MSS 61

Peikoff, David, 1900-1995.
Papers of David Peikoff, ca. 1940s-1960s.

 

 

Gallaudet University Archives.

 

 

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives
Call No.:
MSS 61
Creator:
Title: Papers of David Peikoff, ca. 1940s-1960s.
Quantity: 4.5 Linear Feet (9 document boxes)
Abstract:
Note:
This document last updated 2006 January 6.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: David Peikoff donated his papers to the Gallaudet University Archives periodically from 1982 to 1988.
Processed by: Ulf Hedberg and Michael Olson. 1988 November 2.
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:

The archives has numerous materials related to Peikoff. Please see ALADIN for a complete listing.


Films

·         Dedication of Hughes Memorial Gymnaisum (I) [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 402-4

·         Gallaudet College Statue Dedication [motion picture] Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 173-4

·         [David Peikoff, Elizabeth Peet and Earl Maczkowke [motion picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Film 161-4

 

Photographs

·         Pauline P. Peikoff [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

·         Deborah Lynn Meisegeier [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits.

·         Photograph album of John V. Wurdemann [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Photograph Album AL 52.

·         David Peikoff [picture]. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

 

Scrapbooks

·         Scrapbook of Clippings Collected by David Peikoff. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Scrapbook Album 17.

 

Small Manuscripts

·         Papers, Florence Lucinda Bridges Crammatte, 1971. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

·         Papers, Henry C. Trundle, 1971-1978. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

·         Papers, David Peikoff, 1965. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS

·         Papers, Leo Ralph Holway, 1956-1963. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: SMSS


Vertical Files

·         David Peikoff.  Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical.

 

Biographical Sketch

David Peikoff was born in Poltava, Russia in 1900; he was a fifth child of fifteen kids.  He lost his hearing in his pursuit for education.  He snuck away from his home when he was five to follow two older sisters to school.  He got lost in a blizzard, and then he became frozen and unconscious.  Found hours later, he developed a fever afterwards and lost his hearing.  A short while later, his family emigrated to Canada, Winnipeg to be exact.  He attended Manitoba School for the Deaf in Winnipeg until he was 17, then he quit school to go to a linotype school in Chicago.  After a series of jobs, he decided to attend Gallaudet College at the ripe age of 24, the oldest Preparatory student enrolled. 

            He was president of Gallaudet College Alumni Association when a Centennial Fund was proposed in 1960 before Gallaudet College’s 100th anniversary in 1964.  Upon approval of the motion, a tireless worker was needed to campaign for the drive.  They did not have to look hard to find one, as he was there, the President of GCAA, David Peikoff.  He resigned as a president of GCAA to focus on the drive.  He and his wife traveled thousands of miles for 6 years campaigning for pledges and cash donations.  He succeeded beyond everyone’s expectations as he raised $500,000.  On June 1967, the fund was officially given to Gallaudet College to build an Alumni House, financial assistance for deaf students of doctoral degrees, and promoting cultural activities for deaf people.  Peikoff received two honorary degrees from Gallaudet College.  In 1950, he got the Honorary Master’s degree.  Then he got another honorary degree, Doctorate in 1957. 

            In 1961, he moved to the United States and lived in Maryland.  During his residence, he worked at Gallaudet College until his retirement on June 30, 1970.  He suffered a stroke in 1971, but he still worked hard.  He co-wrote the Gallaudet Almanac with Jack Gannon and Hans Dieter-Baumert, published in 1974.  He died in his sleep on January 28, 1995.


Scope and Content

The David Peikoff Papers, consist of approximately 6000 items.  The majority of the papers are dated from mid 1940s to the mid 1960s and reflect Mr. Peikoff's interests and activities in fund-raising and various associations. The collection includes articles and clippings he wrote, and correspondence with the Canadian Association of the Deaf, Ontario Association of the Deaf, Irving S. Fusfeld, Percival Hall, Joseph N. Rosnick, Cadwallader Washburn and others.

There are also diaries and notes from the 1920s. Mr. Peikoff was very active in the deaf community and was involved in the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. The Western Canada Association of the Deaf, and the Ontario Association of the Deaf. There are reports on these conventions in his collection.

In 1970, David Peikoff retired as Director of Development at Gallaudet College. Included among his papers are the personal letters of appreciation from friends, faculty and staff.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series Descriptions and Folder Lists

No Series.

 

Box

Folder

Title of Folder

Date

1

1

Articles about David Peikoff

1948-1975

1

2

Articles written by David Peikoff 

1928-1964

1

3

Awards   

1969-1970

1

4

Biographies

1980

1

5

Brochures

n.d.

