Longwood’s Historic District encompasses roughly 190 acres and has 37 contributing structures. It became part of the National Register of Historic Places in October 1990. The District, the heart and soul of the city, is well hidden near the intersection of State Road 434 and County Road 427.

Describing this area as “quaint” would be a major understatement. In addition to the Longwood Hotel, the Historic District boasts a handful of historic structures, including the 1873 Inside Outside House (now home to a small business called Culinary Cottage), the 1879 Christ Episcopal Church, and the 1885 Bradlee-McIntyre House, a former winter cottage and a fine example of Queen Anne-style architecture.

In some cases, building materials were imported. In other cases, railroads and coastal schooners carried prefabricated houses to Florida. The 1872 Inside-Outside House, now part of Longwood’s downtown historic district, took its name from its unique construction that features support studs on the outside. The prefabricated house was built in New England by a former sailing captain and is believed to have been patterned after 19th-century whaling ships, the cabins of which had the same style of construction. It was dismantled and shipped in 1873 by schooner to Florida where it was hauled inland to join a cluster of winter cottages at Snow Station.

However, time has taken its toll on this beloved landmark, with the roof now showing signs of wear and tear. Its aging structure requires urgent attention, as leaks have begun to mar the interior, threatening the preservation of priceless artifacts and memories housed within. A new roof is not just a necessity for structural integrity but also a vital step in safeguarding the heritage and legacy of the Inside-Outside House for generations to come.

Proudly Sponsored by Nan and Pop’s Ice Cream Shop in Longwood.

Longwood Historic Society

By Be the Change Today

Longwood Historic Society

For the Inside-Outside House