Gallaudet College - View this location on map Founded in 1864 as the National Deaf Mute College, this has been since its inception the only institution of higher learning in America devoted specifically to the education of the deaf; in 1894, the name was changed to Gallaudet in honor of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851), founder of the country's first permanent school for the deaf (1817). The college's campus was planned by the firm of Olmsted, Vaux, & Co., who felt that since the students lacked the ability to hear extra care should be taken so that 'the senses of sight and smell are gratified in a most complete and innocent way.' Florida Avenue and 7th Street, NE, Washington, District of Columbia Historical

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