Chelmsford in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

First School for Lip-Reading

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, June 3, 2010

1. First School for Lip-Reading Marker

Inscription. Harriet B. Rogers, assisted by Mary S. Byam, opened here in 1866 the Chelmsford School, the first in America to successfully teach lip-reading and speech to deaf children. In 1867 it was moved to Northampton as the Clarke School for the Deaf.

Erected 1952 by the Clarke School Alumni Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 42° 35.897′ N, 71° 21.181′ W. Marker is in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is on Academy Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Academy Street, Chelmsford MA 01824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oldest Toll House (a few steps from this marker); Revolutionary War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); District No. 1 School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chelmsford (about 600 feet away); Chelmsford’s “Minuteman Boulder” (about 600 feet away); Soldiers and Sailors Monument (approx. 2.8 miles away); Chief of the Penacooks (approx. 2.8 miles away); a different marker also named Chelmsford (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chelmsford.

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Clarke Schools. Since 1867 the Clarke School (now the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech) has taught deaf children at its campus in Northampton, MA, about 70 miles west of Chelmsford.) (Submitted on May 13, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)

Deacon Otis Adams House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, May 13, 2011

2. Deacon Otis Adams House

Harriet Rogers’ first classes for deaf children were held in an upper-level front room of this historic house, which is directly across Academy Street from the marker (in the shadows, right foreground).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,009 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.