This weekend, the Island remembered a time when many of its residents were bilingual -- when Vineyarders spoke both English and sign language and for over 250 years the deaf were accepted, not stigmatized by society.

It is a remarkable part of Island history, yet it seldom is the cause for celebration as it is a history that has been largely forgotten in recent years.

Until last Friday. On Friday, Vineyard residents and visitors were reintroduced to the Island’s signing history at the very first Sign Language Heritage Event, held at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

[Correspondence of the Gazette.]

CHILMARK, Aug. 1th, 1860.

Richard Meier and Justin Power, linguistics professors at the University of Texas, have published a new paper entitled The Historical Demography of the Martha’s Vineyard Signing Community, inspired by the seminal work of anthropologist Nora Ellen Groce.

Four researchers and educators traveled to the Vineyard to take part in the event on Nov. 8, organized by MV Signs: Then and Now, a project founded in 2016 by Islander Lynn Thorp to teach and revive ASL.

To accommodate all the students who want to take American Sign Language, the regional high school will increase the teaching position from half to full time next year.

A new novel for young readers, Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte, brings to life an often-overlooked era of Martha’s Vineyard history, when deaf and hearing Islanders shared a common sign language.

David Martin, former educator and administrator at Gallaudet, visited Vineyard Haven on Sunday to talk about the legacy of the Martha’s Vineyard deaf community of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The new play Chilmark will be a different experience for the audience, where parts of the play are communicated only in sign language.

Lynn Thorp is the energy behind MV Signs: Then and Now, an endeavor to revive Martha’s Vineyard sign language used from the 17th to 19th century.