It was deaf-education pioneer Lars M.
Larson who first planted the school's historic roots in 1885. Using
their own funds, Lars and his wife Belle began teaching deaf students in
a small adobe house in Santa Fe on November 10, 1885. The deaf couple
dreamed of establishing a permanent place where deaf and hard of hearing
children could receive a quality education. In the 133 years since,
NMSD has been making a difference in the lives of deaf children and their families.
To honor Lars and Belle and Founder’s Day this week, students and staff
researched Norway, where Lars’s parents emigrated from, and
participated in many fun activities such as playing a Norwegian game
called KUBB, baked Fyrstekake (Norwegian Cardamom-Almond Tarts),
creating a banner dedicated to Lars and Belle using historic photos of
them and the first class at NMSD, visited the NMSD Museum to view many
artifacts from the time when Lars was superintendent and were treated to
an authentic Norwegian meal during lunchtime that included a sample of
lefse (flatbread) and Jarlsberg cheese, kjottkaker (meatballs). Kumla
(potato dumplings, gronnertestuing (creamed peas), rye bread and
kanelboller (cinnamon thumb cookies). We are all so grateful to Lars and
Belle for opening NMSD.
To view historical photos of NMSD visit our Facebook page here.