Historical society celebrates Mansfield with new merchandise

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

Looking for something that just says Mansfield? Turns out, so are a lot of people.

The Mansfield Historical Society has stepped in to fill the void.

“We would get a lot of visitors that were looking for Mansfield-specific merchandise,” said Jessica Baber, manager for the Mansfield Historical Museum and Heritage Center. “There’s not many places that sell Mansfield souvenirs.”

The historical society has sold custom ornaments of Mansfield historical sites, like the Kow Bell Rodeo, Farr Best Theater, railroad trestle bridge, original Mansfield High School and Man House, along with throw blankets that also featured historical sites and scenes. The dozen ornaments have been a long-time favorite for museum visitors.

The society decided to expand its merchandise this summer, reaching out to even more residents and visitors that want to take a piece of Mansfield history home.

“I think they wanted more variety of items that would appeal to a broad range of people,” Baber said.

The Mansfield Historical Society has set up a store in the museum, 102 N. Main St., featuring Mansfield, Texas baseball caps, magnets with the skyline of downtown, key chains, walnut coasters, dish towels and a redesigned throw blanket (the last blanket sold out). All items are labeled Mansfield, Texas, and/or have scenes from the community.

The society also has a nice section of books focused on local history, including “Black Like Me,” written by Mansfield resident John Howard Griffin; “The Private Thoughts of a Traveling Preacher’s Wife,” a handwritten diary of a Texas pioneer that was donated to the historical society; “Wiley Finds a Dinosaur,” a children’s book written by a local man and his son about finding a rare dinosaur in Mansfield; “Desegregating Texas Schools: Eisenhower, Shivers, and the Crisis at Mansfield High,” a thesis about the desegregation crisis at Mansfield High School in the 1950s; “The History of Mansfield, Texas,” a massive volume covering the city’s history from founding through 1965; “Melvina Louisa Foster’s Cookbook,” a book of recipes from the 1800s pioneer; and “A Taste of Old Mansfield,” a cookbook compilation from long-time Mansfield residents.

The historical society has a plan for the funds raised from all the new Mansfield items.

“We’re selling merchandise to help fund things that we do in Mansfield,” said Tom Leach, president of the Mansfield Historical Society. “We are raising funds for the chimney in the cooking cabin at the Man House Museum, monuments and custom markers. We also help buy artifacts for the Man House Museum.”

Leach said the new items have been well received.

“Mansfield is lacking places you can buy things that say ‘Mansfield,’” he said. “We have a hat that says ‘Mansfield, Texas.’ No one else has that. We helped publish the Foster diaries. There’s a lot of things that it helps fund.”

Historical society members are active, Leach said.

“I’m excited that we have so much going on – the merchandise, the new website, new books that we have published,” he said. “It excites me that we are progressive. We are constantly moving forward and looking for things to do.”

The historical society’s new merchandise is listed for purchase on its new website, https://mansfieldtxhistoricalsociety.org/, or visitors can shop at the museum.

Baber said the new merchandise adds to the museum.

“It’s nice to be able to offer people a way to take home and read about the history of Mansfield,” she said. “It’s an extension of the museum experience. The merchandise can remind them of their visit. With a book they take home and read, they can keep learning.”