Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$2,292 raised by 20 donors

100% complete

$0 Goal

The two thousand square foot Clarksburg Schoolhouse was constructed in 1883 to educate the local school age children. While educational segregation occurred elsewhere during the 40 years of its operation, the Clarksburg Schoolhouse was open for the children of all cultures and ethnicities in the local population.  During its lifetime, it was also a community center providing a location for church services, dances, dinners, and community meetings.

In 2015, the Schoolhouse building was donated to the Community of Clarksburg by Dan and Judy Serpa and in 2019, the Schoolhouse was moved to a new site in the heart of Clarksburg in a beautiful oak grove.  It is imperative at this time to preserve and restore the historically important 1883 Schoolhouse before it deteriorates further and becomes economically impossible to save.

Specific objectives are to create a Delta Welcome Center presenting historic information, oral histories, photographs and memorabilia of local families, businesses and non-profits.  We want to create permanent educational and rotating museum quality exhibits, programs and resources that can be accessed by K-12 students, local residents and visitors to the Schoolhouse or on our website.  And lastly, to create a cultural and social gathering place for community-based activities and events.

Mission

Restore the iconic 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse in order to establish a facility to enhance economic activity in Clarksburg and the Delta by creating a Delta Welcome Center. To protect, promote and enhance the unique cultural, historical, natural resource, agricultural heritage and values of Clarksburg and the Delta by creating an education and resource center in the Schoolhouse.

Needs

Restoration of the Schoolhouse

The Schoolhouse retains many of its original features such as chalkboards, windows, and sliding doors that separate the two classrooms. The "bones" of the building are reasonably sound, but after years of neglect and use as a storage facility, the building requires extensive repair and restoration to create a safe and appealing environment for a Welcome Center that meets current codes and accessibility requirements. Monetary as well as in-kind support is needed for all aspects of the restoration including architecture and engineering, permits, site preparation and foundation, septic and water systems, building restoration, decking, ramps, and landscaping. Estimates for restoration are $800,000; however, in kind services and labor may offset some of these costs.

Development of interpretive, exhibit, and informational materials and resources.

Once restored, the Delta Welcome Center will house regional historic information including stories of local residents and businesses as well as current information about activities and points of interest and maps of the Delta. A completed Interpretive Planning Document provides guidance and identified ten focal topics for exhibits and information: the Pre-Human Inhabitants: Geology, Flora and Fauna; Miwok Indian Era; Early European Settlers; Gold Rush Era Settlers; Reclamation and Agricultural Evolution; 20th Century Development; A Melting Pot of Nationalities and Their Stories; Oral Histories, Photographs, and Memorabilia; The Town of Clarksburg and Its Community Spirit; Delta Region Topics of Interest. Funding for the development of exhibit and informational resources is needed: $225,000.

Creation of a long-term sustainability plan for the Schoolhouse.

The Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse have forged many meaningful partnerships with local and regional organizations, all of whom has pledged their support in many ways. Working with our partners, we are developing a sustainability plan for the Welcome Center.

Anticipated completion of the restoration of the Schoolhouse is 2022. We are considering all types of funding opportunities including hosting educational activities in partnership with regional schools, wine tasting, hosted special events, gifts and information, donations, grants, etc. On-going operations including maintenance, cleaning, utilities, supplies, and administrative expenses are estimated at $35,000 annually.

Equity Statement

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse

Year Established

2015

Tax id (EIN)

47-4470793

Mission Category

Education

Operating Budget

$50,001 - $100,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted

Local Counties Served

Yolo

Address

36397 Center St.
Clarksburg, CA 95612

Service areas

Yolo, CA, US

Sacramento, CA, US

Phone

916-715-7751

fax

916-715-7751