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{{Short description|School for the blind in Philadelphia}} |
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[[File:Overbrook School for Blind.JPG|thumb|Overbrook School for the Blind]] |
[[File:Overbrook School for Blind.JPG|thumb|Overbrook School for the Blind]] |
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[[File:Overbrook 2162650585 323a686cdf o.jpg|thumb|The school in 1911]] |
[[File:Overbrook 2162650585 323a686cdf o.jpg|thumb|The school in 1911]] |
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The '''Overbrook School for the Blind''' was established in 1832 in [[Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. They produced the first [[embossed book]] in America, the [[Gospel of Mark]] and the first magazine for the blind.<ref>{{cite book |author=Edith Willoughby |coauthors= |title=Overbrook School for the Blind |year=2007 |publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]] |page= |quote=Their efforts resulted in providing reading material for the blind and Overbrooks production of the first embossed book in America, the Gospel of Mark, and the publication of the first magazine for the blind, Lux en Tenebrae. | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HI5weLxCMlUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Overbrook+School+for+the+Blind&hl=en&ei=1G7oTNDHJMGB8gak1_CxDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false |isbn= }}</ref> |
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The '''Overbrook School for the Blind''' in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], was established in 1832.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us - Overbrook School for the Blind |url=https://www.obs.org/who-we-are/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.obs.org}}</ref> Its present site, in the city's [[Overbrook, Philadelphia|Overbrook]] neighborhood, was acquired in 1890.<ref>{{cite web |last1=OBS history |title=Overbrook School for the Blind - Our Museum and History |url=https://www.obs.org/who-we-are/our-museum-and-history.cfm |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref> Along with the [[Pennsylvania School for the Deaf]], the [[Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children]] and the [[Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf]], it is one of four state-approved charter schools for blind and deaf children in Pennsylvania. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind by John Caspar Wild.png|thumb|1840 print by [[John Caspar Wild]] showing the Twentieth and Race (then Sassafras and Schuylkill Third) Streets building]] |
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It was established in March 1832 by [[Julius Reinhold Friedlander]] (1803–1839), a German who had recently come to Philadelphia, and called it '''The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind'''. By 1835 the school had moved to permanent quarters at 20th and Race Street in Philadelphia. Friedlander died in 1839. In the 1890s a larger building was needed. The new building was designed by [[Cope and Stewardson]] and was built in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia. A swimming pool was built in 1906. In 1946 the school changed its name to the Overbrook School for the Blind.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.obs.org/page.php?ITEM=106 |title=The History of our School |accessdate=2010-11-21 |quote= |publisher=Overbrook School for the Blind }}</ref> In 1960 the school had a fire.<ref>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Blind Telephone Operator – Heroine Of Fire |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oMAtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f5sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5287,3705009&dq=overbrook+school+for+the+blind&hl=en |quote=Blind 17-year-old Hayes, insert at left, was acclaimed heroine of a fire which swept the Overbrook School for the Blind near Philadelphia last night. ... |work=[[Reading Eagle]] |date=March 11, 1960 |accessdate=2010-11-21 }}</ref> |
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The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind opened in March 1832. A few years later, on October 27, 1836, a new building was dedicated on the northwest corner of Schuylkill Third (now Twentieth) and Sassafras (now Race) Streets on what is today the site of the [[Franklin Institute]] in the [[Logan Square, Philadelphia|Logan Square]] neighborhood of Philadelphia.<ref name="Freund">{{cite book |last1=Freund |first1=Elisabeth D. |title=Crusader for light: Julius R. Friedlander, founder of the Overbrook School for the Blind, 1832 |date=1959 |publisher=Dorrance & Co. |location=Philadelphia |pages=92–93}}</ref> |
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The school's founder, Julius R. Friedlander, died on 17 March 1837, after years of poor health. At the time of his death, he was not quite 36 years old.<ref name="Freund"/>{{rp|122}} |
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During the early 1900s, the school offered athletic programs for its students.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/270397008/?terms=%22Overbrook%20School%20for%20the%20Blind%22&match=1 The Blind Engaged in Sports]." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: ''Carlisle Evening Herald'', June 11, 1907, front page (subscription required).</ref> In June 1907, Overbrook's track and field team members defeated their rivals from the Baltimore School for the Blind in the annual intercollegiate competition held between the schools.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/168263082/?terms=%22Overbrook%20School%20for%20the%20Blind%22&match=1 Blind Boys Shine in Athletics on Track and Field]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', June 9, 1907, p. 15 (subscription required).</ref> |
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That same month, Professor Olin H. Burrit became the new superintendent of the school. He had previously been employed as the superintendent of the New York State School for the Blind.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/328894142/?terms=%22Overbrook%20School%20for%20the%20Blind%22&match=1 Prof. O. H. Burrit of Batavia Resigns]." Buffalo, New York: ''The Buffalo News'', April 19, 1907, p. 5 (subscription required).</ref> |
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In December 1907, the school's forty-member choir performed at the dedication of Philadelphia's Grace Baptist Temple.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/168337142/?terms=%22Overbrook%20School%20for%20the%20Blind%22&match=1 Grace Baptist Church Dedicated]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', December 2, 1907, p. 14 (subscription required).</ref> |
