The Utah Deaf History Collection
at Utah Valley University's
George Sutherland Archives
at Utah Valley University's
George Sutherland Archives
Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Published in 2023
Updated in 2025
Published in 2023
Updated in 2025
Author’s Note
On October 18, 2012, Philippe Montalette, President of the Utah Association of the Deaf, Marilyn Tiller Call, Director of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and I had the privilege of visiting the esteemed George Sutherland Archives at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. This visit was a significant milestone, further enriched by the generosity of Catherine McIntyre, the archivist who has since retired, and her two colleagues, Aimee Bastarache and Brent Seavers. Their willingness to share their knowledge, expertise, and passion was pivotal in our understanding of the materials we were donating.
Philippe Montalette
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Marilyn Tiller Call
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Following our visit, we made a significant contribution by donating our Utah Deaf-related historical materials, including those listed below, to the George Sutherland Archives for digitization for research and historic preservation. This act of generosity and trust from our side is a testament to the importance we place on preserving our shared history.
We are deeply grateful for the meticulous preservation of our Utah Deaf History collection. Your dedication to this task is crucial in ensuring the preservation of our history over time. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the preservation of our heritage!
If you're interested in donating your pictures or materials, please let me know, and I'll be happy to assist you with the process. I hope you'll consider it so we can preserve history through accessible digitization.
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
We are deeply grateful for the meticulous preservation of our Utah Deaf History collection. Your dedication to this task is crucial in ensuring the preservation of our history over time. Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the preservation of our heritage!
If you're interested in donating your pictures or materials, please let me know, and I'll be happy to assist you with the process. I hope you'll consider it so we can preserve history through accessible digitization.
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
In 2016, the George Sutherland Archives undertook a significant task of digitally scanning and uploading the scrapbook and minutes of the Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions to their digital collections. This monumental effort, led by Catherine McIntyre, the archivist and digitization librarian at the George Sutherland Archives, brought to life a long-awaited project.
Catherine Mclntyre
Dr. Bryan Eldredge, a professor and program director of ASL and Deaf Studies, played a pivotal role in the success of this archival project. His collaboration with the Sutherland Archives, led by Catherine McIntyre, was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Their joint efforts deserve recognition for the significant impact they had on preserving the history of the Utah Deaf community.
Dr. Bryan Eldredge
Utah Association of the Deaf
Conventions Minutes Books, 1909-1952
Conventions Minutes Books, 1909-1952
Valerie G. Kinney, a dedicated Utah Association for the Deaf officer and member, played a crucial role in preserving the history of the Deaf community. She safeguarded the two books containing minutes from the triennial and biennial of the Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions between 1909 and 1952.
The Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions Minutes, 1909-1952
Valerie G. Kinney also preserved the two books containing minutes from the triennial and biennial Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions held between 1909 and 1952.
Valerie G. Kinney
The Scrapbook of the
Utah Association of the Deaf
Conventions, 1931-1984
Utah Association of the Deaf
Conventions, 1931-1984
Georgia Henricks Walker, a 1930 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, played a unique role in preserving the history of the Utah Association of the Deaf. From 1931 to 1984, she collected, preserved, and compiled the Utah Association of the Deaf Conventions scrapbook as the organization's secretary. This scrapbook, a testament to her dedication, contains clippings from Utah newspapers related to the Utah Deaf community, Utah Association of the Deaf convention programs, and associated memorabilia.
Gerogia Henricks Walker's Utah Association of the Deaf conventions scrapbook, 1931-1984
Gerogia Henricks Walker
Valerie G. Kinney, recognizing the importance of the scrapbook, preserved it and later handed it over to me when I began my work on the history of the Utah Association of the Deaf. With the invaluable help of the scrapbook, I was able to expand the history. Once the history was completed, we, as a collective, donated it to the Sutherland Archives at Utah Valley University, furthering our shared dedication to preserving the history of the Deaf community in Utah, a testament to the community's active role in preserving its own history.
The Large Scrapbook of the
Utah Deaf Community, 1940s-1980s
Utah Deaf Community, 1940s-1980s
Valerie G. Kinney was also responsible for maintaining a large brown scrapbook that Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a prominent Deaf leader in Utah between the 1940s and the 1980s, compiled. The scrapbook is filled with newspaper clippings covering controversies between oral and sign language, which were significant in shaping the education and communication methods for the Utah Deaf community. It also includes the activism of the Utah Association of the Deaf and updates on the Utah School for the Deaf. The newspaper clippings proved to be invaluable in filling historical gaps. After completing the "Deaf Education History in Utah" manuscript, we donated the scrapbook to the UVU Sutherland Archives.
A Large Scrapbook of the Utah Deaf Community, 1940s-1980s
The UAD Bulletins, 1960s-1970s
LaVern Petersen Burnett, a graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1943 and the spouse of Joseph Ball Burnett, a prominent figure in the Utah Deaf community, made significant contributions to The UAD Bulletins from the 1960s to the 1970s. Her work was instrumental in advancing our understanding of Utah Deaf History.
