The Town of Mansfield hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony on January 6 to begin renovations to the Old Town Hall.  The 1842 Old Town Hall and the 1935 Town Office Building (954 Storrs Road) on Spring Hill are leased by the Town to the Mansfield Historical Society which joined with the Town in this celebration.

Mayor Toni Moran and Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth were joined by State Representative Gregg Haddad and Mansfield Historical Society Program Chair Bruce Clouette in offering remarks at the groundbreaking.

In March of 2022, Representatives Gregg Haddad and Senator Mae Flexer announced to the Town and the Mansfield Historical Society Board that the State included $834,000 in bond funds to finance major restoration to the historic buildings, based on preliminary estimates for completing priority work as identified in a conditions assessment performed in 2017.  Chief among the items being addressed, longstanding drainage issues have contributed to water damage that poses a risk to the integrity of the building as well as the collections stored in some areas. Funding from the State was a huge boost to the Town and the volunteer-run Historical Society, which performs important work of preserving historic collections.

The Town of Mansfield’s Facilities Department has worked to obtain current estimates and select contractors for the needed repairs and improvements.  The Mansfield Town Council committed additional funding of $1.004 million toward the project over and above the State funding. Renovation will begin this winter on drainage and site work, followed by crucial structural repairs and improvements to building accessibility.  Sarazin Construction is the general contractor on the project.

The Historical Society’s facility has been closed to the public for tours and visits in preparation of this work occurring, but they have continued with virtual presentations, and off-site programs and exhibits, including at the Mansfield Town Hall and Mansfield Elementary School.  In recent months the Historical Society has recruited volunteers to help them move their collections to safe spaces so renovation can begin, many of whom attended the groundbreaking ceremony.