MANSFIELD — Plans are forming for the construction of a log cabin near South Park’s historic Blockhouse.
Tom Pappas with Richland Early American Center for History explained the details of this project to Mansfield City Council on Tuesday night.
He said the group hopes to create a “small village” at South Park, which would feature three log cabins, in addition to the Blockhouse. Re-enactors would portray what life was like during the early 1800s with cooking demonstrations, lectures and so on.
“We’d like to have an educational center for grade schools, high schools, any local citizens that would be interested in coming down and learning something about Richland County history and national history,” Pappas said.
In September, REACH partnered with Purdy Construction workers to dismantle a pre-Civil War house in Mifflin.
Mansfield City Council approved legislation Tuesday that grants a license to REACH to reconstruct this house in South Park.
Pappas said the reconstruction comes at no cost to the city, adding that the group plans on applying for some grants to help with expenses.
The single-story cabin will be large enough to accommodate 15-20 people and it will be handicap accessible, he said.
Mark Abrams, parks department manager, praised REACH for this project, calling it “very worthwhile.”
“History for us is a passion,” Pappas said. “That’s why we’re doing it. “
