training Program at the University of Utah during the early 1970s and later supported the integration of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students into general education settings. Some members of the Deaf community have questioned whether these experiences and educational philosophies may have influenced the report's interpretation of residential education. Historical records indicate that alums were not formally consulted during the accreditation review process, leaving their perspectives absent from the final report.
Additional insight into residential life is preserved through historical film and photographic collections. In 1989, the Utah Association of the Deaf presented a 16-mm film, "A History of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940–1965 during its 33rd Biennial Convention. Along with the extensive film collection created by Kenneth C. Burdett, a 1929 graduate and later teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf, these materials preserve valuable visual documentation of student life, including classroom activities, social events, athletics, field trips, and graduation ceremonies (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1989).
Similar themes are reflected in the book "A Journey Into the Deaf-World," in which the authors describe how residential schools often provided Deaf children with opportunities to interact with Deaf role models, educators, older students, and alums. These interactions helped foster personal identity, cultural awareness, community connection, and self-confidence. For many Deaf individuals, residential schools served not only as educational institutions but also as important centers of social and cultural development.
Questions have also been raised regarding the perspectives represented in the Accreditation Visiting Team Report. Steven Noyce was a former student of Dr. Grant B. Bitter's Oral Training Program at the University of Utah during the early 1970s and later supported the integration of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students into general education settings. Some members of the Deaf community have questioned whether these experiences and educational philosophies may have influenced the report's interpretation of residential education. Historical records indicate that alums were not formally consulted during the accreditation review process, leaving their perspectives absent from the final report.
Additional insight into residential life is preserved through historical film and photographic collections. In 1989, the Utah Association of the Deaf presented a 16-mm film, "A History of the Utah School for the Deaf: 1940–1965 during its 33rd Biennial Convention. Along with the extensive film collection created by Kenneth C. Burdett, a 1929 graduate and later teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf, these materials preserve valuable visual documentation of student life, including classroom activities, social events, athletics, field trips, and graduation ceremonies (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1989).
W. David Mortensen. Photo courtesy of W. David and Shanna Mortensen
In June 1990, W. David "Dave" Mortensen, then president of the Utah Association of the Deaf and a graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, reflected on his experiences at the residential campus in the UAD Bulletin. He described his years at the school as "very, very happy times," emphasizing the educational opportunities, friendships, leadership experiences, and extracurricular activities that shaped his life. Mortensen credited the residential environment with fostering personal growth and helping students develop lasting connections within the Deaf community.
At the same time, Dave acknowledged that educational practices had changed and raised important questions about the long-term effects of mainstreaming. Rather than dismissing alternative educational models, he encouraged educators and families to consider the experiences of residential school alums when evaluating educational options for Deaf children. His reflections emphasized the importance of examining multiple viewpoints and recognizing that educational experiences can vary among individuals and across generations (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1).
At the same time, Dave acknowledged that educational practices had changed and raised important questions about the long-term effects of mainstreaming. Rather than dismissing alternative educational models, he encouraged educators and families to consider the experiences of residential school alums when evaluating educational options for Deaf children. His reflections emphasized the importance of examining multiple viewpoints and recognizing that educational experiences can vary among individuals and across generations (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1).
Utah Association for the Deaf President W. David Mortensen's President's Message. Source: UAD Bulletin, June 1990, p. 1
The photographs and film materials presented below provide additional insight into life at the Ogden residential campus. Together with alums accounts, they offer valuable historical perspectives on the educational, social, and community experiences of Deaf students during this period. Readers are encouraged to explore these materials and consider the diverse viewpoints that have shaped discussions about Deaf education in Utah. By examining both official reports and firsthand accounts, a more complete understanding of the residential school's history and legacy can emerge.
Students at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah, around 1944 are (L-R) Kirk Allred, Steve Masich, Bruce Eyre, Pete Koukoutsakis, Mike Patterson, Paul Loveland, and Tony Jelaco Photo courtesy of Kenneth and Ilene Kinner
A Slideshow of the
Utah School for the Deaf
The photographs featured in this slideshow highlight students who attended the Utah School for the Deaf and shared memories of their experiences at the school. Their stories reflect the friendships, activities, achievements, and daily experiences that shaped their lives and contributed to the school's vibrant community.
These images preserve an important chapter of Utah Deaf history and provide a lasting connection to the generations of students who called the Utah School for the Deaf their home. Together, they offer a glimpse into the educational, social, and cultural experiences that helped shape the Deaf community in Utah.
Enjoy exploring these memories and the rich history they represent.
These images preserve an important chapter of Utah Deaf history and provide a lasting connection to the generations of students who called the Utah School for the Deaf their home. Together, they offer a glimpse into the educational, social, and cultural experiences that helped shape the Deaf community in Utah.
Enjoy exploring these memories and the rich history they represent.
Deaf students at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah, Fall 1949. Top row L-R: Carol McTee, Renea Nelson, Arthur Valdez, Bruce Harvey, Max Hardy, and Carol Nelson. Lower row: Rollin Jones, La Vell Olson, Doyle Fergus. Upper row: Alden Broomhead, and a girl at the bottom whose name is unknown.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth and Ilene Kinner
References
A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion Booklet. 1984.
First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni Booklet. 1976.
Lane, Harlan L., Robert J. Hoffmeister, and Benjamin J. Bahan. A Journey into the Deaf-World. San Diego, Calif.: DawnSignPress, 1996.
"Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Accreditation Visiting Team Report." May 10-11, 2010. http://www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/accred/Reports/DOCS/USDB-VT-Report-2010.aspx
First Reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni Booklet. 1976.
Lane, Harlan L., Robert J. Hoffmeister, and Benjamin J. Bahan. A Journey into the Deaf-World. San Diego, Calif.: DawnSignPress, 1996.
"Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Accreditation Visiting Team Report." May 10-11, 2010. http://www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/accred/Reports/DOCS/USDB-VT-Report-2010.aspx
