Property Record
309 W WALWORTH AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | PHOENIX HALL, WISC. SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
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| Other Name: | PHOENIX HALL, WISC. SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 10087 |
| Location (Address): | 309 W WALWORTH AVE |
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| County: | Walworth |
| City: | Delavan |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1880 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1977 |
| Historic Use: | dormitory |
| Architectural Style: | Other Vernacular |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 0 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Phoenix Hall--Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 3/19/1987 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. NAMED AFTER FRANKLIN K. PHOENIX WHO DONATED THE LAND FOR THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. BUILDING ORIGINALLY SERVED AS A BOYS DORMITORY. THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1852 TO BE LOCATED IN DELAVAN. THE FIRST PUPILS ATTENDED IN FALL 1852. THE SCHOOL WAS FIRST HOUSED IN RENTED BUILDINGS WERE COMPLETED IN 1857, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1879 AND REBUILT IN 1880. THE ONLY 1880 BUILDING THAT REMAINS IS PHOENIX HALL, THE BOYS DORMITORY. INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN ORALLY TO MOST STUDENTS, WITH FINGER SPELLING FOR THOSE WHO NEED. THE AGE LIMITS RANGE FROM 8-25 AND THE PRESCRIBED COURSE IS 12 YEARS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF GUILLADET COLLEGE (FOR DEAF). INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION INCLUDED CARPENTRY, SHOE MAKING AND CORPING FOR THE BOYS UNTIL 1878 WHEN BASKET MAKING WAS INTRODUCED. GIRLS WERE TAUGHT SEWING, HOME ARTS, RUG WEAVING, CHAIR MAKING AND BRUSH MAKING. |
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| Bibliographic References: | DELAVAN ENTERPRISE 11/8/1995. BERNETT ODEGARD AND GEAORGE KEITH, A SHORT HISTORY OF THE STATE BOARD OF CONTROL. "BIENNIAL REPORT" 6/1912. 1975-1977 BIENNIAL REPORT, STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, 1977, P. 10. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |