The National Deaf Life Museum's first exhibition, Olof Hanson, Conspicuous Leader (1862-1933), opened on October 22, 2009 and closed on October 1, 2011. The exhibit was in the Weyerhaeuser Family Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall, on the lower level adjacent to the Marketplace in the I. King Jordan Student Academic Center. The exhibit focused on the life of the deaf architect, advocate, and clergyman Olof Hanson. "The purpose of this exhibit is to share the depth and richness of the history of deaf people and their influence on the world," said Dr. Jane Norman, '68, director and curator of the Gallaudet University Museum. The opening of the exhibit attracted a large audience of students, staff, faculty, and visitors, all welcomed by Provost Stephen Weiner. "Great universities have great museums," said Dr. Weiner, holding up a full page notice on the importance of museums at institutions of higher learning from a recent issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. He added, "This is your museum. It belongs to the people of Gallaudet." The exhibition curator, Tabitha Jacques, '06, said the exhibit "explores the context of what life was like for some deaf people during Hanson's time." (Source: Gallaudet Today, Winter 2010 issue.)
Photo of Olof Hanson Exhibition Opening Day. From Left to Right: Jean Bergey, Scott Carollo, Curator Tabitha Jacques, Honorary Co-Chairs Jack and Rosalyn Gannon, Drew Robarge, Director Jane Norman
Olof Hanson, Conspicuous Leader 1862-1933
The Weyerhaeuser Family Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall
I. King Jordan Student Academic Center
Gallaudet University
2009-2010