Preservation in 2021-2022

Left, The Commission’s outreach table at Kids Day during Arts Week. Top center, Dr. Robert Smith, HLC Chair, presents a certificate to Pastor Michael Evans designating the Mansfield Community Cemetery as an Officially Recognized Historic Resource.

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC MANSFIELD The Commission began revising the Design Guidelines for Downtown Mansfield. The current guidelines were adopted in 1991 and there have been many changes over the last 31 years. The current guidelines do not take new preservation techniques into account. This leads to discrepancies between the guidelines and the desired outcomes for preservation projects. The Commission anticipates that the revisions will be completed by year’s end.

DOWNTOWNTX.ORG In cooperation with the Downtown Coordinator, staff and volunteers have been providing data to DowntownTX. org, an online building inventory for Texas downtowns featuring historic property listings. The program, sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission, attracts communityminded entrepreneurs and investors who value historic architecture and appreciate the special qualities of historic places. The program also serves as a complete inventory with historic building information, history lovers and old building enthusiasts are welcome just to browse as well.

YOUTH OUTREACH The Commission released the Mansfield History Hunters children’s activity booklet at Kids Day during Arts Week. The booklet is designed to introduce youth to the City’s heritage and culture through activities like coloring and word puzzles and fun facts about historic Mansfield.

RECOGNIZED PROPERTIES The Commission designated 13 new properties in the historic downtown as Officially Recognized Historic Resources. The Commission honored the owners of the properties at Historic Recognition Day on May 14, 2022.