What 19th-century safety nets existed for the children of indigent, immigrant, illiterate men like Annie Sullivan’s father? How did Sullivan get her education? How did notions of dignity, independence, and disability influence those opportunities? Tracing Anne’s journey to the Perkins School for the Blind, then following how her work with Helen Keller, reveals how — between 1870 and 1920 — Americans dramatically changed their definition of the public good and the obligations and responsibilities of citizens to the community at large. Aspects of these definitions, from each period, persist to the present.
Presented by Laurie Block, Director, Disability History Museum, Project Director, Becoming Helen Keller
The audience is invited to bring a lunch to enjoy during the program.
Free coffee available. Cookies provided courtesy of Big Y.
Museums a la Carte is sponsored by Health New England
Photo courtesy American Foundation for the Blind.
