Clarksburg’s Schoolhouse Restoration

In a moment long awaited and joyfully celebrated, Clarksburg, California’s beloved 1883 Schoolhouse has officially reopened after a meticulously managed restoration. Nestled beside the town post office in a serene oak grove, the redwood-and-tin gem has returned to the heart of this Delta community, reopening its doors as a vibrant educational and cultural hub.

Originally built in 1883, this two-room redwood schoolhouse—known in earlier days as the Merritt School—served local students until 1923. For decades afterward, it stood largely untouched at the Noah Adams Lumber Yard, sheltering countless stories despite years of neglect.

In 2015, Dan and Judy Serpa stepped forward, donating the schoolhouse to the “Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse,” a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to its preservation. By 2019, the nearly 2,000-square-foot structure had been carefully relocated to its permanent site, priming it for overhaul .

Over recent years, a passionate community team—including woodworkers, designers, historians, and storytellers—took the helm to revive both form and function of the historic building . Restoration milestones included: Structural reinforcement and exterior restoration, Preservation of the original 1883 flagpole. and Installation of informative exhibits, historic photographs, and local oral histories.

Grant funding from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and interpretive support from the Delta Protection Commission helped fuel progress, enabling the transformation into a community-ready cultural venue.

Now reborn, the Schoolhouse aims to serve as Clarksburg’s virtual and interactive scrapbook, spotlighting local history, agricultural heritage, and educational narratives. It features rotating museum-quality displays, digital installations for students K–12, and space for community events—from lectures to wine-tasting evenings.

“Clarksburg was always one of the few integrated schools in the Delta,” says historian Steve Hiromoto, referencing a 1921 photo showing students of diverse backgrounds learning together—an exceptional example of early 20th-century inclusivity. Restoring the Schoolhouse celebrates this legacy of unity and progress.

Now, as a cultural gathering place, it promises to reinforce community bonds while honoring the town’s multicultural farmland roots.

With restoration funding wrapping up in 2025, the Friends group is turning toward long-term sustainability. Plans include: a deck and landscaping to support outdoor events, partnerships with schools and local wineries, and continued oral history collection and digital outreach

The public is invited to drop by weekends, 11 AM–3 PM, at 36446 Riverview Drive. Future events—lectures, music, wine tastings, school visits—are already in the works. 

Clarksburg’s Schoolhouse isn’t just a restored building—it’s a restored connection to community, culture, and shared identity.

For information, see www.1883clarksburgschoolhouse.org.

~ Al Zagofsky