This institution is located at Delavan, Walworth county, on the Southwestern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, sixty miles from Milwaukee. The land first occupied, comprising 11 46-100 acres, was donated by Hon. F. K Phoenix, one of the first trustees, but the original boundaries have since been enlarged by the purchase of twenty-two acres. The main building was burned to the ground on the 16th of September. 1879, but during the year 1880 four new buildings were erected, and with the Increased facilities provided, 250 children may be well cared for.

The new buildings are a school house. boys' dormitory, dining room and chapel, with a main or administration building. These buildings are plain neat, substantial structures and well fitted for the uses intended.

The institution was originally a private school for the deaf, but was incorporated by act of the Legislature, April 19, 1852, and it is now maintained by the State of Wisconsin for the education of those children within her borders who, on account of deafness, are unable to receive instruction in the common schools. It has three departments:

First-The school, in which the pupils are taught writing, reading, composition, arithmetic, geography, history, natural science and drawing. Instruction in lip-reading and oral speech is given to the semi-mutes and capable congenital mutes.

Second-The shops, where the pupils are taught printing, cabinet making and shoe- making.

Third-The domestic department, in which they discharge various household duties, and learn baking and sewing.

The law provides that all deaf and dumb residents of this state, of proper age and suitable capacity to receive instruction, shall be received and taught free of charge. The regular course of instruction occupies about eight years. The latest and most popular text-books, globes, maps, charts, etc.,- so far as they are adapted to deaf mute instruction, are employed. Articulation and lip-reading are taught, by ladies of skill and experience with very gratifying results.

The day is divided into hours for labor, study, and recreation, with the design of securing habits of industry and of promoting health as well as intellectual and moral development. No leave of absence is granted during the term, except in cases of sickness or extreme necessity.

Deaf mutes of Wisconsin, of proper age, are admitted to the privileges of the Institution free of charge, being furnished tuition, books, board and washing. Friends are required to pay the traveling and incidental expenses, and to provide clothing, a sufficient supply of which should be furnished at the beginning of the school year, or sent by express as needed.

Candidates for admission should not be under eight nor more than twenty years of age, of sound moral principles and good physical health. Imbecile, idiotic or feeble-minded children are not received. The annual session begins the first Wednesday in September, and continues forty weeks.

The summer vacation extends from June to September. Pupils are sent home promptly at the close of the term, accompanied to prominent railroad points by messengers from the institution.

There has been paid from the state treasury, up to Oct. 1, 1900, for real estate, buildings, Improvements, repairs and current expenses of the school, in all, the sum of $1,619,708.78.

The whole number of pupils under instruction from the opening of the school in 1852 is 1,211, of whom 172 were in attendance September 30, 1900.

The average number of pupils the past year was l75, As against 195 the previous year, and the current expenses $37,836.42, as against $37,850.05.

The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Complied and published under the direction of Wm. H. Froehlich, Secretary of State. 1901. page 517- 518

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