Around MSD - Maryland School for the Deaf

Daughters of the American
Revolution Founders’ Day
Annually in October, the Daughters
of the American Revolution gather
together on Founders’ Day to recognize
the establishment of their organization
on October 11, 1890. The DAR State
Regent (President) honored the Hessian
Barracks by selecting it as the site for
this year’s conference. Approximately
two hundred members of the DAR and
invited guests were in attendance on a
rather chilly but clear day. Ceremonies
included a Revolutionary War era color
Although the day was rather chilly, nearly 200 people participated
in the outdoor Founders’ Day Ceremony.
A Visit to Bjorlee Museum
Bjorlee Museum is an extraordinary building, not so much
the building itself as the treasure it houses. There the
critical artifacts which the history of deafness, deaf education,
and deaf culture are preserved and displayed. After a
rich discussion in Ms. Kimberly Rogers’ eighth grade class
regarding deaf history, Ms. Rogers realized that the students
needed to see authentic artifacts in order to be more deeply
impacted by their place as a deaf person in today’s world.
Mr. Larry Newman was a knowledgeable tour guide who
introduced the students to many important historical facts
about the Maryland School for the Deaf. They were really
proud to be Mr. Newman’s first visitors. Ms. Rogers’ class left
the building feeling honored to be on such historical ground
that has been a haven for many deaf people in the past.
—Kimberly L. Rogers, English Teacher,
FC, kimberly.rogers@msd.edu
guard from the Sons of the American
Revolution whose State President was
also in attendance.
In addition to the DAR State Regent,
speakers included the Maryland
Secretary of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, Edward Chow, who presented
a proclamation from the Governor;
Alderman Michael O’Conner who
presented a proclamation on behalf of
the City of Frederick; and Carl Robin,
Curator of the Hessian Barracks.
Around MSD
The occasion also was used to mark the
fundraising campaign kick-off sponsored
jointly by the Maryland School for the
Deaf Foundation and the Friends of the
Hessian Barracks. This initiated a severalyear
campaign to raise money sufficient to
develop the interior interpretative areas of
the Barracks once the exterior renovation
has been completed. Nearly $1,000.00 was
raised from the single event.
The morning’s ceremonies
concluded with tours of the barracks
after which all members enjoyed
luncheon at a local restaurant.
—Stanley C. Baker, Deputy
Superintendent, chad.baker@msd.edu
Color Guard, provided by the Sons of the American Revolution,
form in front of the Frederick-Town Barracks.
(L-R) Carey Ballard, Brett Sonnenstrahl, Mr. Larry Newman, Emily
DeSimone, Marika Lewis, Jaqueline Boese, Lyric Eakins
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