Brooklyn’s Deaf & DeafBlind Museum & Research Center

Brooklyn’s Deaf & DeafBlind Museum & Research Center is the first museum of its kind in Brooklyn and the only research center dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, culture, and lived experiences of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Deaf Disabled communities with a special focus on New York City. The museum serves as both a cultural archive and a living space for education, storytelling, and community connection.

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Since 1960, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn has served Deaf, DeafBlind, and Deaf Disabled students from the five boroughs of NYC. Our Deaf & DeafBlind Museum, established in celebration of our 65th anniversary, is a special place where the history of St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf comes alive. It’s more than just a collection of artifacts; it’s the vibrant keeper of our community’s story.

As you explore our museum, you’ll discover a legacy that expands far beyond Brooklyn. We proudly chronicle the rich history, culture, and contributions of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Deaf Disabled people.

Our museum is a living space, filled with inspiring artwork from talented Deaf and DeafBlind artists and the cherished memories shared by alumni in interviews. For those wishing to dive deeper into this history, our research center has valuable resources.

We hope you take the time to visit us soon!

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A group of guests and New York State Assembly members gathered together at the opening of the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center.Dr. Jodi Falk holding oversized gold scissors at the ribbon cutting for the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center, standing with guests including New York State Assembly members.A screen in the museum showing a historical black and white photograph of students at the school.Framed artwork and documents displayed on the museum wall, including a brightly coloured painted portrait.Two visitors reading the framed exhibits in the museum beside a wall of coloured stained glass.Visitors walking through the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center, a wood panelled gallery lined with glass display cases and framed exhibits.Interior of the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum, a wood panelled room with glass display cases along the walls and a polished wooden floor.Museum gallery lined with tall display cases holding historical objects and photographs from the school's history.Museum display cabinets holding artefacts, with framed documents and photographs mounted on the wall behind them.Museum exhibit area with a glass case of objects in the foreground and interpretive panels mounted along the wall.Long museum and research room with tables and chairs set out for visitors, display cases along both walls.Museum wall display of documents and artwork with a row of chairs set out in front for visitors.Museum gallery with glass display cases and a wall of coloured stained glass panels.Museum exhibit with a glass case of objects in the foreground and a religious statue and artwork on display behind it.Museum display cases and framed exhibits documenting the history of the school and the Deaf community.Round table in the museum holding historical communication equipment, including a teletypewriter, beside a Deaf and Blind History display sign.Museum wall of coloured stained glass panels above a row of framed documents and display stands.Exhibit inside the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center.Corridor leading to the museum, with a yellow Deaf and DeafBlind sign above the doorway and framed photographs along the wall.A group of guests and New York State Assembly members gathered together at the opening of the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center.Dr. Jodi Falk holding oversized gold scissors at the ribbon cutting for the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center, standing with guests including New York State Assembly members.A screen in the museum showing a historical black and white photograph of students at the school.Framed artwork and documents displayed on the museum wall, including a brightly coloured painted portrait.Two visitors reading the framed exhibits in the museum beside a wall of coloured stained glass.Visitors walking through the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center, a wood panelled gallery lined with glass display cases and framed exhibits.Interior of the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum, a wood panelled room with glass display cases along the walls and a polished wooden floor.Museum gallery lined with tall display cases holding historical objects and photographs from the school's history.Museum display cabinets holding artefacts, with framed documents and photographs mounted on the wall behind them.Museum exhibit area with a glass case of objects in the foreground and interpretive panels mounted along the wall.Long museum and research room with tables and chairs set out for visitors, display cases along both walls.Museum wall display of documents and artwork with a row of chairs set out in front for visitors.Museum gallery with glass display cases and a wall of coloured stained glass panels.Museum exhibit with a glass case of objects in the foreground and a religious statue and artwork on display behind it.Museum display cases and framed exhibits documenting the history of the school and the Deaf community.Round table in the museum holding historical communication equipment, including a teletypewriter, beside a Deaf and Blind History display sign.Museum wall of coloured stained glass panels above a row of framed documents and display stands.Exhibit inside the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center.Corridor leading to the museum, with a yellow Deaf and DeafBlind sign above the doorway and framed photographs along the wall.
Visitors walking through the Deaf and DeafBlind Museum and Research Center, a wood panelled gallery lined with glass display cases and framed exhibits.

Images from our ribbon cutting ceremony, September 2025

Assembly members and Jodi Falk
Assembly members and Jodi Falk
A screen in the museum showing a historical black and white photograph of students at the school.
Framed artwork and documents displayed on the museum wall, including a brightly coloured painted portrait.
Two visitors reading the framed exhibits in the museum beside a wall of coloured stained glass.

To schedule a visit, please contact the Supervisor of Operations & Instruction at SIO@sfdesales.org

Schedule a Visit
sfdesales.org