People who live in our area are welcome to use the schoolhouse for personal events such as birthday parties, wedding receptions, family get-togethers, and free community events. We also have a limited number of days each year that can be reserved for commercial functions (for-profit), for example, classes or yard sales.
The Venersborg Schoolhouse is located at 24309 NE 209th Street, eight miles east of Battle Ground, WA. It is on the National Historic Register and on Washington State’s Historic Register as the oldest community building in continuous use. Your help is needed to keep it in good repair. By using the building YOU are considered an associate member and are responsible for cleaning and/or any damage that results from your use or your guests’ use of the building.
The building has a capacity of 85 people, and is accessible with ramp and doors for wheelchairs. There are 8 six-foot tables and 1 eight-foot table; several benches and chairs for seating. Cell service is spotty though people are usually able to send and receive texts. There is no wifi service in the building. There is a full kitchen, with conventional stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, and electric coffee pot. The labeled cupboards hold limited cooking and serving ware and utensils, table cloths, towels and dish rags, and normal kitchen items. There is a chest of silverware and plates available for meals, but we encourage you to bring your own. A thermostat is used to run the heater, and there is an iconic wood stove and firewood to use with permission during colder months; there is no air conditioning, but ceiling fans with adjustable speed keep the air cool in the main room. Windows in the kitchen area can be opened gently.
FEES FOR USE
The rental fee structure for the Schoolhouse is as follows:
Full Day Use (includes 2 partial day use)
$100 for an event with 1 to 20 people
$150 for an event with 21 to 40 people
$250 for an event with 41 to 85 people
Partial Day Use during these times: (8am-1pm, 1pm-6pm, or 6pm-11pm). Includes setup and cleanup
$ 50 for an event with 1 to 20 people
$ 75 for an event with 21 to 40 people
$125 for an event with 41 to 85 people
Commercial functions (for profit)
$300 per day (up to 85 people) up to 5 consecutive days
Scouts & Youth Groups
Trade for service hours
Fees are payable to the Venersborg Historic Preservation Society. An additional $35 cleaning deposit is charged separately, and is refunded when the school and grounds are left clean as instructed on the downloaded form.
We welcome any additional donations above the minimum fee. All funds are used to maintain the building or sponsor community events. Thank you for helping us keep the schoolhouse in good condition.
RESERVE A DATE FOR YOUR EVENT
Once you have confirmed the building is available, click this email link: reservations@venersborgschoolhouse.com to request the use of the facility. Include the date, time and type of event, with contact information including phone number.
To reserve the Schoolhouse, please print the following document:
Venersborg Schoolhouse Event Request Form and Rental Agreement
Complete and mail the signed copy of the last page (Rental Agreement) with the appropriate fees and cleaning deposit checks to:
Kathy Holtby, Treasurer, Venersborg Historic Preservation Society, P.O. Box 475, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Reservations are tentative until we receive both the Rental Agreement and payment.
Please do not email your Rental Agreement as we are currently unable to process requests/payments electronically.
CLEAN-UP:
Because we are a small organization, we don’t have staff to clean up after each building use. We rely upon you, the renter, to do that. Please leave the building, fire pit, and grounds clean, neat and as you found it.
There are a few details and instructions peculiar to the schoolhouse that you must be aware of and follow. The form you just downloaded explains the tasks that need to be done to open the building, turn on the utilities, and how to clean up after you use the building. If the building is not clean, we will charge an additional fee to you.
Thank you for making use of this beloved building. We hope you enjoy its rustic warmth and the pleasure it brings to our community. If you notice a problem please notify us as soon as possible by contacting Emily Meek at 360-798-3931 or Celeste Reising at 360-687-6279.