Can CSAA help me save a schoolhouse in my community?
The CSAA is a national non-profit organization whose members are involved in some phase of country school history, preservation, restoration, research, and living history programs. We are all volunteers, many of whom are involved with saving schoolhouses across the country. Upon application and acceptance, the CSAA can offer specific small grants to qualifying schools, but does not have funds to help save community schoolhouses.
At one time in history there were nearly 220,000 country schools in the United States and many of those remaining have become preservation projects for historical societies and private citizens who work constantly to come up with creative fundraising ideas. It is a common theme that communities and associations adopt schools and raise money, as public funding is rare for schoolhouse restoration.
The CSAA is mainly an organization that shares information and calls enthusiasts together at an annual conference to present the history and activities related to preservation efforts.
Where can I find restoration contractors and specialists for my schoolhouse project?
The CSAA does not keep information on contractors or specialists, as once again, schoolhouse preservation is a local affair. State preservation societies and alliances may be able to help with that information. They sometimes offer a directory of contractors, consultants, craftspeople, services and organizations that adhere to a preservation ethic and may be members of that alliance.
If I get a CSAA school house marker, will I be listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
No. The CSAA has no affiliation with the National Registry of Historic Places. The marker is a recognition from the CSAA that your schoolhouse is significant in the history of education and that your preservation effort has contributed in some positive way to the appreciation and understanding of the country school experience. Markers are awarded to schools that are least 50 years old, and have been restored, renovated, or reconstructed to retain the integrity of their original design and are well-maintained.
Will the CSAA organization restore a schoolhouse?
No. The CSAA is not in the business of actually acquiring, restoring, or preserving schoolhouses. The membership shares a common interest in saving country schools and their history, but has no capability to restore any particular schoolhouse.
Can CSAA stop a school house's destruction or rescue one from being converted to another purpose?
No. Once again, that is strictly a local affair. But, the CSAA believes that our members and our efforts can serve as models for what is right and good about saving our remaining icons of education. Groups who find themselves lobbying to save schoolhouse structures are free to highlight CSAA’s work to bolster their argument for preservation! When the argument is made stressing the historical significance of our remaining schoolhouses, groups can prove there are nation-wide efforts at preservation and that community support can be garnered.
As for re-purposing, the CSAA’s first wish is to see schoolhouses saved for living history museums. Knowing that is not always possible, we are still intrigued and encouraged by some of the creative conversions we have encountered.
Can I sell my school house products, crafts, or services through CSAA?
The CSAA is a small audience, but growing. Our website might not be an effective vehicle for sale of schoolhouse products. We are willing to consider the possibility if our Board of Directors deems your product useful to our membership.
Can I donate my schoolhouse to CSAA to be operated and maintained?
No. The CSAA, with a national membership, has no facilities or resources to take on a schoolhouse, but we would be willing to post an article on Facebook or our blog, "The Report Card," about your schoolhouse in case there is interest in your area. [email protected] (Susan Fineman)
Can I donate my schoolhouse books and/or furnishings to CSAA?
We would be very happy to post an article for sharing on Facebook and there would probably be schoolhouse somewhere looking for donated items. The logistics would be up to the two parties involved in the donation and the acceptance. Write to: [email protected] (Susan Fineman) for posting. Please send as many details as possible with photos.
Does CSAA offer money for reunions, events, or promotional activities to promote country schools?
No. That is strictly a local effort.
Can I post my event on CSAA’s social media?
Yes. The CSAA is pleased to help promote any activities that help save and operate our country school museums. Email your news to [email protected] (Susan Fineman) and she will post to Facebook. Please send as many details as possible with photos or advertising flyers.
Why should I become a member of CSAA?
Good question. Your membership dues help to preserve country schools in a number of ways. CSAA offers a number of small grants and awards including: Grants for Preservation, Scholarship and Artistry, Service Award, Disaster Relief, and Innovative Instruction Grant. The annual membership is only $35, but goes far in supporting individual efforts to keep our schoolhouse history alive. Networking with schoolhouse enthusiasts is another benefit. We love country schools!
Does the CSAA list vendors for museum schoolhouse supplies, materials and/or books relating to one-room schools?
We can if we think our schoolhouse museums are looking for such items. We are considering a page dedicated to materials.
How can our preservation group/historical society offer to host an CSAA annual conference and bus tour of local schoolhouses?
CSAA annual conferences have been held on college campuses across the United States and we are always looking to expand. We hold two days of “country school” presentations and a one-day tour of local schoolhouses and historical sites.
It is a major undertaking to plan a conference that hosts between 60 and 100 guests. If you have a college campus and a number of one-room schools in your area to showcase on a bus tour, you might consider submitting a proposal. Upon request, we will provide you with a CSAA Conference Guide that outlines the procedure for planning a conference two years in advance. You can also access the tabs ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION and HOST A CONFERENCE in the drop down menus.
2025 is planned for Sunday, June 8th- Tuesday, June 10th at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
There is a proposal for the Finger Lakes Region of New York for June 2026.
