Adelaide House (Alice Springs) facts for kids
Adelaide House, also known as the Australian Inland Mission Hostel, is a special building on the Todd Mall in Alice Springs. It was the very first hospital built specifically for its purpose in the area. The hospital was designed by a kind man named Reverend John Flynn and finished in 1926. Today, Adelaide House is a museum. Volunteers from Heritage Alice Springs Incorporated manage it.
A Look Back in Time
Adelaide House became the first hospital in Alice Springs thanks to the hard work of Reverend John Flynn. He was a superintendent for the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) starting in 1912. Flynn often traveled to remote places like Alice Springs. He really wanted to make life better for people living in Central Australia.
Before Adelaide House was built, there were no doctors nearby. People had to rely on their own knowledge and basic supplies when they got sick. For emergencies, they would send a telegram to a doctor in Adelaide. The doctor would send advice back by telegram. Sadly, many people died from illnesses that could have been prevented.
A Big Idea for the Outback
Flynn started raising money for the hospital in 1918. He would "pass around the hat" to collect donations. Local people also formed a committee to help raise funds. It's interesting that Flynn thought building a hospital was more important than building a church first.
Construction began in 1920. A 70-year-old stonemason named Jack Williams got the job. He had also built the Stuart Town Gaol. Williams found it hard to find good workers. He often worked alone for three years. By 1923, building stopped because costs were too high, and there was no more money.
More funds were raised, and construction started again in 1925. Flynn hired Bert and Angus McLeod from Adelaide to finish the work. Adelaide House was completed and opened on June 24, 1926. It was the ninth of 14 medical places set up by the AIM. These places were a big part of Flynn's idea for a "mantle of safety" for people in the outback.
A New Chapter
In February 1934, a separate medical facility was set up for Aboriginal people. This was a simple hut built on the east bank of the Todd River.
A much larger, new hospital opened in 1939. From 1938, Adelaide House stopped being a hospital. It was still used by the AIM, though. It became a place for children from remote areas whose parents were in the hospital. It also offered care for women before and after childbirth.
During World War II, the army took over Adelaide House. It was used to house nurses from the Australian Army Nursing Service.
In 1952, Reverend John Flynn passed away. The AIM Board planned to close the hostel. Many people involved with the hostel strongly disagreed. Reverend Kingsley 'Skipper' Partridge even resigned because of the decision. However, the hostel stayed open. Jean Flynn, John Flynn's widow, and Reverend and Mrs. Mackay kept it running as volunteers. It continued to operate until 1961.
From 1961 to 1980, the Uniting Church used the building. It served as a home for a minister, a meeting place, and a Sunday school.
Cool Design
Flynn designed Adelaide House with a clever cooling system. It had a cellar with special ducts. These ducts brought cool air up to the upper floors. This unique system was based on the idea of a “Coolgardie safe”.
What is it Now?
In 1980, the National Trust (Northern Territory) recognized the building as important. Today, Adelaide House is a local history museum. Volunteers run it, and it focuses on the history of health in Central Australia.
