Turning Twenty!

Looking Forward and Back in Time
Happy New Year! As we round the corner into 2025 most of us look ahead and hope for the health of our families, peaceful co-existence, and enriching activities. As a member of CSAA, it is gratifying to reflect on the past and recall the experiences that have fostered renewed interest in preserving our country schools. Just perusing the photos from our 20 years of CSAA conferences reminds me of how many memorable moments we've spent as an organization reuniting with old friends, traveling to places we would never have considered, and being involved in  research and presentations that have proven invaluable to our passion for preserving our "icons of public education." So, we continue to invite even more history buffs to keep up the momentum of our association.

But, how DO we encourage another generation to pick up that gauntlet and keep our preservation efforts in the forefront? Since 2005 CSAA has laid the groundwork and set many precedents for those who might consider taking an active role in our mission. 

What do we say to our prospective new members and future participants? I've come up with a list that is not exhaustive by any measure and I look to our readers for additional suggestions. Feel free to submit comments below.

     WHY BECOME INVOLVED WITH CSAA and WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Schoolhouse history is interesting. Everyone has attended "school!" It is a shared experience.
• Preservation and restoration are rewarding enterprises.
• ​Schoolhouse museums that we promote provide unforgettable living history experiences for children.
• You only need to be interested. Without doubt you'll get hooked on schoolhouses.
• You will meet new friends of like mind. 
• You will find that country school research is addictive in a positive way.
• You will be comfortable sharing your research and preparing presentations. (only if you wish to)
• You will want to attend the annual CSAA Country School Conference in a university setting.
• You will travel to a different state to attend the annual conferences.
• You will visit innumerable country school museums!
• You will learn surprising things about schoolhouses and early public education from our presentations and programs.
• All your areas of interest will be welcome that promote our mission. (teaching, technology, research, photography, programming, museum curating, collecting, building, antiquing, etc.)
• Your experiences at the annual conference will be surprising, historical, relevant, active, and hands on.
• ​Your new/or existing compendium of knowledge will include preservation, restoration, history and programming in country schools.
• ​You may take on a new and unexpected hobby working in a local schoolhouse or taking care of one.
• You can be on the giving end of awards and grants serving on a selection committee from the comfort of your home.
• You may be spurred to get involved with a community project saving a schoolhouse.
• You can stay home and be involved if that's your preference! CSAA is a web-based organization with one annual conference in-person.
• Your level of involvement in CSAA is voluntary. No extra demands on your time.
• Share your writing skills. You can submit articles for our blog, "The Report Card."​

Nothing to lose and everything to gain...help preserve our remaining historic one-room schools.

JOIN or RENEW CSAA MEMBERSHIP TODAY!