South of Union Square logo
South of Union Square
Place
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Posts & Stories(1)

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes
Post

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes, June 12, 1937. This ornate Queen Anne style structure was completed in 1882 to the designs of architect Henry Fernbach. The educational facility occupied the entire blockfront on Lexington Avenue from 68th to 67th Streets. Instruction here was focused on a method of communication known as Oralism, which asked that deaf students reproduce sounds by imitating the position of the lips of hearing people. This was the mode of instruction that the school promoted through the 1960s. The institution was renamed the Lexington School for the Deaf by the mid century and moved to Jackson Heights in 1960s, where it remains today (teaching both oralism methods and American Sign Language). This imposing building was once only one of a row of civic and charitable institutions that lined Lexington Avenue between 66th to 69th Street that included Mount Sinai Hospital, the New York Foundling Asylum, and, the still standing, Seventh Regiment Armory. The deaf school was eventually demolished and replaced with another building for Hunter College.

Photos(6)

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Manhattan: Lexington Avenue - 67th Street (East) Lexington Ave., west side, north from East 67th to 68th Streets, showing the Institution for Deaf Mutes occupying this entire block front. This photograph taken after the "Great Blizzard" shows on the right, buildings at the N.W. corner of the avenue and 68th Street. These are units of the former Teachers (Normal) College and have been replaced by Thomas Hunter Hall (unit of Hunter College). March 14, 1888. Ewing Galloway.
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Manhattan: Lexington Avenue - 67th Street (East) (1) Lexington Ave., west side, north from East 67th to 69th Streets, showing the Institution for the Instruction of Deaf Mutes and Thomas Hunter Hall of Hunter College. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (2) A view solely of the Institution for Deaf Mutes, that occupies the block front from East 67th to 68th Streets. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (3) A detail, showing the N.W. corner of Lexington Ave. and East 67th Street. June 18, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Manhattan: Lexington Avenue - 67th Street (East) (1) Lexington Ave., west side, north from East 67th to 69th Streets, showing the Institution for the Instruction of Deaf Mutes and Thomas Hunter Hall of Hunter College. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (2) A view solely of the Institution for Deaf Mutes, that occupies the block front from East 67th to 68th Streets. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (3) A detail, showing the N.W. corner of Lexington Ave. and East 67th Street. June 18, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Manhattan: Lexington Avenue - 67th Street (East) (1) Lexington Ave., west side, north from East 67th to 69th Streets, showing the Institution for the Instruction of Deaf Mutes and Thomas Hunter Hall of Hunter College. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (2) A view solely of the Institution for Deaf Mutes, that occupies the block front from East 67th to 68th Streets. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr. (3) A detail, showing the N.W. corner of Lexington Ave. and East 67th Street. June 18, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Manhattan: Lexington Avenue - 66th Street (1) Lexington Ave., west side, south from East 68th to 66th Streets, showing the Institution for the Instruction of Deaf Mutes occupying the block front, from 68th to 67th Streets. South of same,and utilizing the 67th to 66th Street block is the Seventh Regiment Armory. October 11, 1927. P. L. Sperr. (2) The same. Appearing partially on the right is Thomas Hunter Hall, a unit of Hunter College. June 12, 1937. P. L. Sperr.
Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes image

Institution for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes

Privacy PolicyTerms of Service