What is the Mansfield Historical Society all about? We’re glad you asked!
We are an all-volunteer group of business owners, retirees, and enthusiastic local residents who all have one thing in common: a passion for sharing Mansfield’s history for and with the community. We are responsible for collecting photographs, magazine/newspaper clippings, and similar articles. We take these items and archive them to preserve Mansfield’s past and educate future generations.
The primary purpose of the Mansfield Historical Society, Inc. is the collection, preservation, storage, and public display of photographs and documents relating to the history of the City of Mansfield, Texas and its surrounding areas; the completion of historical surveys in the Mansfield area; the preservation of historical structures, monuments, gravesites, and other places accessible to the general public; and the collection of histories of families in the Mansfield area.
We seek to collect printed material such as histories, genealogies, biographies, descriptions, directories, newspapers, pamphlets, catalogues, circulars, handbills, programs, and posters; manuscript material such as letters, diaries, journals, memoranda, reminiscences, rosters, service records, account books, charts, and surveys; and preserve materials such as pictures and photographs which are illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities of the past or present.
The audience served by the Historical Society’s programs includes residents, students and visitors to the community, businesses and governmental agencies in the area, members of the Society, scholars of the history and pre-history of the community, and the general public.
During the 1970’s a group of people passionate about history began meeting but never formally organized and later disbanded. In 1980, Beryl Steele Gibson reorganized and the group began meeting at different locations. In 1984, the group moved into the historic McKnight building that was built in 1895. The Mansfield Historical Society was incorporated as a nonprofit organization on September 14, 1985.
Three rooms on the mezzanine floor, that were the offices of Dr. William McKnight, now serve as the offices of the society. The rooms were remodeled in 1990 and now contain an archive of family, business, church, fraternal, and school histories, along with maps, photographs, cemetery records, The News Mirror newspapers, and high school yearbooks for five high schools.
In 1986, James McKnight, son of Dr. McKnight, willed his building to the City of Mansfield with a stipulation that the Mansfield Historical Society have a 99-year lease on the mezzanine level of the building for the society’s office.
It was from a generous donation from Best Maid Products in 1997 that the Historical Society was able to purchase the building from the city and start restoration for the museum. Pickles and mayonnaise were made in Mansfield in 1924 by Mildred Dalton. Mildred’s son, Gary Dalton, has been the mayor of Mansfield twice. The Dalton family still owns and operates the business at their Fort Worth office, and pickle vats are operated in Mansfield.
In May 2002, the first floor of the new museum opened with a comprehensive history and photos of the founding of Mansfield and the businesses in the McKnight building. In April 2006, the second floor was restored and opened as “Early Living in Mansfield”. One area was set aside for the railroad that was built in 1885. Another area was set aside for an early dry goods store. The Salt Creek Massacre story was researched and told with a wagon built similar to the one Julian Feild and Ralph Man used to haul grain and flour from the gristmill. Shipments went to San Antonio, Louisiana, the forts west of Fort Worth, and to the Confederate Army during the war. Military uniforms donated by local men and women are also on display. MISD second graders toured the museum every year. Special exhibits were held such as the quilt show, tool show, military artifacts, and the Red Ball Explosion.
In 2018, the city adjusted its allocation of city hotel/motel taxes. As a result, the Mansfield Historical Society relinquished operation of the museum to the City of Mansfield, which continues to operate the museum exhibits. The Historical Society nevertheless remains active, with a large membership, engaged Board, and Advisory Directors. The mission continues to be the collection and preservation of local history for future generations and public research.
To our wonderful volunteers, past and present: Your efforts do not go unnoticed. To the charter members who were early champions of establishing a historical society to the current members who work tirelessly to upkeep Mansfield’s history, everyone plays a vital role. We humbly thank you for everything you have done and will do to preserve Mansfield’s history and educate future generations.
The photos on this page, and throughout the site, are for educational purposes only. If you wish to use a photo in your personal or commercial project, you must get a release in writing from the Mansfield Historical Society prior to use. Failure to obtain a release prior to use is unauthorized and can result in prosecution.
Please contact us to discuss your project and how we can be of service.