Deaf and Blind School

WY-98

In 1906, the Virginia General Assembly authorized the Virginia School for Colored Deaf and Blind Children. Founded by deaf humanitarian William C. Ritter and Hampton Delegate Harry R. Houston, the school opened on 8 Sept. 1909 to serve students from throughout Virginia. More than 100 acres were eventually purchased or donated for buildings used for instruction, dormitories, an infirmary, a farm, and other facilities for academic and vocational training programs. Desegregated by 1964, after several name changes the school was renamed The Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-disabled at Hampton in 2000.

Department of Historic Resources, 2006

See a problem? Report it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov.

DHR could use your help! We don't have a recent image of this marker. If you have one that you'd like to submit for inclusion on this site, please send it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov.

References/Bibliographic Citation:

Selected pages from Financial Journal, Virginia School for Colored Deaf and Blind, June 1, 1908-September 30, 1912 (Printing and Publishing Expenses 1908-1910, Paid on Building Expenses 1908-1910, Board of Visitors Expenses 1909-1910); Receipts Journal, VA State School for Colored Deaf and Blind Children, 1914; American Annals of the Deaf, vol. 58, 1913 (pp. 32, 87, 106-107), School Brochure Virginia State School, Hampton Virginia (date unknown); 90 Proud Yearbook, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind at Hampton, 1997-1998; 90 Proud Founder’s Day Celebration Session Highlights, October 14, 1996; Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Hampton, Window to the Past, 1906-1984 (Chronology, 1984).