WELCOME

TO THE HISTORY OF

IOWA BRAILLE AND SIGHT SAVING SCHOOL

ibsssalumni.org

These pages are dedicated to presenting the history of Iowa’s second oldest educational institution, only 5 years younger than the University of Iowa.  The school has provided educational services to the blind of this state since September 1852.

1852 - 2012

Main Building at Vinton  1862 - 1868

Samuel Bacon

 Founder

Illinois School for the Blind - 1849,

Iowa School for the Blind - 1852,

Nebraska School for the Blind - 1875.

TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF THE IOWA BRAILLE SCHOOL

CONTACT Justin Ruegg at 319-472-5221 or e-mail at  jruegg@iowa-braille.k12.ia.us

Historical Information Check out the book “Gleanings From Our Past”

Help Protect Iowa Braille’s future, send your comments to the links below

Iowa Board of Regents -  http://www.regents.iowa.gov/

Iowa Legislative Link  - http://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/find.aspx

Terry Branstad -  http://www.governor.iowa.gov/

     You can also send your comments to us to post on our web pages. Education of the blind and visually impaired is an important issue.

REUNION INFORMATION

REUNION 2012 NOW JULY 27, 28, and 29.  PLAN TO ATTEND

Please note the new dates are now Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no Thursday arrivals for you people traveling long distances as was requested for in the past.

Celebrate the schools 160th year serving the blind of Iowa and its 150th year in Vinton

Something extra going on this weekend is the Benton County Fair

GATHERING OUR HISTORY

   We are currently gathering historical data and items related to the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. We have seen many historical items sold on ebay that go into private collectors hands were it is hidden from public display or hidden away. It is our hope to gather as much as possible to preserve for future historical data and make available for display to all interested individuals. If you have any items, including paperwork, photos, books, or other memorabilia and would like to see it preserved for others to enjoy please contact us. We understand that some photos hold personal value and would only request a chance to make copies to share.

   One project that has been suggested is a time line display of the campus grounds. along with this display we would hope to have those items used on campus relating to that time period. All donors will be recognized and items identified.

   If you have items you would like to share with others please contact us at P. O. Box 188, Vinton, Iowa 52349. If you wish to keep your original prints or papers please consider making copies of these items for us or allowing us to do so..

   If you have stories that you would like to share please send them to us at the above address or by e-mail to the rspangler@ibsssalumni.org If we get enough stories we will begin posting them on this web site.

If you are a genealogist we need your help!  We have pictures of several graduating classes but do not know who the pictures go with.  Also we are interested in finding what may have become of many of our graduates.  If you can help us we are willing to help you as much as possible.  Any suggestions please contact one of our officers.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Funds raised through the sale of the following items will be used to continue the historical preservation project

UPDATED PAGES!! CHECK OUT OUR HISTORY PAGES.

February 9, 2012

web master - rspangler@ibsssalumni.org

Copyright - TBM Design 2005 - 2011