Michigan School For The Deaf Timeline

1848

State of Michigan law established a School for the Deaf and Blind.

1849

November, Flint won over Romeo and Kalamazoo (for a location for the school)..
December, First Principal, Charles Palmer, never took office.
Epaphroditus Ranson, Governor of Michigan.

1853

Reverend Barnabas M. Fay hired. First rented a building on the corner of 8th and Church.

1854

February 6th First deaf student, James Bradley to enter the school at the age of 26. The school opened its doors to deaf and blind. Mary Hoff was the first blind student. Total students 12.
School building construction began.

1855

William M. Berg, first deaf teacher hired and taught until 1876. Students enrolled: 70.

1856

Students enrolled: 72. First permanent building to be erected on campus, building later named Clarke Hall.

1857

Students enrolled: 111.

1861

Purchased Lot 70 in Glenwood Cemetery for burial of orphans attending school.

1868

Name of school was changed from "Asylum" to "Institution." Brick workshop/Vocational building erected.

1870

Main school building in front of (Clarke Hall) completed after the Civil War.

1872

Printing Shop was added to the school.

1874

First MICHIGAN MIRROR (School publication).

1875

Enrollment surpasses 200 students.

1880

Separate school for the blind established and located in Lansing.

1894

Superintendent's residence constructed, students of cabinet shop decorated interior including many pieces of ornate furniture.

1897

New shop building started - Turner Hall, Honor Cottage later became a Hospital and Orchard Cottage used by staff members.

1899

Ground broken and Brown Hall erected.

1900

Classes open in Brown Hall.

1912

Main building destroyed by fire and the construction of the new building (Fay Hall) started in 1913 and completed in 1914 (same location).

1926

Stewart Gym constructed.

1932

Gilbert Hall constructed.

1934

Enrollment surpasses 500 students.

1942

Service Building built (1992 building renamed to Thelma Heck).

1949

Stevens Hall constructed.

1953

Heating Plant constructed.

1958

New School Building built (1992 renamed to Fay Academy).

1964

New Health Center Built (1992 renamed to Irene Hughes).

1969

Enrollment of over 400 students.

1991

First Deaf Superintendent Dr. Brian D. McCartney is hired.

1995

Sold Fay Hall, Stewart Gym and 6 acres to Valley School.
Blind students moved back to Flint campus.

1998

Started Construction on New Blind Dormitory on Flint Campus.
Dr. Brian D. McCartney passes away of acute leukemia.

2003

Beth Steenwyk becomes Dept Director of Spec Ed and begins to oversee MSDB.

2004

MSD Celebrates 150 years-Time capsule planted.

2005

Fay Hall, Stewart Gym, etc. revert back to the State of Michigan.
MSD has an enrollment of 150 students.
CAC places Video Phones all across campus.

2006

David Sanderson hired as State Administrative Manager for MSD.

2011

Stewart Gym torn down.
MSD campus sold to a developer. A new school built for MSD to lease from the developer.
David Sanderson retired - position currently vacant.
Ground Breaking Ceremony October 13, 2011.

2012

Thelma Heck building (formerly service building) torn down.
2012-2013 School year starts in the new building.
Tear down of Fay Academy begins.

2013

Football team wins for the first game since 1978.
MSD hosts Academic Bowl.

2014

MSD hosts CSSD Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament.
Middle school students won regionals for Battle of the Books.