For one hundred and sixty-three years, St. Mary's School for the Deaf has served deaf and special needs students of Western New York. A caring and dedicated group of teachers, administrators and support staff, deliver a warm, as well as state of the art education to a great group of hardworking young people. They continue the tradition of a school that was the first academic institution for the deaf in the United States. In 1883 a parcel of land was purchased at Main Street and Dewey where instruction of students took place in a building called the Branch House. The majority of students continued to study at their original location on Edward Street, until the formidable building you see today was completed in1898. Subsequent additions were made throughout the years, making it the comprehensive facility it is currently. The main building is a sprawling historical treasure in its Parkside neighborhood, with a few of the trees on the grounds dating back to its inception. The interior holds many jewels, from its extensive original woodwork and the stained glass of the old chapel, to the SMSD Museum and Archive. A tour of this fascinating structure is a worthwhile endeavor, not only for the architectural appeal, but as an insight into the rich history of deaf citizens and education in the Buffalo region.
In memoriam: Laura Dudley
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