Robert Panara Commemorative Stamp collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: RITDSA-0170

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Robert Panara Commemorative Stamp collection contains primarily printed memorabilia from a 2007 First Day of Issue ceremony for the Robert Panara Commemorative Stamp. This stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service as part of the "Distinguished Americans" series. The collection is a complete assemblage of the Stamp Ceremony Memento package, including stamp sheet, program, envelopes, and framed stamps.

Dates

Creation: 11 April 2017

Creator

United States Postal Service (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

The first Deaf faculty member at NTID, and a key figure in its history, Robert Panara was hired in 1967 to assist in establishing NTID on RIT's campus. He was instrumental in planning NTID's curriculum and preparing RIT's staff with ASL classes. He taught English at NTID and founded the Drama Club in 1970, which has grown into a full performing arts program with numerous productions yearly in the theater at NTID named in his honor. It was at the celebration of NTID's 20th anniversary in 1988 that the Robert F. Panara Theatre was dedicated. Panara is recognized as one of the founders of the National Theatre of the Deaf. He was the only deaf member of the National Advisory Board, and the first NTID faculty member. He was also awarded the RIT Founders Award for his lifetime of achievement and devoted service to RIT. Panara retired from NTID in 1987. Robert Panara died in 2014 at the age of 94.

Extent

1 Box(es) (Lid box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Complete assemblage of the commemorative stamp package to honor Robert Panara. Panara was a teacher in the field of Deaf Studies and taught at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf from 1967 until 1987. The collection contains programs, envelopes, a stamp sheet, and a framed stamp presentation.