Save the Criterion Schoolhouse
The Criterion Schoolhouse stands on the Oregon State Fairgrounds as a tribute to public education.
Our committee's purpose is to help preserve, restore and enhance this historical treasure.
Save Our Schoolhouse and Pay Tribute to Public Education
Come Visit! Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, Oregon
Until the mid-20th century, most Americans learned there ABC's in one-room schoolhouses. Each community would pool its resources and, often at real sacrifice, build a school for its children. The teacher would "board in" with one or more of the local families.
The Criterion Schoolhouse opened in 1912, near the unincorporated community of Criterion located between Maupin and Madras, Oregon. The school closed in 1925 and the children were bussed to the school in Maupin. The building continued to serve the local people as a place to vote, dance, and hold church services. The school also served briefly as a local Grange Hall.
Eventually, the Criterion School site was bought by a local rancher in 1969. The building was used to store hay as well as grain.
The Criterion Schoolhouse was moved from its original location in Maupin, Oregon, to the Oregon State Fairgrounds for the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration. The schoolhouse continues to stand as a tribute to not only one-room schoolhouses but also to public education in Oregon.
Who We Are
The Save the Criterion Schoolhouse Committee started in 2016, in order to work on sustaining the Criterion Schoolhouse which had developed roof leaks that were endangering the building. The Committee is part of the Oregon Retired Educators Association (OREA).
Members of the Save the Criterion School Committee
Bottom Row: Carol Greeno, Robin Bodey, Jan Eck and Dale Edwards
Top Row: Pat Eck, Val Luukinen, Carla Mundt, Carolyn Hutton and Matt Falby
What We Do
Our purpose is to preserve, restore and enhance the Criterion Schoolhouse. Over the last seven years, our committee has been involved with:
2017: re-roofed the Criterion Schoolhouse. Funding for this endeavor was by donations and a generous loan from OREA Unit #1, Portland.
2017: Oregon State Grange accepted a resolution at its annual convention in support of the Save the Criterion School Campaign.
2019: Windows restored by Vintage Window Restoration. The Siletz Tribe Community Contribution Grant provided $6,100 to help pay for this effort.
2021: Painted the outside of the Criterion.
2021: Installed a roof gutter system to move rainwater away from the building.
2023: Partnered with the Clatsop County Community College Historic Preservation and Restoration Program to hold workshops to mill and install the wood needed to replace dry rotted siding, trim and skirting boards. Major funding for this work was supplied by a Siletz Tribe Community Contribution Grant, a donation from the Schwartz Family Foundation and other generous donors.
2023: Oregon Heritage MentorCorps program provided assistance in developing a plan to inventory existing artifacts used during Fair Time as well as help in developing an artifact acquisition plan.
Plans for 2023 and beyond:
Redesign the ADA access ramp
Cap the chimney
Address interior floor issues
Develop a family picnic area with informational kiosks providing relevant historical facts about Oregon's Public Schools.
Prepare for the 50th anniversary of the relocation of the Criterion Schoolhouse in 2026.
How to Get Involved
Volunteer as a host at the Criterion Schoolhouse during the Oregon State Fair. Over 70 volunteers are required to keep the schoolhouse open for visits. Volunteers are provided instructions on what to do during each shift and are provided free admission to the fair as well as a parking permit. Anyone interested should contact Carol Greeno for further information (503) 362-6015.
Become a Criterion Schoolhouse Ambassador.
Stay aware of current activities concerning the Criterion Schoolhouse.
Make a tax-deductible donation. Please make checks payable to the Oregon State Fair Foundation with the comment "for the Criterion Schoolhouse Project". Mail checks to: Oregon State Fair Foundation, 2330 17th Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Schoolhouse Roof
In 2016, the roof began to fail, placing the Criterion in jeopardy. Note the temporary tarp installed to help limit the damage to the building. OREA did a fund raiser and was able to restore the roof in time for the opening of the 2017 State Fair.
Window restoration
Very few windows opened in 2017. A matching grant from the Siletz Tribal Community Contribution Fund allowed for window restoration in 2018. Open windows allowed the building to be kept open during the pandemic.
Statesman Journal Photo 2017
The floor was cleaned and buffed in 2023.
Handwash stand added in 2023
Blackboards ready for kid coloring pages during State Fair time
Did you know:
Until the last few decades, most Americans learned their ABCs in one-room schoolhouses. Each community would pool its resources and, often at real sacrifice, build a school for its children. This picture shows Alice Clark with her students outside of the Criterion Schoolhouse in 1925, the last year the school was open.
-1926 Notes from Alice Clark. The last teacher at Criterion: "I decided to take a fishing trip on The Deschutes. I asked the children to bring fishing poles the next day, and I brought a frying pan. We spent the whole day and caught enough fish to fill teacher and each kid."
Affiliates
The Oregon Retired Educators Association (OREA) is the state affiliate of the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), AARP’s Educator Community. OREA Website
Oregon State Fair and Expo Center https://oregonstateexpo.org/