Almeda C. Adams

Almeda C. Adams (February 26, 1865 – September 8, 1949) was a musician, teacher, and author who, with the assistance of Adelle Prentiss Hughes, founded the Cleveland Music School Settlement.

Biography Adams was born on February 26, 1865, in Meadville, Pennsylvania to James Adams, an itinerant preacher, and Katherine Adams (née Ketchum). As an infant, Almeda lost her eyesight and was blind the rest of her life. Her family lived in many places in Ohio, and Almeda attended the State School for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio. After graduation, she taught for a period in Nebraska at Lincoln Normal University and Nebraska School for the Blind, eventually returned to New York city for further study, and finally settled in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Music School Settlement, which continues to operate today as The Music Settlement, grew to include music instruction, music therapy, and other services at both its main location and several outreach sites.

She continued to teach until 1948 and died a year later on September 8, 1949, at the age of 84. Adams was interred with her family in Lakeview Cemetery.