CSDB Monthly History Lesson

Major H. McAllister, friend of General Palmer, donated a printing press to the school.  This printing press became an important part of our history. On January 30, 1875 the first copy of the “Deaf-Mute Index” was printed.  The name of the publication was later changed to the “Colorado Index.” 

Manners of the time: “In walking or driving, always turn to the right when you meet a person.  It is polite to recognize friends and acquaintances on the street.  It is the custom for gentlemen to take off their hats when they meet ladies. When a lady accidentally drops anything in the street, any gentleman near, whether he knows her or not, should pick it up and hand it to her.  The lady should not fail to thank him.” Colorado Index 

The School for the Blind secondary classes had discussions about the trades CSDB taught and the addition of many buildings between 1884-1900. Each student then created a building from clay and toothpicks, seeing whose building was taller, or enjoyed an activity with brooms which connected to our broom making trade from long ago. The elementary students used shaving cream as an example of a fire retardant used to smother a large fire, after hearing about the Antler’s Fire in the late 1800’s.

The School for the Deaf Elementary program showed what teatime would have been like in the 1890s and the kids experienced a tea manners demonstration. Then, the teacher explained about the beginning of electricity at CSDB, the trades taught and practiced, and the invention of the football huddle by Paul Hubbard, CSDB School for the Deaf alumnus.

The School for the Blind secondary and elementary students watched the 1901-1920 video, then talked about WWI, the flu, the need for students to stay on campus for the holiday, and the school’s dairy and chickens. Many students said they would have liked to drink coffee instead of milk. The activities included decoding a message in New York Point for the secondary students and the elementary, making a chicken that "clucked" using plastic cups, string, and sponge, while listening to music from the period as they worked on their craft.

The School for the Deaf elementary students looked at old photos of the CSDB buildings and the 1911 clock that still stands in the Administration Building.  They learned about burros that were used to haul away rubbish, and ponies that were given to the school for the students to ride. They also enjoyed the stories of the chickens who laid eggs on campus. Later, the students design toy color wheels made from paper plates that can whirl until the colors blend into white. 

The School for the Blind older students experienced barbering and hairstyling using colorful wigs and barber tools. The younger students discussed the measuring and weighing needed during baking, and lifted a variety of jars containing different items as a hands-on method of discussing weights. 

After learning how the students, from back then, cooked for themselves, the School for the Deaf K-5th grade students shook jars with heavy cream for a long time until they made butter. After spreading the button onto the bread, they ate! 

In the School for the Blind, some students participated in flag twirling. They learned flag positions based on the hands of a clock and how to spin the flag. They practiced a routine to an Elvis song. Other students tapped out drum beats to go along with the routine. This activity related to the 1958 story about the School for the Blind baton twirling team.

In the School for the Deaf, students discussed the history of CSDB, 1941-1960, including the School Building fire, cheerleading, heaps of snow, and more.  Students learned an ASL chant, used pom-poms, and practiced a routine. 

Celebrating CSDB history, 1961-1980, in the School for the Deaf Elementary, Rachella and Ashley, Teachers of the Deaf, led students through slides showing the State Championship Football team, technology created during this time, and more.  Students were challenged to consider a popular theme/event in this era and use ASL or act it out so others could guess.