We're happy to help K-12 and their teachers learn more about Perkins and the history of blindness and deafblindness. Many people start by wanting to learn more about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, but our archives hold many other stories. The following guide is meant to provide you with some helpful resources and tips.

Perkins was founded in 1829 as the first school for the blind in the United States. Since then, we have led the way in blindness and deafblindness education; developed widely used tools, techniques, and devices; and supported students, families, and teachers in learning. 

Some of our most popular resources and a great place to start.

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

Guide to collections

The Perkins Archives include a number of resources related to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan including biographies, a number of correspondence collections, photographs, blog posts, and more.

Laura Bridgman

Article and resources

Laura Dewey Bridgman was the first student with deafblindness to be formally educated. She and Perkins' founding Director Samuel Gridley Howe became world famous for this achievement. Perkins Archives has photographs, teacher journals, and correspondence collections related to Laura Bridgman's education and life.

Perkins magazines and newsletters

Guide and links

Annual Reports and other publications document how Perkins, and other schools for the blind, grew and changed over the years. Some of these include student work and accounts of student life.

 

Historic curriculum

Through the years Perkins’ historical curriculum and programming have evolved to meet new challenges and goals while continually striving for excellence in education. Learn about the history of education for students with blindness and deafblindness and related innovations that extend well beyond the school.

Life and learning at Perkins

Learn more about the people, places, and events that have shaped Perkins since 1829 from the Perkins Archives team.

We always enjoy the questions we get from students participating in National History Day. We’re glad to suggest topics in our collection that relate to this year’s theme.

  • Need to do an interview? The Research Librarian is available for interviews by email or video call. 
  • Want to use images from our collections? The Perkins Archives has a process to request permission for student projects.