Martha's Vineyard
The Journey

                                                           D-Live! 2 years project for Medway & UK

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The Martha Vineyard project aims to uncover and celebrate the rich history of the deaf community from Kent who migrated to America in the 17th century, forming a unique "deaf village" known as Martha’s Vineyard. This initiative seeks to explore the reasons behind this significant migration and its impact on deaf culture, ensuring that the stories of deaf individuals are included in the historical narrative. By sharing this knowledge with deaf children, young people, and adults in Kent, we hope to the resilience and contributions of deaf people throughout history, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage. Join us in this groundbreaking effort to illuminate the past and inspire future generations.

 

The school had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with two different workshop facilitators through art and English. Their hard work culminated in a published book, which premiered at the BUP! Festival in April 2025 at Chatham Historic Dockyard. This event allowed deaf children and their families in Medway to experience and celebrate their creations. In the second phase, we visited five UK schools with the published history book, giving other deaf children a chance to see and appreciate their work.

 

Steven Vevers-Webb

Artistic Director of D-Live! Theatre Company