Members are gathered in front of Mott Hall at the Minnesota Institute for Defectives (Deaf, Blind and Feeble-Minded). The 4th Convention of the Minnesota Association of the Deaf was held in Faribault during June 23-26, 1896. The man sitting in the front row, third from the left, is Olof Hanson. The man with white hair and a white mustache sitting in the center of the front row is Superintendent Jonathan L. Noyes. The man sitting to the left of Superintendent Noyes is Dr. James L. Smith. Sitting to the right of Superintendent Noyes are Anson Spear, Elizabeth Noyes, Charles Thompson, and Alice Noyes Smith (daughter of Superintendent Noyes and Elizabeth Noyes). The woman standing behind Elizabeth Noyes is Margaret Brooks, who met Charles Thompson at this convention and then became his wife.
Records of children admitted to the orphanage between May 1865 and November 1885. Entries are loosely chronological and include child's name and date of admission. Some entries include child's age and reason for admission. Separate entries give information on dismissal dates and reasons.