Beverly School for the Deaf was founded in 1876 by William Benjamin Swett in Beverly, Massachusetts. Mr. Swett was a deaf man with a deaf daughter and saw a need for educational and vocational services for deaf children and young adults of the North Shore area of Boston. In 1879 with a small legacy and the help of his close friend, the Reverend Dr. Thomas Gallaudet, a 57acre parcel of land was purchased overlooking the tidal waters of the Bass River in Beverly. The vision of Mr. Swett was organized and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the "New England Industrial School for Deaf Mutes."Dr. Gallaudet served as president of the board for 22 years until his death in 1902.Beverly School for the Deaf serves students ages 3–22 who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and/or have cochlear implants by providing language that is visually accessible via American Sign Language, written English, speech, and AAC/ Assistive Technology.
