Plant City commissioners have approved work to begin restorating the historic 1914 High School Community Center, a more than century-old landmark that now serves as a community center and museum.
The project will use a grant from Hillsborough County, along with funding from the city’s community redevelopment agency.
City leaders said the preservation work is expected to cost nearly $2 million and will take about 18 months to complete.
The building was constructed in 1914 with help from the community and was a high school, then later became Tomlin Jr. High. Over time, it became a gathering place for civic meetings, festival activities and other community events.
“So when the city commission were calling a meeting, it was going to be held here. When they had the festival activities, they were started here. That was the focal point of the city,” said Gilbert Gott, director emeritus of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.