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.