The Utah Deaf History Museum
at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Compiled & Written By Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2013
Updated in 2024
Author's Note
I had the privilege of working with Rob Kerr, Julio Enriquez, and Nancy Christensen Li, all members of the Utah Association of the Deaf Museum Committee, to create the museum. In 2014, the museum expanded its reach with Pamela Mower's innovative ideas, which enabled us to showcase our rich history in the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I invite you to experience the unique journey through our rich history by visiting our museum whenever you have the opportunity!
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Boards
of the Utah School for the Deaf
of the Utah School for the Deaf
Kenneth C. Burdett, a significant figure in preserving the history of the Utah School for the Deaf, graduated from the school in 1929 and from Gallaudet College in 1934. He later became a teacher at the school. In 1976, he played a crucial role in organizing the first Utah School for the Deaf reunion. He and his team created eight 4 x 8-foot bulletin boards displaying historical photos of the school on both sides. They used a special ModPodge to protect the pictures from deterioration. The goal was to allow alums to reminisce about the school's history and appreciate it for years to come. The bulletin boards showcased various activities and settings, including academics, athletics, commencements, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents, supervisors, and Deaf clubs. Kenneth's efforts not only preserved the school's history but also fostered a sense of community among the alums, inspiring them to cherish their shared past
It is important to remember that while Kenneth's efforts were significant in preventing the loss of much of the school's history, they should not mark the end of our preservation journey. As alums and supporters of the Utah School for the Deaf, we must acknowledge our collective responsibility and remain vigilant in preserving our school's history. The fact that the bulletin boards are now stored in a warehouse in Ogden, Utah, by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and are left unattended should serve as a stark reminder of the importance of our ongoing efforts to preserve these memories.
In 2005, Bobby Giles, a 1983 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, and his team at Eye-Sign Media LLC, including Julio Diaz Jr. and Jim Harper, created a significant historical record. Their video, "Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah: Summer 2005," features insightful interviews with Ronald C. Burdett, the son of Kenneth and a 1965 graduate, Darlene Stewart Cochran, a 1962 graduate, and C. Roy Cochran, a 1961 graduate. These personal memories and experiences at the Utah School for the Deaf provide a unique perspective on the school's history, making the film a crucial addition to our preservation efforts.
In 2005, Bobby Giles, a 1983 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, and his team at Eye-Sign Media LLC, including Julio Diaz Jr. and Jim Harper, created a significant historical record. Their video, "Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah: Summer 2005," features insightful interviews with Ronald C. Burdett, the son of Kenneth and a 1965 graduate, Darlene Stewart Cochran, a 1962 graduate, and C. Roy Cochran, a 1961 graduate. These personal memories and experiences at the Utah School for the Deaf provide a unique perspective on the school's history, making the film a crucial addition to our preservation efforts.
A Slideshow of
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Boards
Kenneth C. Burdett's Bulletin Boards
Photograph by Duane L. Kinner
Planning a Museum at the superintendent's House
at the Utah School for the Deaf
at the Utah School for the Deaf
George Wilding, a graduate of the Idaho School for the Deaf and member of the Utah Deaf community, expressed the desire to establish a museum at the superintendent's residence on the Utah School for the Deaf campus during Harlan Fulmer's administration (1978–1983) as the superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The Utah Deaf community considered the superintendent's home on 20th Street a historic site in Utah. George requested the museum receive photographs from the early 1900s, books written with a feather pen, trophies, and accolades. Several older Deaf individuals expressed interest in contributing their belongings to the museum. According to George, one of the alums owned an old leather basketball from the 1920s, and another woman wanted to donate a dress she had made while working at the Utah School for the Deaf. However, the state of Utah did not fund the museum, a decision that left the Utah Deaf community deeply disappointed. The plan eventually fell through, and in 1979, the superintendent established the Parent Infant Program in his former home.
The Failure of Establishing a Museum
at Utah School for the Deaf
at Utah School for the Deaf
In 1981, Ned C. Wheeler, a 1933 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf and a member of the Advisory Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, was passionately working on setting up a museum for the school. His dedication to preserving the school's history was unparalleled. Unfortunately, he passed away that same year, leaving a legacy of commitment and love for the school. In the late 1980s, the school's rich heritage began to decline due to mainstreaming, and the construction of the new USDB Administration building in 1993 left no space for the museum. The Utah Deaf community expressed deep disappointment and mourned the irreplaceable loss of the school's sports trophies during the relocation.
Establishing a Utah Deaf History Museum
at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
Robert G. Kerr, a 1959 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf and a board member of the Utah Association of the Deaf, spearheaded the Utah Association of the Deaf Museum Committee. He saw the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center as the ideal site for our museum. The Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing funded this project, which also received support from Philippe Montalette, President of the Utah Association of the Deaf, and Marilyn Tiller Call, Director of the Sanderson Community Center. The museum's purpose is not just about preserving our shared history but also about celebrating it, our collective memory, and the unique identity that makes our community so special.
A Museum at the
Idaho School for the Deaf
Idaho School for the Deaf
David "Jerry" Wilding, an Idaho Deaf Historian and George Wilding's brother, passionately established a museum at the Idaho School for the Deaf in 1975. The museum is still running.