Jacobs Hall, its oldest surviving building (built 1857), was designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of this history.

KSD was established as the Kentucky Asylum for the Tuition of the Deaf and Dumb on April 10, 1823.

In 1822, Barbee and John Rowan wrote legislation authorizing the creation of the school.

This land in Florida and Arkansas was eventually sold to finance the construction of school facilities.

In the early years it was thought that the Kentucky school might be able to meet the educational needs of all deaf people in the southern and western United States.

It has been proposed that the campus be reduced to 50 acres (20 ha), demolishing or selling several of the buildings.