Our History
Our past and our future...

The Maryland School for the Blind is 155 years old!

In 1853, Franklin Pierce had just been elected as the 14th President of the United States, Abe Lincoln was still a young congressman in Illinois, and most people would scoff at the very suggestion that, in the very near future, Americans would turn against Americans in a bloody Civil War. It was also the year that our school, known as the Maryland Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, first opened its doors in downtown Baltimore.

Starting with a small group of students, the school had three superintendents in the first 11 years. The first superintendent was David E. Loughery who was a blind graduate of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind. It then settled into a period of tremendous growth under the direction of Fredrick Douglas Morrison, who was superintendent from 1864 to 1904. A national leader in his profession, instrumental in the founding of the American Association of Instructors of the Blind and an early proponent of a then controversial new system called "braille", Mr. Morrison lead the nation by example.

In 1868 he moved the campus to much larger quarters on North Avenue and changed the name to The Maryland School for the Blind. In 1872, when segregation was still the law of the land, he was a founder of The Maryland School for the Colored Blind and Deaf and served as the superintendent of both schools. John Frances Bledsoe became superintendent in 1906.

In 1908 Mr. Bledsoe moved the school to its present location in the Northeast corner of Baltimore City. The leadership at The Maryland School for the Blind reads like a Who’s Who in Education for the Blind in America. Francis M. Andrews, Herbert Joseph Wolfe, and Richard L. Welsh were all internationally recognized innovators who moved the school forward into the 20th century.

Historical Timeline

The Maryland School for the Blind has come a long way in 154 years!  We are extremely proud of our history and we hope you will join us in celebrating this significant milestone!

1853     The Maryland Institution for the Education of the Blind incorporated as a private, state-aided school

1864     Frederick Douglas Morrison began his 40-year career as Superintendent

1885     The School’s name changed to The Maryland School for the Blind.

1887     Superintendent Morrison has a founder of the American Association of Workers for the Blind

1906     John Francis Bledsoe became Superintendent and served for 36 years.

1907     The School moved to its present location on Taylor Avenue in Parkville

1909     Newcomer Hall and four cottages were built, beginning the first cottage system for instruction of the blind.

1924     Students began attending City College and Eastern High Schools, a first in the country

1945     During 12:30-2:00 p.m. lunch and free time, some students went to Overlea to shop

1952     First deaf-blind student accepted and Boy Scout Troop 710 formed.

1953     Governor McKeldin spoke at dedication of Bledsoe Building and Knefely Gym

1957     Andrews Building completed

1964     Key Club was organized, sponsored by Parkville Kiwanis Club

1966     Students began attending Parkville High School

1970     The Health Center was named for Miss Sallie Mae Bledsoe, a nurse at MSB for 50 years

1972     Under Superintendent Herbert J. Wolfe, a facility was designed for the multiply handicapped students afflicted by the rubella epidemic of the late ‘60’s

1974     P.L.94-142 mandated education for all handicapped children to age 21

1977     Aquatherapy pool built

1978     Superintendent Dr. Richard L. Welsh oversaw completion of major facility additions and remodeling.

1982     Five new buildings were dedicated

1987     MSB and Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) began Hoover Low Vision Services.

1988     Archives of Orientation & Mobility opened at MSB

1990     Louis M. Tutt became 10th Superintendent

1999     The Jen C. Russo Arts Center was dedicated

2003     MSB celebrates its 150th Anniversary

2004     Elaine Sveen became 11th Superintendent and first female        superintendent

2007      MSB celebrates 100 years in Parkville, MD

2008       Dr. Michael J. Bina became 12th Superintendent