There is plenty of time to consider hosting a future conference.
The CSAA is a national non-profit organization whose members are involved in some phase of country school history, preservation, restoration, research, and living history programs. We are all volunteers, many of whom are involved with saving schoolhouses across the country. Upon application and acceptance, the CSAA can offer specific small grants to qualifying schools, but does not have funds to help save community schoolhouses.
At one time in history there were nearly 220,000 country schools in the United States and many of those remaining have become preservation projects for historical societies and private citizens who work constantly to come up with creative fundraising ideas. It is a common theme that communities and associations adopt schools and raise money, as public funding is rare for schoolhouse restoration.
The CSAA is mainly an organization that shares information and calls enthusiasts together at an annual conference to present the history and activities related to preservation efforts.
Where can I find restoration contractors and specialists for my schoolhouse project?
The CSAA does not keep information on contractors or specialists, as once again, schoolhouse preservation is a local affair. State preservation societies and alliances may be able to help with that information. They sometimes offer a directory of contractors, consultants, craftspeople, services and organizations that adhere to a preservation ethic and may be members of that alliance.
If I get a CSAA school house marker, will I be listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
No. The CSAA has no affiliation with the National Registry of Historic Places. The marker is a recognition from the CSAA that your schoolhouse is significant in the history of education and that your preservation effort has contributed in some positive way to the appreciation and understanding of the country school experience. Markers are awarded to schools that are least 50 years old, and have been restored, renovated, or reconstructed to retain the integrity of their original design and are well-maintained.
Will the CSAA organization restore a schoolhouse?
No. The CSAA is not in the business of actually acquiring, restoring, or preserving schoolhouses. The membership shares a common interest in saving country schools and their history, but has no capability to restore any particular schoolhouse.
Can CSAA stop a school house's destruction or rescue one from being converted to another purpose?
No. Once again, that is strictly a local affair. But, the CSAA believes that our members and our efforts can serve as models for what is right and good about saving our remaining icons of education. Groups who find themselves lobbying to save schoolhouse structures are free to highlight CSAA’s work to bolster their argument for preservation! When the argument is made stressing the historical significance of our remaining schoolhouses, groups can prove there are nation-wide efforts at preservation and that community support can be garnered.
As for re-purposing, the CSAA’s first wish is to see schoolhouses saved for living history museums. Knowing that is not always possible, we are still intrigued and encouraged by some of the creative conversions we have encountered.
Can I sell my school house products, crafts, or services through CSAA?
The CSAA is a small audience, but growing. Our website might not be an effective vehicle for sale of schoolhouse products. We are willing to consider the possibility if our Board of Directors deems your product useful to our membership.
Can I donate my schoolhouse to CSAA to be operated and maintained?
No. The CSAA, with a national membership, has no facilities or resources to take on a schoolhouse, but we would be willing to post an article on Facebook or our blog, "The Report Card," about your schoolhouse in case there is interest in your area. [email protected] (Susan Fineman)
Can I donate my schoolhouse books and/or furnishings to CSAA?
We would be very happy to post an article for sharing on Facebook and there would probably be schoolhouse somewhere looking for donated items. The logistics would be up to the two parties involved in the donation and the acceptance. Write to: [email protected] (Susan Fineman) for posting. Please send as many details as possible with photos.
Does CSAA offer money for reunions, events, or promotional activities to promote country schools?
No. That is strictly a local effort.
Can I post my event on CSAA’s social media?
Yes. The CSAA is pleased to help promote any activities that help save and operate our country school museums. Email your news to [email protected] (Susan Fineman) and she will post to Facebook. Please send as many details as possible with photos or advertising flyers.
Why should I become a member of CSAA?
Good question. Your membership dues help to preserve country schools in a number of ways. CSAA offers a number of small grants and awards including: Grants for Preservation, Scholarship and Artistry, Service Award, Disaster Relief, and Innovative Instruction Grant. The annual membership is only $35, but goes far in supporting individual efforts to keep our schoolhouse history alive. Networking with schoolhouse enthusiasts is another benefit. We love country schools!
Does the CSAA list vendors for museum schoolhouse supplies, materials and/or books relating to one-room schools?
We can if we think our schoolhouse museums are looking for such items. We are considering a page dedicated to materials.
How can our preservation group/historical society offer to host an CSAA annual conference and bus tour of local schoolhouses?
CSAA annual conferences have been held on college campuses across the United States and we are always looking to expand. We hold two days of “country school” presentations and a one-day tour of local schoolhouses and historical sites.
It is a major undertaking to plan a conference that hosts between 60 and 100 guests. If you have a college campus and a number of one-room schools in your area to showcase on a bus tour, you might consider submitting a proposal. Upon request, we will provide you with a CSAA Conference Guide that outlines the procedure for planning a conference two years in advance. You can also access the tabs ANNUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION and HOST A CONFERENCE in the drop down menus.
2025 is planned for Sunday, June 8th- Tuesday, June 10th at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
There is a proposal for the Finger Lakes Region of New York for June 2026.
There is plenty of time to consider hosting a future conference.