History of Camphill

A historical timeline of Camphill

 

1938

On the night of the Nazi occupation of Austria, in Vienna Dr Karl König and his group gather by candlelight behind closed curtains. They resolve to meet in another country to continue their work to create a community for children with special needs. In the following days and weeks, the group of 11 flee Austria. 

1939

On March 30, 1939 the first of the group moves into the disused manse at Kirkton, near Insch, following an invitation to start their work in Aberdeenshire. 

1940

Thanks to a loan from publisher Mr W F Macmillan, Dr König and his colleagues purchase the Camphill Estate in the Milltimber area of Aberdeen and found the community that will establish and give its name to the worldwide Camphill Movement. 

1944

Again supported by Mr Macmillan, Camphill acquires the nearby Murtle Estate in the Bieldside area of Aberdeen as a second community to help children with special needs. 

1945

Camphill acquires Newton Dee Estate, originally as a community for boys with special needs and difficulties. 

1948

St John’s School opens on Murtle Estate to provide education facilities for the special needs’ children at Camphill and Murtle, alongside the children of Camphill co-workers.

1950

Cairnlee Estate purchased, initially as a centre for girls.

1953

Camphill Movement spreads outside Aberdeen for the first time, with the opening of centres in England. 

1959

First Camphill community established in USA. 

1960

Newton Dee transfers to the Camphill Village Trust as a centre for adults with special needs. 

1978

The Beannachar centre established at Banchory Devenick, just outside Aberdeen. 

1984

Simeon Care for the Elderly opens on Cairnlee, in the Bieldside area of Aberdeen.

1987

Tigh a’Chomainn opens in Peterculter area of Aberdeen as a home for more independently-minded young adults, who need the support of an extended family unit.

2004

Save Camphill campaign launched to avert the threat of a near motorway-standard by-pass through the Newton Dee and Camphill School Aberdeen campuses in Bieldside, Aberdeen.

2005

In December 2005, Scotland's Transport Minister announces his preferred route for the Aberdeen by-pass averting the threat to Newton Dee and Camphill School Aberdeen's Murtle Campus.

2006

Milltown, Arbuthnott, becomes part of Camphill.

 

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