LaVern's contributions were not just significant; they were invaluable. Her work was instrumental in helping me fill in the gaps as I researched Utah Deaf History. After completing the project, I donated the UAD Bulletins to the UVU Sutherland Archives.
LaVern's contributions were not just significant; they were invaluable. Her work was instrumental in helping me fill in the gaps as I researched Utah Deaf History. After completing the project, I donated the UAD Bulletins to the UVU Sutherland Archives.
The UAD Bulletin, Summer 1963, Vol 2 No 10
LaVern Petersen Burnett, a 1943 Senior of the Utah School for the Deaf
Dr. Jay J. Campbell's 1977
Comprehensive Study
of Deaf Education in Utah
Comprehensive Study
of Deaf Education in Utah
In 1977, Dr. Jay J. Campbell conducted his "Education of the Deaf in Utah: A Comprehensive Study" to resolve and address the ongoing controversy between oral and sign language in Utah. Despite facing challenges, Dr. Campbell completed his research on February 15, 1977, and submitted it to the Utah State Board of Education on April 14, 1977. In his study, Dr. Campbell presented findings, ideas, and recommendations to improve the education system at the Utah School for the Deaf, including proposing more fair evaluation and placement systems. However, his findings were strongly opposed by Dr. Grant B. Bitter, a staunch advocate of oral education and mainstreaming, along with other oral advocates and parents, who argued that sign language was not a suitable means of education for the deaf. This disagreement led to a deep controversy that still resonates in the field of Deaf education today.
Dr. Jay J. Campbell's 1977 Comprehensive Study of Deaf Education in Utah
Regrettably, Dr. Campbell's comprehensive study faced opposition, and his efforts to improve education through fair assessment and placement procedures ultimately failed. Nonetheless, his two-year study, initially buried and forgotten, resurfaced in 2007 and gained recognition as a valuable source of information. Notably, his study continues to shape the future of Deaf education, offering hope for a fairer system and emphasizing the long-lasting impact of his work. The enduring influence of Dr. Campbell's study, which continues to be a guiding light in the field of Deaf education, demonstrates the lasting value of his research and the potential for positive change.
Dr. Jay J. Campbell. Source: UAD Bulletin, June 1973
When my father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, who graduated from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1954 and is the Deaf father of two Deaf children, Deanne and Duane, learned about my interest in Deaf Education History in Utah, he dug Dr. Campbell's book out of the dust and gave it to me. I utilized the book during my research for the history website and subsequently donated it to the UVU Sutherland Archives. You can find more information about Dr. Campbell's 'Comprehensive Study of Deaf Education in Utah' on this website. We were committed to ensuring Dr. Campbell's book was not forgotten or buried again. Thank you, Ken, for caring for Dr. Campbell's book and keeping it safe all these years!
Finally, in 2024, UVU's Sutherland Archives completed the digitization of Dr. Jay J. Campbell's Education of the Deaf in Utah: A Comprehensive Study, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Deaf education. This milestone not only preserves the past but also ensures that Dr. Campbell's work continues to inform and inspire future generations of educators, researchers, and advocates in the field. We cannot overstate the significance of this digitization, as it broadens the reach of Dr. Campbell's invaluable research and secures its preservation for future generations.
Finally, in 2024, UVU's Sutherland Archives completed the digitization of Dr. Jay J. Campbell's Education of the Deaf in Utah: A Comprehensive Study, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Deaf education. This milestone not only preserves the past but also ensures that Dr. Campbell's work continues to inform and inspire future generations of educators, researchers, and advocates in the field. We cannot overstate the significance of this digitization, as it broadens the reach of Dr. Campbell's invaluable research and secures its preservation for future generations.
Kenneth L. Kinner
The Collection of Don Curtis Jacobs'
The Utah Eagle Magazines
The Utah Eagle Magazines
On May 19, 2016, I paid Jeff Buhler $50 for a collection of The Utah Eagle publications. The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind issued these magazines from the 1900s to the 1940s. Jeff had found and purchased the magazines at an estate sale, and he contacted me through the Utah Deaf History website. When he offered to sell me the publications, I immediately agreed because I wanted to preserve this piece of history. Jeff's purchase saved the magazines from potential loss or disposal. The collection originally belonged to Don Curtis Jacobs, a graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf in 1942. Ultimately, I donated his collection to the UVU Sutherland Archives.
