American Printing House for the Blind050

The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind is dedicated to preserving and sharing the educational history of blind people and the beneficial contributions made to the blind community by the American Printing House for the Blind, educators of the visually impaired, and the broader community.

APH has been producing books for the blind since 1866, and also produces Talking Books, large type books, text-to-braille computer translation programs, stereograph machines, molded plastic relief maps, globes, and Talking Magazines.

Exhibits at the museum include many hands-on learning opportunities. Guests can write their names using a mechanical braille writer, touch a model tactile globe, and explore raised letters and tactile alphabets that competed with braille.

Saturday Fun days are scheduled throughout the year, featuring themed activities and learning experiences. Check the website for details.

Factory tours run Mondays through Thursdays. Groups of 10 or more can call ahead to set up appointments outside of the regularly scheduled tour times.

A Printing History Camp for boys and girls entering grades 6-8 is available the first week of August. Campers explore the way books are made and spend the week writing, illustrating, editing, printing, and binding their own braille-print book.