Mansfield Center Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Mansfield Center Historic District
|
|
The Mansfield General Store
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Storrs Rd., Mansfield, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 200 acres (81 ha) |
| Built | c. 1694, 1740 and 1836 |
| Architect | Fitch, Edwin; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial; Greek Revival; Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001337 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1972 |
The Mansfield Center Historic District is a special area in Mansfield, Connecticut. It shows what an old village looked like a long time ago. People first settled here around 1692, making it one of the oldest places in Tolland County. This district still feels like it did in the 1700s. It runs along Storrs Street (Route 195) and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Contents
Exploring Mansfield Center's History
The area that is now Mansfield was first settled around 1692. Back then, Storrs Street was created, and 21 big plots of land were set aside for houses. This early planning helped shape the village we see today.
Oldest Buildings in the District
Two buildings from the very early days of settlement are still standing. One is the Old Uncle Hall Place, built around 1694. It has been changed a lot over the years. The other is the Eleazer Williams House, built in 1710. This house is a good example of Georgian style architecture from that time. It was originally a parsonage, which means a house for a church minister.
A Village Frozen in Time
Mansfield Center was mostly untouched by big factories or mills. This meant it didn't grow into a busy industrial town like some other places. Even when the University of Connecticut was built nearby in Storrs, Mansfield Center kept its quiet, old-fashioned feel. Because of this, you can still see many homes and buildings from the 1700s and 1800s.
Key Buildings and Structures
The historic district follows Storrs Street, stretching between Chafeeville Road and Centre Street. It's like a long line of history!
Notable Architecture and Landmarks
One of the most impressive homes is the Fitch Mansion, built in 1836. It's a beautiful example of Greek Revival style, designed by Colonel Edwin Fitch.
The First Church of Christ, a Congregational church, is another important building. The current church was built in 1866 after the previous one burned down. It's the third church to stand on that spot.
The town library is a brick building from 1923. It's built in the Georgian Revival style and stands where an old school used to be.
The Historic General Store
At the corner of Storrs and Centre Streets, you'll find the general store, built in 1886. This store is special because it's one of the few 19th-century general stores still left in Connecticut.
The Old Animal Pound
There's also an old stone enclosure from the early 1800s. It's called an animal pound, and it was used to hold stray animals. Today, it's on private property.