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The school was renamed the Overbrook School for the Blind in 1946, expanding and growing over the next decades. The school building suffered a fire in 1960.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blind Telephone Operator – Heroine Of Fire |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oMAtAAAAIBAJ&pg=5287,3705009&dq=overbrook+school+for+the+blind&hl=en |work=[[Reading Eagle]] |date=March 11, 1960 |access-date=2010-11-21 }}</ref> |
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The building began to experience leaks in 2012 and a complete roof replacement was undertaken that same year. The building's [[Ludowici Roof Tile|Ludowici tiles]] were replaced with new ones produced by the original manufacturer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hanus |first1=Chrystine Elle |title=A standard of excellence |url=https://www.professionalroofing.net/Articles/A-standard-of-excellence--11-01-2014/3553 |website=Professional Roofing |publisher=National Roofing Contractors Association |access-date=16 February 2024 |date=November 2014}}</ref> |
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==Notable people== |
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[[Anne V. Ward]] (1877–1971) was both an alumna and a faculty member of Overbrook.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37763807/obituary_for_anne_v_ward_aged_56/ Anne V. Ward Dies, Teacher of Blind, 94"] ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' (June 2, 1971): 53. via [[Newspapers.com]]</ref> |
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[[Elisabeth Freund]] (1898–1982) developed a Touch and Learn Center for the school that was a model for other blind centers internationally.<ref>Hirsch, Luise. 2013. From the shtetl to the lecture hall: Jewish women and cultural exchange.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Overbrook School for the Blind}} |
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*{{Official| |
*{{Official website|obs.org}} |
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*{{HABS |survey=PA-1637 |id=pa1044 |title=Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind, Sixty-fourth Street and Malvern Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA |photos=5 |cap=1}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1832 establishments in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1832]] |
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1832]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Philadelphia]] |
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[[Category:Overbrook, Philadelphia]] |
[[Category:Overbrook, Philadelphia]] |
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[[Category:Private schools in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Schools for the blind in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Special schools in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Schools in Philadelphia]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:26, 12 December 2024
The Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was established in 1832.[1] Its present site, in the city's Overbrook neighborhood, was acquired in 1890.[2] Along with the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, it is one of four state-approved charter schools for blind and deaf children in Pennsylvania.
History
[edit]
The Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind opened in March 1832. A few years later, on October 27, 1836, a new building was dedicated on the northwest corner of Schuylkill Third (now Twentieth) and Sassafras (now Race) Streets on what is today the site of the Franklin Institute in the Logan Square neighborhood of Philadelphia.[3]
The school's founder, Julius R. Friedlander, died on 17 March 1837, after years of poor health. At the time of his death, he was not quite 36 years old.[3]: 122
During the early 1900s, the school offered athletic programs for its students.[4] In June 1907, Overbrook's track and field team members defeated their rivals from the Baltimore School for the Blind in the annual intercollegiate competition held between the schools.[5]
That same month, Professor Olin H. Burrit became the new superintendent of the school. He had previously been employed as the superintendent of the New York State School for the Blind.[6]
In December 1907, the school's forty-member choir performed at the dedication of Philadelphia's Grace Baptist Temple.[7]
The school was renamed the Overbrook School for the Blind in 1946, expanding and growing over the next decades. The school building suffered a fire in 1960.[8]
The building began to experience leaks in 2012 and a complete roof replacement was undertaken that same year. The building's Ludowici tiles were replaced with new ones produced by the original manufacturer.[9]
Notable people
[edit]Anne V. Ward (1877–1971) was both an alumna and a faculty member of Overbrook.[10]
Elisabeth Freund (1898–1982) developed a Touch and Learn Center for the school that was a model for other blind centers internationally.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "About Us - Overbrook School for the Blind". www.obs.org. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ OBS history. "Overbrook School for the Blind - Our Museum and History". Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ a b Freund, Elisabeth D. (1959). Crusader for light: Julius R. Friedlander, founder of the Overbrook School for the Blind, 1832. Philadelphia: Dorrance & Co. pp. 92–93.
- ^ "The Blind Engaged in Sports." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Carlisle Evening Herald, June 11, 1907, front page (subscription required).
- ^ "Blind Boys Shine in Athletics on Track and Field." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 9, 1907, p. 15 (subscription required).
- ^ "Prof. O. H. Burrit of Batavia Resigns." Buffalo, New York: The Buffalo News, April 19, 1907, p. 5 (subscription required).
- ^ "Grace Baptist Church Dedicated." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 2, 1907, p. 14 (subscription required).
- ^ "Blind Telephone Operator – Heroine Of Fire". Reading Eagle. March 11, 1960. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
- ^ Hanus, Chrystine Elle (November 2014). "A standard of excellence". Professional Roofing. National Roofing Contractors Association. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "Anne V. Ward Dies, Teacher of Blind, 94" The Philadelphia Inquirer (June 2, 1971): 53. via Newspapers.com
- ^ Hirsch, Luise. 2013. From the shtetl to the lecture hall: Jewish women and cultural exchange.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Overbrook School for the Blind.
- Official website
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-1637, "Pennsylvania Institute for the Blind, Sixty-fourth Street and Malvern Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA", 5 photos, 1 photo caption page
