- Friday, October 8, 1976 Orlando, Florida 'Old' Town Hall Antiqued By Enterprising Pratt By LARRY LIPMAN Sentinel Star Staff LONGWOOD - Its neighbors around the block have hogged the spotlight, but one of Longwood's most historic buildings retains a trace of its century.-old heritage. The red building on Wilma Avenue here played an important role in this city's history - then was virtually abandoned for nearly a decade. THE SIGN under the eves reads "Old Town Hall" and two or three people a week climb the red steps seeking to pay their water bill or a traffic fine, said Tom Pratt, building owner. Pratt bought the 99-year-old building four years ago after it lay vacant for nearly a decade. Originally, it was Longwood's two-room, 12 grade schoolhouse. WHEN LYMAN High School opened in 1924 as a 12 grade school, the schoolhouse was converted to: town hall. The flooring was ripped out of one classroom and the building's north half became the city fire department. When the city built its new city hall a block away in 1954, the old red building reverted back to the Henck family, founders of Longwood. BY THE time Pratt purchased it in 1972, the building was in such poor condition from disuse city officials urged him to raze it. Instead, Pratt renovated the old structure, cleaned the grounds and made it into a showplace ranking with Longwood's other historic attractions. The town hall sign kept in storage was refinished and Pratt added the word "old." THE SOUTHERN portion was divided into two offices, Pratt's personal office and a general business office from which he operates Maximillian Enterprises - parent company for Gringos Restaurant chain, Longwood Crusty's Pizza and an ice machine company. The original hallway between the classrooms has been refurbished to resemble the early classrooms once operated there. A blackboard on one wall has the names of some of the early students who went there. Names well known in Longwood. TWO FADED American flags are crossed on the back wall. Facing the blackboard, cardboard pictures of the American presidents before World War I ring a doorway. The old wooden walls have been repainted the original grey. Antique desks, purchased in the Longwood area, line the walls. Former students say the desks are the same type as used in the school. For special historic events, Pratt's wife and daughters dress in 1920s garb and greet visitors with a brief history of the building. ON ONE such occasion, Hettie Arnett McNamara, a former student and teacher in the schoolhouse, greeted the visitors. The north side, where the fire engines once sat, has been converted to storage and warehouse area for the ice machine business. Eventually, Pratt hopes to hold a reunion of former students at the schoolhouse. He also hopes in the near future to build a small wishing well in the front yard over which he wants to hang an antique cast iron bell. The school's original bell was sold several years ago. Pupils Charged 75 Field trips to Sanford's Central Florida Zoo will cost L Seminole County public school children 75 cents each this year. Last year the children were allowed in free. The zoo had hoped to set up a contract with Seminole and surrounding county school systems to have a flat rate paid them - to be used for educational facilities at the park thus again giving students on field trips free admission. BUT AREA and budget decided to let REFLECTS PERIOD lend atmosphere At this flag P. Layer REFURBISHED OFFICE .. . Was once part of old classroom THE . THE . counties balked, claiming transportation problems, and the Seminole School Board students pay-as-you-go. week's board meeting, School Supt. William transmitted a message from zoo officials saying OLD SCHOOLHOUSE HALLWAY Antique wooden desks and old ... ONCE SCHOOLHOUSE Town hall became office building Sentinel Star Photos By Larry Lipman D 07 40 EP Cent Zoo Fee they were satisfied with this year's arrangements after being assured by Layer that field trips to the zoo would remain popular despite the 75-cent charge. Zoo officials hope, Layer told the board, arrangements can be worked out next year for school subsidized environmental center at the zoo, which would again allow free admission for students. Last year, the Seminole County School Board donated two water tanks to the zoo in return for one year's free admission for county children. School Board Chairman Robert G. Feather asked if there were any other spare supplies that could be donated to the zoo this year, to which Layer replied, "We've got plenty of surplus stuff, but nothing they need."