The Old Lyme Grange used to hold a country fair on the school's lawn, a Maypole dance was for years an annual tradition to celebrate spring, and the school's intercom sometimes even broadcasted World Series games.

Those were some memories shared at a "Celebrate Center" event this month to mark eight decades of the Center School in Old Lyme.

With a backdrop of the stone building with green shutters on Lyme Street, students approached the podium, one by one, at the May 1 event to share the school's history and the changes they've seen over the years.

The school building first opened its doors to first- through ninth-graders in the 1930s. By the 1940s, the school also began educating high school students, with the last high school class graduating from Center School in 1957. 

Over the years, the district saw a number of changes, including the opening of the Mile Creek School as student enrollment grew; the regionalization of Old Lyme and Lyme into District 18; the realignment of elementary grades in the 1990s; and a major renovation of Center School in the 2000s. 

Next year, under the school's redistricting plan, Center School will house only preschool classes and the district's administrative offices. Fifth-graders and preschoolers currently attend the Center School.

"Thank you for joining us today to share the many changes Center School has gone through," a student told the audience. "We hope you enjoy the rest of your trip down memory lane."

Students also marked the occasion by singing "Happy Birthday" to Center School, as well as joining in to sing about their school:

"...Whether high school, elementary or just grades three through five, the classrooms of this building have seen generations thrive," they sang. "So as we celebrate another change that's taking place, while the walls may be reconfigured, this is still historic space...."

Fifth-graders ran around a maypole with blue and white ribbons, a tradition in the school's history that celebrates spring.

Kevin Cole, a former teacher and student at Center School, shared memories and humorous anecdotes.

"Even from its beginning, it was a product of the community spirit, and I know that each of us has his or her own personal connections to it," said Cole.

He covered changes over the years, beginning with its founding in the 1930's during the Great Depression and when the first Center School was "outdated, run down and overcrowded" and the town still educated students at the one-room South Lyme School.

"The building was to be a work of art and a tribute to the townspeople, citizens of various backgrounds, artists, tradesmen and women," he said. "It was to be a symbol of the community's spirit and pride."

The building, whose design was worked on by local artists and architects, changed over time with new additions and the repurposing of space, he said.

"Throughout all these changes Center School has remained a vibrant center not just for education, but for art, culture and recreation and town activities," he said.  "As is the case with any institution, organization, business, it's the people, and what occurs within those buildings that play the biggest role."

In reflecting on memories as a student at the school, Cole said the Old Lyme Grange sponsored a fair on the school's grounds. He had two recesses a day and no physical education classes. The principal sometimes broadcasted World Series Games over the loudspeaker, and there was a dentist's chair in the school nurse's office for fluoride treatments.

Center School was a place where he learned that it "was OK to take risks and be different," which has served him throughout his life, he said.

As a teacher, he said he has "thousands of memories of the joy of students helping one another, or mastering a new concept or skill, or excelling at a play or a concert."

"It was always rewarding to see a child's confidence grow as he or she matured and became more independent and capable," he said.

After the speeches and performances, children ate ice cream cones on the lawn and parents and community members chatted amongst themselves.

Inside the school, residents gathered in the school gymnasium to browse exhibits in honor of the school's past. Displays included furniture from the school's founding, posters of photographs of former students, written memories and paintings of the school by students, and Connecticut School Registers dating back to the early 1900s. Members of the community, the school community and students helped create the program and exhibits.

"I'm very happy," said Helen Traver Scott, an instructional assistant at Center School and a former student, who was greeting attendees. "My friends from kindergarten are here."

"It's a nice send-off," said Michelle Dickey, who attended the event with her daughter, Lauren Dickey, a former Center School student and 2006 graduate of Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

Lauren pointed out photos of classmates on a poster board and recalled rope courses during physical education classes and "The Wizard of Oz" school play.

"It does bring back a lot of memories," she said.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich