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Dedication held for new Mansfield Depot

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For several years, Mike Roberts said he had hopes of constructing a new Mansfield Depot for the town based off the 1927 blueprints that were discovered online.

With the help of several contractors, Roberts and the volunteers started the construction of a 30’x106’ facility last fall. It was constructed bigger than the blueprints to allow the Mansfield Area Historical Society and Museum to move across the street and set up their items on display in a new, temperature controlled building.

All of the hard work and challenges with the weather led to an official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Mansfield residents and the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, May 28.

“We would just like to thank all of the contractors who were able to assist us on this,” Roberts said. “It was all local craftsmen and all local material. We just wanted to build it for an asset to the town.”

During the event, Roberts was joined by his wife Connie as he made a few remarks followed by the unveiling of a plaque paying tribute to Joseph D. Coday and Jean C. Coday.

“The tribute is for them because of all the hard work they’ve done here in Mansfield,” Roberts noted.

The official date to open the building to the public has not been set as of press time.

A representative from the Mansfield Area Historical Society and Museum said about 90-percent of the items have been moved to the new location.

She said there are a few larger items still needing to be moved.

Inside the depot is a tribute to the old depot constructed of original wood with part of the original roof that was once sitting in a storage area.

The original coal-burning stove is also on display.