A group of volunteers who run the Mansfield Blockhouse in South Park have plans to expand their historical preservation efforts.
During the War of 1812 a round log structure and a hand-hewn log structure were built in downtown Mansfield for the protection of early Richland County settlers. Only the hand-hewn structure remains. As part of Mansfield’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2008 the blockhouse was reconstructed in South Park on Brinkerhoff Avenue and was completed by volunteers in the summer of 2010. For the past four summers, those volunteers have opened the blockhouse for tours on weekends between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and they have held several one- or two-day educational events.
The Blockhouse Volunteers believe that the history of our area is fascinating and they want others to learn and appreciate that history, too. To that end, the volunteers plan to reconstruct a Richland County pioneer log cabin in South Park near the blockhouse. The log cabin would serve as an educational center for citizens to learn about the county’s early history. Teachers, students, scout troops, historical and genealogical groups and others could use the facility to help achieve their stated goals and missions.
To kick-off fund-raising for purchasing the log cabin, volunteers will open the blockhouse for special evening hours on Dec. 18 and Dec. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Re-enactors representing the early 1800s time period will display their equipment. Volunteers will be available to answer questions about the Richland County Pioneer Log Cabin Project and the Mansfield Blockhouse.
Donations will be accepted at the door. If you cannot attend either evening but want to contribute to this worthy cause, please send a check made out to Richland County Genealogical Society, (memo: Log Cabin Project), 611 State Route 97 West, Bellville OH 44813-8813.
For questions, please contact Sunda Peters at 419-524-0924.