Celebrate Jacobs Hall Museum’s 160th birthday Dec. 8 and 9
Published 1:52 am Saturday, December 2, 2017
BY JOANN HAMM
Kentucky School for the Deaf
On Nov. 11, 1857, Superintendent John Adamson Jacobs, his family and the female students, moved into the new Kentucky School for the Deaf Main building. Now, 160 years later, the Main Building, Jacobs Hall, is an elegant, enduring reminder of the history of the fourth oldest school for the deaf in the United States.
Find this lovely miss on one of the fifteen trees in Jacobs Hall.
This year, Jacobs Hall Museum and the Kentucky School for the Deaf Charitable Foundation are co-sponsoring their ninth annual Christmas weekend at Jacobs Hall Museum on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9. It will feature music, food, a Signing Santa, model trains and much more.
Special holiday model trains displayed by Joe Buschman and Archie Harris are a Jacobs Hall tradition. Tillie Sowders, member of the Danville Gathering Artists, will have hand-painted ornaments for sale both days. The Museum gift shop will also be open both days. All proceeds go to benefit the Museum and the KSD students.
Candlelight gleams through the windows as Jacobs Hall volunteers prepare for the Candlelight Tour.
Friday’s Candlelight Tours: Christmas Candlelight Tours run from 3 to 8 p.m. The Danville String Ensemble, featuring three hammered dulcimers, an autoharp and other instruments, will perform on the first floor beginning at 6 p.m. Visitors will find a special Jacobs Hall birthday cake, sweet and savory appetizers and beverages on the second floor. The last tour will begin at 7:15 p.m.
Jacobs Hall Museum will also collaborate with McDowell House Museum, open 5:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors may purchase a reduced price ticket for both museums at either McDowell House or Jacobs Hall. For Friday’s admission, a ticket for one museum is $6 and a combined ticket (for both museums) is $8. Admission for children under 6 is $3 at each museum.
Third floor dorm tree: Find this large tree on the third floor.
Saturday’s Tours: The museum will be open for visitors from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. A light buffet lunch, complete with a piece of Jacobs Hall birthday cake, will be available in the second floor reception room. Visitors, young and old, can talk to our unique Signing Santa and take home a photo with Santa. Saturday’s admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children 6 and under. Children 3 and under are free.
To complete the weekend festivities, Jacobs Hall Museum will host the Annual Meeting of the Boyle Landmark Trust on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. The meeting, which includes the presentation of awards, will be held in the first floor parlors. Refreshments and tours follow the formal meeting. Sponsors are Barbara Hulette, Carol Seidel, Jeanette Stone, and the Hub Coffee House and Café.
IF YOU GO
Jacobs Hall Museum is located at 303 South Second St. in Danville on the campus of Kentucky School for the Deaf. Purchase tickets at the door. No reservations required. If you have questions, email JoAnn Hamm at joann.hamm@ksd.kyschools.us, or Rhonda Bodner at rhonda.bodner@ksd.kyschools.us.
