Academics

MSS 59 – Buzzard, Henry, 1923-

Papers of Henry L. Buzzard, 1880-1987

Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives

Call No.: MSS 59

Creator: Henry L. Buzzard

Title: Papers of Henry L. Buzzard, 1880-1987

Quantity: 1.5 Linear Feet (3 document boxes)

Abstract: This collection is the personal collection of Henry L. Buzzard, a prominent figure in the Deaf religious community.

Note: This document last updated 2005 November 23.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Henry Lewis Buzzard donated his collection to the Gallaudet University Archives on December 14, 1987.

Processed by: Ulf Hedberg. 1989 March 20.

Processing Note:

Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives: For a complete listing check ALADIN

Films

  • [Library Building] [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 144-4

Manuscripts

  • Papers, Henry L. Buzzard, 1880-1987. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: MSS 59

Photographs

  • Henry L. Buzzard [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

SMSS

  • Winifred Hallock Nies Northcott, 1982. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS
  • Norman Tsu, 1973. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS
  • Henry L. Buzzard, 1965-1975. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS
  • James Nestor Orman, 1922-1976. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

Vertical Files

  • Henry L. Buzzard. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Biographical Sketch

Henry L. Buzzard was born in Normal, Illinois on June 7, 1923. He became deaf at a early age. In 1926, he enrolled at Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his education there in 1938. He attended a high school in his hometown and graduated in 1942. He attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana for one year. In 1943, he also attended Eastern Illinois State College in Charlestown and received a diploma. Buzzard entered the Wabash College again and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1946. Buzzard attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and received a Master of Arts degree in Geography in 1949. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana and received a Master’s in Library Science in 1951.

Buzzard worked as a cartographic aid for the United States Air Force in the Washington, DC area. He was employed as an assistant librarian and cataloguer at Gallaudet College from 1952-1956. He was also a library instructor. He married Juliet Barnett in 1956 and resigned to work as a library cataloguer for the United States Army map service for ten years, until 1966. Buzzard and his family moved to New York City in 1966 where he worked as a school librarian at the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, New York. He retired in 1979; however, he continued to volunteer as an archivist and historian for the school.

Buzzard was a lay reader for St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf in New York City and also served as a deacon. He was ordained to the Deaconate on September 26, 1996 and was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church on June 28, 1997. He continues to be active as a priest at St. Ann’s church for the Deaf.

Scope and Content

The Henry Lewis Buzzard collection consists of approximately 1200 items dating from 1880-1987. The majority of papers date from the 1970s-1980s. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, arranged chronologically, and records of various organizations including the Metropolitan Chapter of Gallaudet College Alumni Association.

In the folder related to the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, one can find programs, reports, news-clippings, bylaws from the parent section of the CAID and brochures. There are photocopies of a letter from Isaac Lewis Peet, 1880 and Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, 1881. .

The folder titled “International Games for the Deaf” has programs, letters, schedules, receipts and a list of names of Miss Deaf Pennsylvania. The collection contains records of the Oral Deaf Adult Section of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf which includes correspondence, personal narratives on the ODAS meetings, by-laws, and news clippings.

This collection forms part of the original collection donated to the Gallaudet University Archives by Henry Buzzard.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No Series

Box Folder Title of Folder Date
1 1 American Professional Society of the Deaf 1974
1 2 Autobiography “I am Deaf” n.d.
1 3 Certificates 1963-1976
1 4 Central Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association 1946
1 5 Clippings/Newsletters 1901-1978
1 6 Correspondence – Silverman, S Richard 1947-1949
1 7 Correspondence – Simmons, Robert 1963-1973
1 8 Correspondence – Tsu, Norman CK 1971-1974
1 9 General Correspondence 1937-1949
1 10 General Correspondence 1950-1959
1 11 General Correspondence 1960-1968
1 12 General Correspondence 1970-1979
1 13 General Correspondence 1980-1986
1 14 Memorabilia 1946-1967
1 15 National Association of the Deaf 1979
1 16 Centennial Historical Calendar Committee n.d.
2 1 Central Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association 1947-1957
2 2 Church Mission to Deaf People 1985-1986
2 3 Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf 1971
2 4 Correspondence 1880-1983
2 5 Empire State Association of the Deaf 1977
2 6 Episcopal Conference of the Deaf 1986
2 7 International Games for the Deaf 1965
2 8 Louisiana Acadian Deaf-Blind 1984-1987
3 1 Metropolitan Chapter of Gallaudet College Alumni Association 1961-1982
3 2 Miscellaneous 1970-1987
3 3 Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Pageant 1981
3 4 North Carolina Association of the Deaf 1980
3 5 Oral Deaf Adult Section 1965-1973
3 6 St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf 1982-1983
3 7 Standing Committee; Re: Homes for the Deaf 1959-1961

Contact Us

Archives

King Jordan Student Academic Center 1255

(202) 250-2604

Monday
12-4
Tuesday
9-4
Wednesday
12-4
Thursday
9-4
Friday
12-4
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Select what best describes your relationship to Gallaudet University so we can effectively route your email.
By submitting this form, I opt in to receive select information and deaf resources from Gallaudet University via email.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.