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.

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). 

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. 

• 2023: On-site celebration held for the Criterion being placed on the Country Schoolhouse Association of America national registry of country schools worthy of recognition for the preservation efforts being made. Criterion is the first Oregon schoolhouse to receive this designation.

• 2025:  Designated as a Historical Location by the City of Salem.

• 2025:  Received a $1,000 Grant from the Country School Association of America.

• Plans for 2025 and beyond:

  • Redesign the ADA access ramp and install a new ramp.

  • Cap and re-point the brick chimney.

  • Address interior floor issues. Refinish the interior floor.

  • Develop a family picnic area with informational kiosks providing relevant historical facts about Oregon's Public Schools and lifelong learning.

  • Develop an educational component in order to host visitors beyond the eleven day Oregon State Fair (e.g.- fourth grade field trips, FFA legislative days visitations, etc.)

  • Prepare for the 50th anniversary of the relocation of the Criterion Schoolhouse in 2026.

• 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