Just another Cog in Hartford’s Rich History
Alice Cogswell & American School for the Deaf Founders Memorial, Hartford
I never noticed a Cogswell Street in Hartford before. But I will from now on, after my visit to the American School for the Deaf Museum in West Hartford where I learned all about young Alice Cogswell and how her deafness inspired what went on to become the first school for the deaf in America. The school itself is the oldest school in America dedicated to the deaf and mute (and other issues) community.
Cogswell Street is right here, heading north from this awful intersection where Asylum and Farmington split.
Thousands of people pass this memorial statue every day, trying to avoid an accident, and have no idea why there’s a nine foot tall girl there. “There” is the site of the original “Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons.” Which, ding ding ding! which is why Asylum Street is Asylum Street.
The school later renamed and as noted above, moved to West Hartford where it is still open today.
The statue honors the founders, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, Mason Fitch Cogswell, and Laurent Clerc, the inscription reads: “Dedicated by the New England Gallaudet Association of the Deaf to express the gratitude of the deaf of the nation.”
Here is my original picture, just to say I was there.
The depicted girl is Alice Cogswell, daughter of Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell, and the school’s first pupil. The statue operates on different levels of symbolic interpretation. The hands protect the child as the institution protects the handicapped. Forming the word “light” in the deaf sign language, the hands thereby project the optimism of Gallaudet’s contribution. Both hope and knowledge are implied not only for the students of the school, but for all deaf.
Gallaudet was a Yale graduate and had become deeply interested in the deaf through observing Alice Cogswell as she played with her young relatives. He had made some progress in teaching her written words, but went on to study deaf teaching/signing techniques in England and France. He was THE pioneer for deaf education in America.
Pictures and explanation from Public Art Connecticut.
CTMQ’s Statuary, Memorials, Monuments, & Plaques
GR says
August 19, 2018 at 12:18 pmWell, now we know. And we thank you for the info.