Esther Olsen State Project

Esther Olsen
Oregon State President Children of the American Revolution 2010-2011

Strengthening Our Community

    The history of Chemawa Indian School dates back to the 1870's when the U.S. Government authorized a school for Indian children in the Northwest.

    A site was chosen at Forest Grove, on four acres of land rented from Pacific University. Lt. Wilkinson, with the help of eight Puyallup Indian boys began construction on the buildings in 1880. The initial class of students consisted of fourteen boys and four girls. All the students came from the State of Washington. These students were taught blacksmithing, shoemaking, carpentering, wagon making, girl's industries and advancement in studies.

    In 1885, the school moved to a site five miles north of Salem and began construction. The first graduating class completed the sixth grade in 1886. The year 1926 saw the peak enrollment at Chemawa, almost 1,000 students were enrolled. The 11th and 12th grades were added to the curriculum and all grades below the 6th were dropped. In 1927, Chemawa became a fully accredited high school.

    The Chemawa Indian School, soon to be celebrating it's 125th birthday, is the oldest continuously operating boarding school in the United States and numbers its graduates in the thousands. Currently about 300 students board there each year. This last year they finished construction on new dorms for the students. The students would like benches, so that they have some place to sit outside.

    Ladybug pins will be sold to raise money for Chemawa Indian School. These pins will be sold for $10 each. The entire amount of the donation will go towards purchasing benches for the new dorms.

    Donations may also be given as a personal or chapter donation of any amount. Donations will be recognized in the Oregon State Society newsletter with your name, chapter or organization, as a "Friend of the President's Project."

Graphics courtesy of Seven Spot Lady Bug, Aimillie and Backgrounds by Marie.