Mitcham’s first school
Mitcham’s first school was a tiny one room stone building on the Mitcham Reserve that functioned as a school, a chapel and a community meeting place. As Mitcham Village expanded the community saw the need for improved facilities. The institute was built in 1870 by the local community. Architects Garlick & McMinn’s plans showed a school room, a residence for the School headmaster and a library and performance space (known as an Institute) but the committee ran out of money which meant that the Institute and the school had to share the same room.
School classes and Institute programs often clashed and school numbers continued to grow leading to overcrowding. The Government finally agreed to build a new school for Mitcham and in 1879 the Mitcham public school in Belair Road Lower Mitcham was completed. The Institute has always been a popular place for performances concerts and even the movies. Today the Institute continues to be used by the community for community events, classes, private functions and exhibitions.
Mitcham Library
The Mitcham library was run by local residents James and Sarah Slee. James was a trustee of the Institute. Institutes were established by local communities to provide free adult education. They offered evening classes and a library. There were no free libraries in South Australia until 1957.
Who ran the Mitcham library from 1891-1918?
Sarah Slee.
The Mitcham Primary School was located here from 1870 - 1879. Where did the Headmaster live?
In the Eastern Wing of the building.
Mitcham Institute Circa 1880
Mitcham Institute 1908
Music – Mitcham City Band at Institute 1928
Mitcham Institute Ground Plan
