The South Australian Institution for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb opened in Brighton in 1874 in the former Grace Darling Hotel. It was run by a committee founded by MP William Townsend. The foundation stone for a new building was laid in 1876. It was officially opened in June 1878. In 1946 the Institution was renamed Townsend House Schools for Deaf and Blind Children.
1874 - 1946 South Australian Institution for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb
1946 - 1970 Townsend House Schools for Deaf and Blind Children
1970 - 1999 Townsend House for Deaf and Blind Children
Sources used to compile this entry: 'History of Townsend House', in Can:Do 4Kids, Can:Do Group, 2011, http://web.archive.org/web/20150411173108/http://www.cando4kids.com.au/AboutUs/History.aspx; State Records of South Australia, 'Agency Description: GA1589 Townsend House Schools for Deaf and Blind Children 1946-1969', in State Records of South Australia, ArchivesSearch, http://archives.sa.gov.au.
Prepared by: Gary George and Karen George
Created: 8 July 2013, Last modified: 17 July 2013