Tennessee School for the Deaf, school in Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee School for the Deaf is a school in Knoxville serving students with hearing loss since 1845, functioning as an educational center for the region. The campus includes classrooms, dormitories for students from across Tennessee, athletic facilities, and open spaces, with instruction structured through sign language and visual teaching methods.
Founded in 1845 as the Tennessee Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, the school began with six students under teacher Thomas MacIntire, who arrived from a respected deaf school in Ohio. Over time it relocated and expanded into a multi-campus system, weathering periods like the Civil War when classes temporarily ceased.
The school serves as a gathering place for the deaf community in Knoxville, where students and families connect and share their culture through performances and celebrations held on campus. Sign language flows naturally through hallways and classrooms, making communication accessible and meaningful for everyone who learns and works here.
Located in the Island Home Park neighborhood of Knoxville, the school is accessible with open grounds that invite exploration. Visitors should contact ahead to arrange tours and learn the best times to visit, especially when students are present on campus.
The school's original home was a historic building that once served as Knoxville City Hall, adding an extra layer of historical significance to the site. The school also houses regional students in separate residences for boys and girls who stay during the week and return home on weekends.
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