Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

Historical Perspective

By AMANDA ROGERS

News-Mirror Writer

Mansfield’s history dates back almost two centuries. Jessica Davis’ roots in the community run almost as far.

The town was incorporated in 1890, but there are reports of settlers here as far back as the 1820s.

The first full-time curator of the Mansfield Historical Museum and Heritage Center can trace her family’s arrival in the area back to the 1850s, with her great-great-great-great-grandfather Josiah Dixon Perry. A photo of his son, her great-great-great-grandfather Napoleon Bonaparte Perry, hangs on the wall in the first floor of the museum.

Her great-grandparents owned a furniture store on Main Street, and her grandfather and her mother all graduated from Mansfield High, as did Davis, 24.

Despite her history in Mansfield, Davis didn’t intend to stay.

“I wanted to get out of here,” she said. “I was part of one of those families where everybody knew you. I just wanted to get away.

“After I graduated, I just wanted to come home,” she said.

After getting her bachelor’s degree in history from Austin College and her master’s degree in American studies from the University of Dallas, Davis came home.

She had done an internship with the Red River Historical Museum in Sherman and fallen in love with museums.

Her grandmother encouraged her to volunteer at the Mansfield museum. Davis was soon working part-time, and in October became the museum’s first full-time employee.

Kathryn Howard, president of the Mansfield Historical Society, said they feel lucky to have her.

“We feel like she was a godsend from heaven,” Howard said.

Manned by a dedicated group of volunteers, the museum opened in the McKnight building in 2002. The second floor opened in 2006. Keeping up with a growing population and scanning and archiving obituaries, photos, deeds and papers became overwhelming.

“Working five hours a week each, we weren’t getting very far,” Howard said.

Even so, hiring a curator would have been impossible without the city’s contribution from the hotel/motel tax, Howard said.

“We would not have a full-time or even a part-time person if not for that,” Howard said.

Now, the museum has been able to expand its hours, open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

For Davis, there are still challenges.

“Just getting across to the newest residents the importance of knowing Mansfield’s history even if you aren’t from here (is difficult),” she said. “You’re living here. Your children are growing up here. The history of Mansfield shapes present day Mansfield. It would help with a lot of conflicts if everybody sat down and tried to understand.”

The museum has a lot to offer, and she wants to share that with residents, Davis said.

“I want people to know they don’t have to go to Fort Worth to look up their family,” she said. “If your family stopped off in Mansfield, we probably have them.”

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, a lot of the town’s history has been documented, making the museum a good resource for genealogists. She also wants to get more involved with schools, find room for more exhibits and put all the historical photos and information on the database.

All of that should keep Davis and the volunteers busy for years to come. Most of the volunteers have known Davis’ family since long before she was born, which presents a unique challenge.

“The first job I get everybody has known me since I was in diapers,” Davis said with a smile.

---

reprint or license Print E-Mail