Historic Preservation

The Mansfield City Council and the Historic Landmark Commission are committed to the preservation of Mansfield’s heritage, that of the rural community it once was and the modern city that it has become. The Mansfield Historic Preservation Program encourages the protection of the historic buildings and spaces that tell our story.

The Historic Landmark Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on the designation of historic sites or districts in Mansfield. The commission also acts and assists the council in formulating design guidelines and other supplemental materials relevant to the historic preservation or design review.

WHAT MAKES A PROPERTY HISTORIC?

Historic properties have a special character, historical or cultural interest and represent a period or style of architecture typical of the different eras in Mansfield’s history.

To be considered historic, a property must be at least 50 years old. But it is not just age that matters. The property must also retain its historic physical integrity. In the case of a building, character-defining features relative to its significance must still be present.

Finally, the property must have historic significance. Significance may be through association with individuals or events that shaped Mansfield’s history or through buildings or structures that embody distinctive historical architectural elements.

Historic Landmark Commission Updates Design Guidelines

The City Council approved the Design Guidelines for Historic Mansfield on January 23, 2023. The guidelines are the work of the Historic Landmark Commission and serve as a reference for repairs and restoration of commercial and non-residential historic landmarks. A copy of the updated guidelines can be read here.

The Commission began work on the draft in December 2021. The updated guidelines replace the Design Guidelines for Downtown Mansfield, adopted in 1991.

MAN HOUSE RESTORATION COMPLETED

The restoration is complete and the Man House Museum opened on December 12, 2020. The Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10AM to 4PM. If you aren't able to visit in person right now, this 360- tour shows some of the Museum's collection. There's a lot more to see at the Museum, so plan a visit.

Begun in 1865, the R.S. Man House, built by Mansfield co-founder Ralph Man, is located just west of Historic Downtown Mansfield on Broad Street. The Man House Museum provides visitors with a glimpse of what life was like in Mansfield in the late 1800s.

The current project included the restoration of the house and barn, also built in 1865. Future work will include the construction of an information center and an outdoor amphitheater, as well as the addition of some smaller historical structures. The information center will be completed in 2021.

THIS IS US: A Mansfield History Project

Historic preservation is more than just the places and events important to the City’s past. It’s also about the experiences of the people who live here. We want to know YOUR stories about life in Mansfield. Tell us about your experiences growing up, going to school, working or simply living here. Write your story and submit it in one of the following ways:

1. Drop your story off in person at the Planning Department at City Hall, the Mansfield Public Library or the Mansfield Historical Museum.*

2. Send your story by mail or e-mail your story to the Historic Preservation Officer or Mansfield Historical Museum and Heritage Center.*

3. Submit your story online through the City's website.

*For in-person, mail or emailed stories, please include the "This Is Us" submittal form.