Is American Sign Language English? Our Incredible Tour That Touched Our Hearts Like No Other.

My text to family: “How to describe today. It seems impossible, trying to find the words, to make it so you even feel part of what we felt today. We went to West Hartford, CT, for a private tour of American School For The Deaf. This is the first permanent school for the deaf in USA. (The first was in VA and only lasted two weeks, since it closed after the principal was found always drunk!) This school was set up by Thomas Gallaudet (went to France and learned their sign language), Laurent Clerc (Deaf/mute, came from France to help establish American Sign Language and this school), and Mason Cogswell (doctor who did the first successful cataract surgery and jugular surgery, and was the dad to deaf daughter, Alice). Our personal tour guide, Brad, was a teacher here for 34 years. He now oversees the museum. It wasn’t just a tour of this artifact, that picture, and so on. His passion for this history was like none other. He had so many stories that we found so enlightened, awe-inspiring, and left us wanting more. The school started in 1817 and is still going. We both dare say, we have not been captured as deeply as we were today.“

The entrance to American School For The Deaf is grand. It is in West Hartford, CT. The buildings are set way back from the road and you can see them with a nice view of no trees blocking. The other day I had emailed the Cogswell Heritage Museum, part of this school, to see if there were any tours of the museum. I had said we would be in the area and gave the dates. I got an immediate reply and the day and time was set up. Perfect. I had explained I am newly deaf and my husband is hearing. She asked if I knew American Sign Language (ASL) and what we wanted to see. Great conversation. As per instructions, on the appointed day we went to the locked front door and stopped at security. She knew we were coming and got us checked in. It was fun to visit with her in ASL. 

Pic by Kevin; Charla & Brad, American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

Brad was our tour guide and let me tell you, I just can’t find the words to explain how amazing he is. His knowledge and passion are so electrifying and contagious. He was a teacher here for 34 years and then was made coordinator. After he retired, they asked him to come back and oversee the museum. And not just stand at the museum door! There are thousands and thousands of original letters and communications from Gallaudet, Clerc, Dr Cogswell, their wives and families, students, teachers, presidents and “movers and shakers” of this country. Incredible! Also, 98% of everything here is original not copies! 

Clock In ASL, American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

Brad signed ASL and spoke English. He took us in the main corridor of the school. The school is for birth through 12th grade. Currently there are over 550 students and they come from countries all over the world. They also have a in-patient treatment center for those who need more help. Brad pointed out the flags hanging from the countries where students have come from. The clocks are in ASL! 

Connecticut Freedom Trail, American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

There is a plaque in the front hallway that recognizes this school as part of the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Whoa! A beautiful 3-D picture of Gallaudet and children in also there. Brad said Gallaudet is always featured with a globe and a map because he loved travel so much. Sound familiar? 🙂 

The museum is in a former house. In the kitchen Brad shows us the china dishes. One day while teaching, someone mentioned that the kitchen of the school was giving out free china. He ran out of class, down the stairs, into the kitchen and grabbed all the china dishes so that they could be preserved. They have the school seal on them. They were used for special occasions and banquets. 

Next he showed us the boards about Monuments & Statues, ASD (American School For The Deaf) Distinctions, and Road Signs. A bank note from Hartford Bank, Sept 1, 1862, has engraved the ASD building and an image of founder Thomas Gallaudet. There is even a USS Liberty ship named, SS Thomas H Gallaudet!

So, what is the story of American Sign Language and how did it come about??? So glad you asked!

PEDRO PONCE DE LEON 1520-1584. A monk in Spain realized the deaf could be educated.

THE ABBE DE L’EPEE 1712-1789. Charles Michel de l’Epee was a minister. He saw two young deaf women and wanted to help them communicate. He invented a one-handed alphabet and then soon opened up a school in Paris where this was taught. “He awakened an interest in the deaf that no other person had succeeded in doing.” His work became known throughout Europe and soon the countries were sending men to him to be trained. He devoted his whole fortune and life to be of service to the deaf. When he died, a former student of his, The Abbe Sicard, was called to succeed him. 

THE ABBE SICARD 1742-1822 I am going to quote the whole sign, in case the glare makes it too hard to read, “American Sign Language derives not from English models, but from the French system of manual communication devised and perfected by the Abbe de l’Epee and the Abbe Sicard in the eighteen century at the Paris school for the deaf. It was to Sicard that Dr Cogswell applied for instruction books by which he hoped to open the doors of communication to his deaf daughter, Alice. And it was from Sicard that Gallaudet – rebuffed by the Braidwoods, an English family who held a monopoly on deaf education in Great Britain – received instruction in 1815-1816. Among the foundation stones of modern deaf education are the two-volume works of the Abbe Sicard: Theorie des signs: ou introduction a l’etude des langue (Paris: 1808), both of which are preserved in ASD’s library archives.”

So Respectful! Gallaudet’s Letter To Clerc’s Mother 1816, American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

When Gallaudet was going to take Clerc to the US, he actually wrote Clerc’s mom. He told her he knew Clerc was leaving friends, but his friends would be Clerc’s friends, his family would be Clerc’s family. I teared up when Brad told us that, and he did, too. Then we saw the actually letter! It is in French and someone has typed out the English words. Gallaudet was so respectful. 

Those Who Remember The Forgotten – Wow! American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

A large plaque was about to be destroyed in a landfill when the worker stopped and called up Brad to see if he wanted this. Yes he did! The title at the bottom is “To Those Who Remembered The Forgotten.” 

Brad showed up an original book printed in 1644 of the first manual signs.

First School Register, American School For The Deaf, West Hartford, CT 06/24

We saw the original registry of the school. The first student is Alice Cogswell! #14 is student Sophia Fowler, who entered school at 19, and after graduation married Gallaudet. Neat to read the comments of the students. It is amazing the museum has so many of these original things!!! 

Brad said they hope in 5 years to be able to move the museum into a bigger building. I said it would be fun for us to come help. I would be on the floor just surrounded by the letters and papers and wanting to read all of them! I can never remember all that we saw and heard.

It is overwhelming to think about Dr Cogswell, Thomas Gallaudet, and Laurent Clerc and all they did for the deaf, hard of hearing, and mute. All because Dr Cogswell wanted to help his daughter who became deaf at the age of 2.  And the ones in France who noticed and took action that deaf are, in fact, able to learn and communicate. To them, my heart offers the highest of praise, honor, and gratitude.