Mansfield Historical Society

The Mansfield Historical Society is committed to preserving and promoting the history of Mansfield, Texas. 

Preserving

We maintain an extensive Archives Collection, housed in the Mansfield Historical Museum, including Photographs, Documents, Maps, Books, and Other Printed Material pertaining to the storied past of Mansfield and the surrounding area.

Our collection includes:

• Genealogical records of many of the early families who called Mansfield home
• Topical files pertaining to historical homes, businesses, churches, and schools
• Funeral and cemetery records
• Oral histories
• And much more!

Promoting

Through collaboration with the Mansfield History Museum and the Man House Museum, we seek to help create impactful and immersive experiences for all visitors.

In 2024, with help from the TCU Press, we published The Private Thoughts of a Traveling Preacher's Wife. The book is a compilation of diaries of Louisa Foster who came to Texas in childhood as part of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred". The diaries present a compelling look into her life in Texas in the mid to late 19th century. Also included are a few diaries written by Louisa's youngest son who married a daughter of Julian Feild, one of the founders of Mansfield.

Our Fundraising Wish List

Our Wish List includes a diverse variety of items and projects that we are working toward. As such, donations may be earmarked by the donor to go toward one, or more, of the items on this list. Any donations that do not specify, will be placed in our general operating fund and used in these projects as needed.

• Monument to Recognize the Desegregation of Mansfield ISD
  • Our Goal - To place a monument at or near the site of the 1924 Mansfield High School building, the location of the main conflict. This monument will recognize the importance of the events leading up to the eventual change in policy of Mansfield ISD to allow all Mansfield students to attend public schools equally. This project is in the early planning stages, and as yet a budget has not been set.
• Items for the Demonstration Cooking Kitchen
  • Our Goal - To stock the completed Cooking Kitchen with period appropriate, usable artifacts. The items we are hoping to acquire include 1860s cast iron pots and pans, 3 legged stock pots, and an open hearth rotisserie. Estimated cost: $3,000.00
• Restore / Replace Barn Siding on Man House Museum Grounds
  • Our Goal - To preserve and extend the life of the historic crib barn built in the 1860s by Ralph S. Man on his homestead property. This will be a labor and materials project that will include determining which panels can be saved and which need to be replaced, sourcing reclaimed barn siding, and working with an experienced restoration professional to maintain the integrity of the barn. Estimated cost: $12,500.00
• Acquire a 19th Century Buckboard or Wagon, and Acquire or Build Additional Outbuildings on Man House Museum Grounds
  • Our Goal - To enhance the authenticity of the experience of all museum visitors by including such buildings as a period appropriate chicken coop and yard to house live chickens, and an ever important 19th century outhouse. Estimated cost: $7,000.00
• Fire Resistant Filing Cabinet
  • Our Goal - To replace the aging and broken fire resistant filing cabinet that currently houses our Photo Archive. Estimated cost: $2,500.00