The Center School was originally planned to house both an educational facility for young children and a community center for the residents of Greenbelt and it served both purposes well. Its thirteen classrooms were doubly used for community activities at night. Many hobbies and interests were represented by clubs and organizations. Music, health, homemaking, and arts and craft had their own rooms, while religious services, dances, town fairs, and political meetings were held in larger rooms, such as the gymnasium. The auditorium and gymnasium was, in fact, the meeting place for the Citizen's Association and many other local organizations. The Center mostly served as a Community Church on Sundays, while as a recreational facility during the week.
Many original residents of Greenbelt have fond memories of the activities in which they participated in the Community Center. Cassie Mae Stone, who lived in Greenbelt during her childhood and teenage years, remembers walking to Scout meetings, band practices, music lessons and dance lessons. She recalls that there was always something going on for people to do. Ed Trumbule remembers going to services as part of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, which met in the Center School. They paid a sum of $2.00 each week to cover the janitor's services. Greenbelt had the first Recreation Department in the whole area with paid recreation directors. Although girls did not participate in athletics then, the gymnasium housed girls' basketball and gymnastics. For boys, there were athletic activities all year round.
A common theme that I found while reading through oral histories is that everybody remembers that there were just so many activities and anybody who wanted to participate in any activity always went to the Center School for everything. Essentially, any interest turned into a club or organization. Throughout the whole city, there were different groups who help people from all walks of life. The numerous organizations, committees, and groups of people made a tremendous impact on the residents, who all seem to agree upon the concept of cooperation as a driving force behind the community of Greenbelt. The sense of closeness and family atmosphere remains in their memories long after they move away.