Exhibit on Education of the Blind and Deaf
New exhibit at Aycock Birthplace highlights former governor's forgotten role in setting up schools for the blind and deaf.
FREMONT—When Charles B. Aycock became governor in 1901, there were only three schools in the entire state specializing in educating blind and deaf children. One in Raleigh and another in Morganton served white students, while a third Raleigh school was the only option for blind or deaf African American children in North Carolina. During the gubernatorial campaign Aycock asserted that schools would be his administration’s #1 priority, so soon after taking office he pushed the N.C. General Assembly to boost education funding, including money to schools for the deaf and blind.
A new free exhibit at Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site in Fremont documents the governor’s role in improving educational opportunities for this special population, along with the evolution of its separate educational system.
“Deaf and Blind Education in North Carolina” features vintage photos, a timeline and a large Braille map of North Carolina’s counties. It includes a device called a “Perkins Brailler,” which enabled one to write in Braille; this was crafted at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass., where Helen Keller was educated. In addition, children can learn how to write their names in Braille at a special interactive section of the public exhibit.
The new exhibit goes on to trace the evolution of public education for the blind and deaf including various location moves and the renaming of the Raleigh school for whites as The Governor Morehead School in 1964. Finally, it documents the merging of the black and white schools, which took place between 1967 and 1977.
This exhibit was created through a joint effort of East Carolina University’s public history program and the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites. The Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the N.C. School for the Deaf and the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf assisted. It was constructed from 90% recycled materials. For more information on this exhibit, call (919) 242-5581or e-mail aycock@ncdcr.gov. It will be on display at the State Capitol in Raleigh beginning in January 2010.
Though Aycock Birthplace experienced a fire on Jan. 24, 2008, that seriously damaged the main house, the state historic site has reopened to the public and continues to present public programs. Currently, the main house is closed while being repaired, but the period one-room schoolhouse and the historic area, including the kitchen, corn crib and smokehouses, are all open. Visitors may also tour exhibits in the visitor center and watch a video about the late governor and his family.
Anyone wanting to aid in the home’s restoration may do so by contributing to the Aycock Birthplace Recovery and Restoration Fund. Contributions may be sent to Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace, P.O. Box 207, Fremont, N.C. 27830.
Aycock Birthplace’s mission is to preserve and interpret the birthplace and history of Charles B. Aycock, emphasizing his contributions to public education in North Carolina; he is known statewide as “The Education Governor.”
To reach the site, take U.S. 117 north nine miles from Goldsboro or U.S. 117 south 14 miles from Wilson. Turn right (from Goldsboro) or left (from Wilson) on Gov. Aycock Road. The site is 1-1/2 miles on the right. From I-95 take the U.S. 301 exit at Kenly. Take N.C. 222 east for 10 miles to Fremont and turn right on U.S. 117. Go two miles and turn left on Gov. Aycock Road.
Administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, Aycock Birthplace is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. Join the Cultural Resources 2009 theme observance of “Treasure N.C. Culture.” For more information, visit www.ncculture.com.
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Photo cutlines:
A hand-colored postcard of the former N.C. Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind in Raleigh, circa 1910 (Photo courtesy of UNC-Chapel Hill)
An elementary school class at the now-closed African American Institution for the Deaf and Blind in Raleigh, circa early 1950’s (Photo courtesy of the Gov.Morehead School)
Exhibit on Education of the Blind and...
Date and Time
Tuesday Jun 2, 2009 Monday Nov 30, 2009
Location
Charles B Aycock Birthplace
Contact Information
919-242-5581
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