Don Curtis Jacobs, Source: The Utahan, 1942
Don Curtis Jacobs' Utah School for the Deaf Magazines
The Photo of the 1909
Utah Association of the Deaf Convention
Utah Association of the Deaf Convention
On August 1, 2022, I received an unexpected email from Julie Lowry. She offered to give me the original 1909 Utah Association of the Deaf photograph. I was thrilled and replied with a quick "Yes!" Julie explained that she found the photo at a garage sale in her neighborhood, where people were raising funds to pay for their granddaughter's medical bills. She found the photo in one of the donated books for the sale. The photo had the date 1909 written on it in pencil. Julie did not know who the previous owner was or how the photo ended up at the sale, adding a mysterious element to the story. She bought it and kindly mailed it to me. I'm incredibly grateful to Julie for finding and sharing this over-100-year-old piece of history with me!!
The 1909 Utah Association of the Deaf Convention, Ogden, Utah
The Publications of the
Utah School for the Deaf
Utah School for the Deaf
For many years, the Utah School for the Deaf published "The Utahan," "Utahn," and "The Utah Eagle," which contained a wealth of Utah Deaf history. The Utah Eagle magazines from 1932 to 1978 were proudly displayed in the lounge at the Sanderson Community Center, marking a significant period in Utah Deaf history. These periodicals, a testament to the dynamic and diverse Utah Deaf community, showcased student-written stories, student news, Deaf education research, school programs, classes, clubs, sports, and activities, among other things. The Utah School for the Deaf, a key player in preserving Utah's rich Deaf history, also published the "Utahan" and "Utahn" yearbooks.
Pamela Mower
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Melanie Garn Sperry
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However, during the 2023 remodeling, the center needed more space and had to part with the significant collection. Employees Pamela Mower and Melanie Garn Sperry entrusted me with the collection to donate to the George Sutherland Archives, a key institution in preserving Utah's Deaf history. This donation ensures continued access to these valuable publications.
On October 20, 2023, the UVU Sutherland Archives received all these publications for digitization and preservation. This crucial step ensures that these invaluable records of Utah's Deaf history will be accessible to future generations, providing reassurance about their continued preservation.
On October 20, 2023, the UVU Sutherland Archives received all these publications for digitization and preservation. This crucial step ensures that these invaluable records of Utah's Deaf history will be accessible to future generations, providing reassurance about their continued preservation.
The Utah School for the Deaf's periodicals, 2023
The Deaf Periodicals Donated to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture
Brooke Budzinski Grossinger
The lounge of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing also displayed periodicals such as "The Silent Worker," "The Deaf American," "The Deaf Life," "American Annals of the Deaf," Gallaudet's "The Buff & Blue," "Volta Voice," and others. However, the UVU Sutherland archives did not have space for them, so I donated them to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture in Olathe, Kansas.
I am grateful to Brooke Budzinski Grossinger, the Deaf Senior Community Relationship Manager of Sorenson Communications, and Sorenson Communications for their collaborative effort in covering the shipping costs to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture. Their support has been critical to this preservation project. Knowing that the periodicals are in excellent hands is a huge relief. I was unsure what to do when I learned that the Gallaudet University Archives already had the original and digitized copies. I didn't have the means to ship them to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture for preservation. Thankfully, Brooke and Sorenson Communications stepped in and helped with the shipping costs!
I am grateful to Brooke Budzinski Grossinger, the Deaf Senior Community Relationship Manager of Sorenson Communications, and Sorenson Communications for their collaborative effort in covering the shipping costs to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture. Their support has been critical to this preservation project. Knowing that the periodicals are in excellent hands is a huge relief. I was unsure what to do when I learned that the Gallaudet University Archives already had the original and digitized copies. I didn't have the means to ship them to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture for preservation. Thankfully, Brooke and Sorenson Communications stepped in and helped with the shipping costs!
The Deaf American Publications
The American Annals of the Deaf and Gallaudet's Buff & Blue Publications
The Deaf Americans publications featured Deaf Utahns, Robert J. Welsh, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, Ray G. & Arthur W. Wenger, and Ned C. Wheeler
I want to express my gratitude to Robert G. Kerr, a 1959 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf and former president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, for scanning the UAD Bulletin and The Silent Spotlight Newsletters. These documents hold the organization's rich history, including its activism, activities, recognitions, and more. The Utah Association of the Deaf has been publishing the UAD Bulletin since 1954 and continues to do so. I organized and sent them to UVU's George Sutherland Archives for digitization, a process that has significantly improved the accessibility of these materials. As a result, they are now easily viewable. A big thank you to everyone involved!
Robert G. Kerr
As shown in the photo below, those UAD Bulletins belonged to Valerie G. Kinney, a longtime member of the Utah Association of the Deaf. I'm not ready to let them go, so I will donate the bulletins to the archives when the time comes.
The UAD Bulletins, the Utah Association of the Deaf's publications
Shirley Hortie Platt, a long-time sports leader, generously donated the Deaf Athletics Collection from 1957 to 2015 to UVU's George Sutherland Archives for preservation and digitization. We are incredibly grateful for her contribution!
Shirley Hortie Platt
