Head to museums and historical attractions steeped in Mansfield’s rich heritage for a time traveler’s journey through the decades.
Learn & Grow
At the Mansfield Fire Museum, hear an antique fire bell that dates to the bucket brigade and horse-drawn equipment. North Central Ohio Industrial Museum is home to a wealth of artifacts tracing Mansfield’s manufacturing heritage. Walk through Bible stories at BibleWalk, where life-sized wax figures depict authentic scenes in the Old and New Testaments. The connected Museum of Woodcarving has a life-sized carving of “The Last Supper.”
Retrace & Reflect
Travel back to 1847 through original artifacts in Oak Hill Cottage. This meticulously preserved Gothic revival landmark was the inspiration for The Green Bay Tree by author Louis Bromfield. The Historic Ohio State Reformatory is another American Gothic beauty, opened as a prison in 1896. Tour the cells, warden’s office and other iconic settings from The Shawshank Redemption. Discover more about your place in history at the Ohio Genealogical Society, the largest state genealogy collection in the U.S. Thanks to the RichHistory Alliance, a partnership of historical sites and museums, Richland County history will be preserved for years to come.
History Comes Alive
Celebrate the past at events and festivals. Woodworkers, weavers and more demonstrate their craftsmanship at Ohio Heritage Days at Malabar Farm State Park. At the Civil War Show, see the 73rd OVI Regimental Band and Camp Chase Fife and Drum Corps perform. The Prairie Peddler Festival offers more than 200 craft vendors with live entertainment and kids’ activities in a charming, wooded setting. Head to South Park where The Blockhouse, built during the War of 1812, is the backdrop for historical and summer activities.
By Jamie Rhein