The Museum of Us
I always tell people that even after 25 years of researching and studying the people and communities of our area, I still learn something new about it every day.
Until modern times the post offices in rural areas were in the business or home of the postmaster. That being the case, there are probably few buildings in the downtown that have not housed the post office at one time or another. In updating our web page on
Mansfield's postmasters, I realized that two of the postmasters were doing business in our museum building at the time they were serving in that position.
From August 15 to October 14 of 1855, Isaac M. Ruckman was postmaster. He was also the editor/publisher of Mansfield's first newspaper, "The Banner", later "The Express." It was printed in the basement of the Methodist Church." That is what our building was originally, and since there is nothing we would call a basement, we determine that it is our first floor where our kitchen/conference room is as well as our blue and gold room exhibit. We have no confirmation that this also briefly held the post office, but it is possible given the practices of the time.
Once the Methodists built the brick church and moved up the hill, Melvin Clark and his wife, Sarah Beach, moved their family into the building and used the upper part as a furniture store. During that period, 1877-1886, Melvin was postmaster. It is likely that the post office was included in the furniture store on the second floor of what is now our museum building.
Please consider contributing to support our work preserving Mansfield's stories.
Checks can be mailed to:
The History Center on Main Street
83 North Main Street, Mansfield PA 16933
Or you can donate via PayPal or Credit Card from the button below
We are a 501c3 corporation, so donations are tax deductible and we will send you a receipt.
