By Erin Rae Buck
In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, Downtown Frederick Partnership is delighted to feature Erin Rae Buck, Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator for the Maryland School for the Deaf, in this month’s edition of Voices of Downtown Frederick. Erin reflects on her life as a CODA in Frederick, MD — a community that has a rich Deaf culture, which is evidenced by our local businesses, artwork, and a strong and positive presence in daily life.
From the moment I was born, I was immersed in two languages, two cultures, and two communities. Born in Frederick, MD with one Deaf parent (my mother), one hearing parent (my father), and an older brother, American Sign Language (ASL) was our first language. My brother’s first sign was “milk” at just six months old and mine was “mom” at nine months. Long before we entered elementary school, we were interpreting phone calls and navigating life as part of both the Deaf and hearing communities. Two languages, two cultures, two communities — one family. The best of both “worlds,” which shaped who I am today.
So when I was asked to write about living, working, or playing in Downtown Frederick as someone actively engaged in the Deaf community, ideas flowed immediately.
Frederick has always been home. Some of my earliest memories include visiting Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) where both of my parents worked, birthday parties in Baker Park, and learning alongside classmates at South Frederick Elementary (now Lincoln Elementary), where teachers were familiar with the concept of having a CODA in their classrooms. One of my favorite family photos is from a fall afternoon on the MSD campus — my brother and I fidgeting by the iconic water fountain while our parents signed to us to sit still. Though it dates back to the early 1980s, the feeling of family and culture it captures remains timeless.
That photo was taken in September, a month I’ve always loved. As a second-generation MSD employee, it marks the start of a new school year. September also holds special significance as Deaf Awareness Month — a time to educate, celebrate, and reflect on Deaf history, language, and achievements.
Signs of the Deaf community are everywhere in Downtown Frederick, offering daily exposure to the culture that is embedded in our city year-round — not just in September.
If you live, work, or play in Downtown Frederick, chances are you’ve walked or driven by the expansive MSD campus. A cornerstone since 1868, MSD serves deaf and hard of hearing students from birth through age 21 across 14 buildings. Daily life of academics, athletics, and after-school activities unfolds in a language-rich environment. Nestled on 68 acres in Downtown Frederick, MSD fosters access and awareness in ways many residents may not even realize. I just entered my 24th school year as an MSD employee and my 45th year roaming its campus with my family. If our paths cross, I’d love to hear your story or memory from our campus. If you don’t have one yet, come to a home game or event — we’d love to have you!
Spending time downtown, you’ve likely already experienced both obvious and subtle signs of Deaf culture. Maybe you’ve taken an ASL class taught by members of our local Deaf community at either Frederick Community College or with your soon-to-be Downtown Frederick neighbors on East Street at the Maryland Deaf Community Center (MDCC). Perhaps a Deaf neighbor has taught you a few signs and greets you each morning with a wave or smile.
Where does Downtown Frederick begin for you? Maybe it’s Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, where the Frederick Keys host an annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Night — welcoming students, families, and fans to cheer, sign, and shake their keys. Or maybe it’s the Carroll Street water tower, a City of Frederick landmark guiding students and visitors to MSD.
Exploring downtown with family? You might stop by C. Burr Artz Library, where ASL storytime brings books to life and the front desk loops ASL-accessible information on screen. At The Delaplaine Arts Center, MSD students’ artwork is featured each December in the Community Art Gallery. Walking along Carroll Creek? Look for engraved bricks — one features the ASL sign for “I love you.” Nearby, the ASL “FREDERICK” bike rack offers a perfect photo op and moment of cultural pride. Shopping close by? Visit Ivy’s Haven, a Deaf-owned boutique in Shab Row blending fashion and culture.
Frederick isn’t just a place where Deaf culture exists — it’s a place where it thrives.
As we celebrate Deaf Awareness Month this September, I invite you to look around Frederick with a new lens — through the eyes of your Deaf and hard of hearing neighbors. Notice the signs — literal and figurative — that highlight the Deaf community’s strong and positive presence. Learn a few signs, attend a community event, or support a local Deaf-owned business.
Celebrating Deaf Awareness Month goes beyond acquiring knowledge — it’s about connection. It’s about embracing what makes our community unique and united. Two languages, two cultures, two communities, one town — Frederick, MD.
Learn more about the Maryland School for the Deaf: msd.edu
Erin Rae Buck is a proud CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult) and lifelong resident of Frederick, MD, where her personal and professional journeys are rooted in both the Deaf and hearing communities. A 1998 graduate of Frederick High School, she went on to earn her BA from Mount St. Mary’s University and her MA from Hood College. Now in her 24th school year at the Maryland School for the Deaf, Erin is a second-generation employee and serves as the school’s Outreach and Community Relations Coordinator.