1

6

Canadian Association of the Deaf - Annual Reports

1960-1965

1

7

Canadian Association of the Deaf - Minutes

1963-1966

1

8

Canadian Deaf Scholarship Fund

1962

1

9

The Canadian Hearing Society - Annual Reports 

1966

1

10

Caricature of David Peikoff by Ruth Peterson 

1980

1

11

Correspondence - Canadian Affairs

1962-1967

1

12

Correspondence - Fusfeld, Irving S.   

1970

1

13

Correspondence - Gallaudet College

1929-1969

1

14

Correspondence - Gallaudet College Alumni Association

1944-1967

1

15

Correspondence - Miscellaneous 

1946-1975

1

16

Correspondence - National Fraternity Society of the Deaf 

1959-1965

1

17

Correspondence - re: Naturalization

1924-1930

1

18

Correspondence - Ontario Association of the Deaf - Part 1

1945-1958

1

19

Correspondence - Ontario Association of the Deaf - Part 2

1960-1978

1

20

Correspondence - Rosnick, Joseph N.

1961-1963

1

21

Correspondence - Washburn, Cadwallader

1945-1949

1

22

Correspondence - Washburn, Margaret

1969-1970

1

23

Correspondence - Wine, E.C.

1946

2

1

Clippings - photocopies

1936-1978

2

2

Diaries  

1927

2

3

Diaries & Notes

1970s

2

4

Diaries - Observations of Gallaudet College

1924-1926

2

5

Directory of Canada Gallaudetians

1960-1967

2

6

Gallaudet College Centennial Fund - Agreement

1961

2

7

Gallaudet College Centennial Fund - Proposal 

1962?

2

8

Magazines - "The Deaf" 

n.d.

2

9

Magazines - "The Ontario Association of the Deaf News" 

1942-1977

2

10

Magazines

1950-1974

2

11

Miscellaneous

1951-1969

3

1

Notebooks

n.d.

3

2

Notebooks

n.d.

3

3

Notes

n.d.

3

4

Ontario Association of the Deaf, Inc. - Meetings & Reports

1965-1966

3

5

Panel Discussion: Educational Problems - School

1960

3

6

Programs - Dramatics  

1928-1953

3

7

Progress Reports of David Peikoff's School Activities

1915-1916

3

8

A Report on Residential Schools for the Deaf in America

1957

3

9

Resolutions to David Peikoff

1967-1970

3

10

Speeches about David Peikoff 

1975-1977

3

11

Speeches by David Peikoff   

1937-1958

3

12

Speeches by David Peikoff   

1960-1969

3

13

Speeches by David Peikoff   

1970

3

14

Term Paper: "Canada's Contribution To America: The Dynamic David Peikoff" by Charles P. Snyder

1973

3

15

Washburn, Cadwallader - Articles about him 

1941-1969

4

1

Western Canada Association of the Deaf- Proceedings of the Convention

1923-1935

4

2

Western Canada Association of the Deaf- Proceedings of the Convention

1938-1954

4

3

Western Canada Association of the Deaf- Proceedings of the Convention

1957-1966

5

1

Address "The Other Side of the Coin" by Watson, Phyllis

1959

5

2

Articles & Speeches  

1939-1970

5

3

Clippings (photocopies) from his scrapbook

 

5

4

Clippings (photocopies) from his scrapbook

 

5

5

Correspondence & Reports by Robert J. Boese 

1964-1969

5

6

Correspondence - Canadian Association of the Deaf 

1951

5

7

Correspondence & Speeches by Dr. Eric S. Greenaway  

1957-1960

5

8

Correspondence - Controversy on President Percival Hall

1944

5

9

Magazines

1928-1978

5

10

Memorabilia     

n.d.

5

11

Ontario Association of the Deaf - Anniversaries

1960-1966

5

12

Ontario Association of the Deaf  - Conventions programs

1960-1970

6

1

Awards

1986

6

2

Biographies   

1967

6

3

Brochures   

1970

6

4

Clippings

1929-1985

6

5

Correspondence - General

1915-1987

6

6

Letters of Recognition 

1970

6

7

Miscellaneous 

1964-1986

6

8

Newsletters   

1954-1987

6

9

Reports  

1945-1982

6

10

Retirements     

1970

6

11

Speeches

1957-1970

7

1

Articles

1977-1986

7

2

Boosters for E.M.G. Statue Fund

1970

7

3

Brochures  

n.d.

7

4

Historical Books

1981

7

5

Letters    

1974-1984

7

6

Magazines

1978-1982

7

7

Newsletters

n.d.

7

8

Programs       

1982

7

9

Reports

1980-1987

7

10

Speeches                                                                                  

1982