Byrd School Needs Your Help !
The Byrd School, which once provided generations of Umatilla County residents with a disciplined introduction to the three R’s – reading, writing, and arithmetic, now needs the help of its community. The old school, built in 1879 and given over to the stewardship of the Umatilla County Historical Society in 1990, is seriously in need of repair and repainting. Last fall, volunteer workers replaced several siding boards that were suffering from dry rot. The building now needs a full scale scrape down and professional prepping for a repainting. The building will be painted white to restore it to the color it originally had during its life as a school house (1879-1940).
The Byrd School has a story similar to many of Oregon’s early rural schools, but it is distinguished by the many people who loved it and came together to save it. The Byrd School was built in 1879 seven miles south of Pilot Rock. It retained its identity as a school through early 1940, at which time it was felt that it was more economical to bus the students into Pilot Rock. The building then saw an extended period of service as a grain storage unit. In 1990, Vern Nielson donated the old school to the Umatilla County Historical Society. The building was moved to Pendleton and lovingly restored by volunteers associated with the Historical Society. Re-enactments of early rural school life were routinely staged for visitors.
During its long and varied life, the Byrd School has acquired many friends and supporters. It is to these individuals and organizations that the Historical Society now appeals for help in raising the funds necessary for the school’s revitalization. The project will cost approximately $2,400 of which the Historical Society has $600 set aside. Another $1800 is needed. This amount can be met through individual donations and organizational fundraising projects.
The Umatilla County Historical Society is also initiating a wide-spread gathering of stories, memories and memorabilia associated with the Byrd School, with the end goal of devoting a small publication exclusively to the Byrd School and its history.
Contributions – both financial and documentary - can be directed to the Byrd School Project, Umatilla County Historical Society, P O Box 253, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone inquires are welcomed, 541-276-0012.