It’s been a long time coming, but Fulton’s original grammar school is ready to open its doors to the public once again. It’s been reborn.

Fulton residents are invited to attend a special open house event at the old Fulton Grammar School on Sunday, Feb. 21, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The event will highlight the massive efforts of Itawamba County residents to renovate the former school and retain it as an important part of the community.

“The preservation of the Fulton Grammar School has been a real community effort,” said Judge Sharion Aycock, who helped spearhead the original efforts to restore the building after it fell into disuse in 2000. “We’re trying to thank everybody. My goal is for everybody to come and see it.”

Originally, the building was going to be demolished after the opening of Itawamba Attendance Center in 1999. Through the efforts of dedicated individuals, however, the building was spared.

In September 2001, the school was designated as a Mississippi landmark by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, enabling those interested in preserving the building to secure grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Community Heritage Preservation Program. This money was matched through the donations, labor and services of numerous individuals, civic groups, local businesses and the city of Fulton.

Over the years, the interior of the building has been completely transformed: raised ceilings with recessed lights, refinished hardwood floors, walls coated with new paint, new carpeting, handicap entrances, two new bathrooms, central heating and air and new windows. The auditorium, in particular, has seen drastic changes throughout, most recently new curtains for the stage and two new dressing rooms backstage with organized storage for costumes and props.

According to Aycock, the front of the grammar school should also be fully landscaped in time for the open house, weather permitting.

The school has served as a home for several different local groups, including the A Way Out afterschool program and the Itawamba Agricultural High School drama department, which has used the restored auditorium to stage several major plays over the last few years.

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed by all the hard work that has gone into restoring this auditorium,” said drama department teacher Victoria Blake, who’s been a very vocal supporter of both restoring and utilizing the grammar school auditorium for community plays and functions. “This has just been a dream in the making. There are so many people to thank who have helped everything come together.”

The open house will serve as a preview event for the IAHS Indian Players’ upcoming production of “Annie,” scheduled to tak ie the stage for the first time on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and continuing through Feb. 28.

According to Aycock, it was important to time the open house to coincide with the opening of “Annie.” She said people need to realize what a difference their hard work has made in the lives of Itawamba County children, such as the more than 70 who will appear in the production.

“We would love for people to see where the money went and the changes we’ve made,” Aycock said.

Adam Armour can be reached at 862-3141, by e-mailing adam.armour@ itawamba360.com or by visiting his blog at itawamba360.com.