Mr.Milwee's Home
Mr. Milwee’s house was built around 1885 specially for Kate Beesley’s millinery store. Kate Beesley was a luxury hat designer who was a popular vendor in the area. In 1916, a married couple; George Edward and Hallie Lavinge bought Kate Beesley’s store and home. Slightly before moving into this residence, the couple had a daughter named Aldia Lavinge. George Edward was a vegetable farmer who was well known in the markets. Throughout the 1920s, the small manageable one-story shop was remarkably changed to add a second story and a porch for the house. George Edwards and his family used the first story as a business center and guest space while the upper story served as a luxury living area.
George Edward and Hallie Lavinge's daughter, Aldia Lavinge married Rayburn T. Milwee. The partners moved into their new residence during the 1930s and raised their children in their house. The Lavinge-Milwee family lived in the house all the way up to the 1990s.
Mr. Milwee became a famous citizen and instructor. He was voted as the county school administrator and supervised schools during clamorous days of incorporation. He assisted funding for black schools around Florida, even with furious residents. Mr. Milwee had been threatened in his office by a displeased parent who's daughter is being instructed by a black educator. In spite of this, Rayburn T. MIlwee kept at it. When Lyman Memorial School was transferred to its new location, the original school building became a middle school. The middle school was named in tribute of Mr. Milwee, it was and is known as Milwee Middle School, one of the two middle schools in Longwood.