E. W. WALKER ...................................................................................................................
Superintendent and Steward
EDGAR D. FISK ....................................................................................................................................................
Clerk
MRS. E. W. WALKER ........................................................................................................................................
Matron
MISS TILLIE CANNAN ......................................................................................................................
Assistant Matron
This institution is located at Delavan, Walworth county,
on the Southwestern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
St. Paul railroad, sixty miles from Milwaukee. The land first
occupied, comprising 11 46-100 acres, was donated by Hon. F.
K. Phoenix, one of the first trustees, but the original boundaries
have since been enlarged by the purchase of twenty-two acres.
The main building was burned to the ground on the 16th of September,
1879, but during the year 1880 four new buildings were erected,
and with the increased facilities provided, 250 children may
be well cared for.
The new buildings are a school house, boys' dormitory, dining
room and chapel, with a main or administration building.
These buildings are plain, neat, substantial structures and
well fitted for the uses mentioned.
The institution was originally a private school for the deaf,
but was incorporated by act of the Legislature, April 19,
1852, and it is now maintained by the State of Wisconsin
for the education of those children within her borders who, on
account of deafness, are unable to receive instruction in the
common schools. It has three departments:
First--The school, in which the pupils are taught writing,
reading, composition, arithmetic, geography, history, natural
science, and drawing. Instruction in lip reading and oral
speech is given to the semi-mutes and capable congenital mutes.
Second--The shops, where the pupils are taught printing,
cabinet making and shoemaking.
Third--The domestic department, in which they discharge various
household duties, and learn baking and sewing.
The law provides that all deaf and dumb residents of this
state, of proper age and suitable capacity to receive
instruction, shall be received and taught free of charge.
The regular course of instruction occupies about eight years.
The latest and most popular text books, globes, maps, charts,
etc.,--so far as they are adapted to deaf mute instruction,--are
employed. Articulation and lip reading are taught by ladies of
skill and experience with very gratifying results.
The day is divided into hours for labor, study, and recreation,
with the design of securing habits of industry and
promoting health as well as intellectual and moral development.
No leave of absence is granted during the term, except in cases
of sickness or extreme necessity.
Deaf mutes of Wisconsin, of proper age, are admitted to the
privileges of the institution free of charge, being furnished
tuition, books, board and washing. Friends are required to
pay the traveling and incidental expenses, and to provide clothing,
a sufficient supply of which should be furnished at the beginning
of the school year, or sent by express as needed.
Candidates for admission should not be under eight nor more
than twenty years of age, of sound moral principles and
good physical health. Imbecile, idiotic or feeble-minded
children are not received.
The annual session begins the first Wednesday in September,
and continues forty weeks.
The summer vacation extends from June to September. Pupils
are sent home promptly at the close of the term,
accompanied to prominent railroad points by messengers from
the institution.
There has been paid from the state treasury, up to July 1,
1904, for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs and
current expenses of the school, in all, the sum of $1,906,603.44.
The whole number of pupils under instruction from the opening
of the school in 1852 is 1,371, of whom 174 were in
attendance June 30, 1906.
The average number of pupils the past year was 187, as against
190 the previous year, and the current expenses