A New Chapter for Mansfield's Old Fire Hall
Community volunteers give a familiar building new purpose as a gathering place for all
photo / EllicottvilleNOW
For decades, the old Mansfield Fire Hall served as a place dedicated to helping the community. Today, that same building is continuing its tradition of bringing people together, just in a different way.
Now known as the Mansfield Community Center, the former fire hall has been given new life thanks to a small group of volunteers who saw an opportunity to preserve a piece of local history while creating a welcoming space for residents to gather, celebrate and connect.
According to Mansfield Community Center Board Secretary Lynn Telaak, the building's history actually goes back further than its days as a fire hall. Originally a gas station and garage, the property was home to Ed Dubke and his wife. Dubke was instrumental in establishing the Mansfield Fire Company in 1962, and later on pushed for the addition of a fire truck bay to the building. For years, the fire company served the surrounding community with support from the Town of Mansfield. But like many small volunteer fire departments, maintaining enough properly trained volunteers eventually became a challenge.
When the fire company could no longer continue operating, those involved wanted to make sure the building would remain useful to the community. Rather than see it sit unused, former fire company members approached several residents about establishing a board to oversee the property and help it move forward as a community center. Among those involved were the other board members, Jan Benson and Archie Toth, who has been helping with improvements to the building and efforts to encourage more activity there.
The transition had been in the works for approximately three years before the fire company officially turned the building over to the new board on January 1, 2026. Since then, volunteers have been busy freshening up the property. Improvements have included painting the exterior and interior, repairing the roof, addressing plumbing issues, and completing other cosmetic updates.
While the building had already been available for gatherings for several years, the new board hopes to make more residents aware of what it has to offer. In fact, one of the center's longstanding activities is a monthly social gathering held on the third Tuesday of each month from 2:00-4:00pm. The get-togethers are particularly geared toward residents who may not have many opportunities to get out, socialize, and spend time with others.
The board has also been experimenting with additional activities. Earlier this year, the center hosted a community yard sale. Unfortunately, poor weather kept attendance low, something Telaak believes was also influenced by the fact that many residents still don't realize the building is available for public use.
Over the summer, Telaak introduced another community-minded project: a free vegetable pantry. An easel sign outside the building directed residents to a set of bins placed under cover near the entrance, where anyone could drop off extra garden produce or help themselves to fresh vegetables. The idea was simple: share what you have, take what you need, and according to Telaak, it worked remarkably well. "The only thing I had to discard at the end of the season were two jalapeño peppers!" she said.
The center has also been opening its doors for seasonal activities, including last weekend's Pumpkin Painting Party, held Sunday, October 25. The free Halloween-themed gathering invited children and families to spend the afternoon painting pumpkins and enjoying refreshments, another opportunity to introduce residents to the space.
Photo / Charlene Basher
Looking ahead, the board hopes to continue building on those efforts. Telaak said they'd like to host another pumpkin painting event next fall and are considering an Easter-themed activity in the spring. There's also interest in seeing the property used for other community events, particularly those organized by local residents and groups. "We would like to make it available if people wanted to organize a farmers market or crafters market," Telaak said. "We would be very happy to host it!”
And the possibilities aren't limited to public events. The Mansfield Community Center is available for family reunions, birthday parties, receptions, educational groups, and other private gatherings. Anyone can inquire about using the space, regardless of whether they live in Mansfield. Currently, there is no established rental fee. Instead, the center operates on a donation basis, making it an affordable option for individuals and organizations looking for a place to gather. Those interested in reserving the building can contact Telaak directly to discuss availability and arrangements.
For the volunteer board, the focus now is simply getting the word out. The building is there, improvements are underway, and the doors are open to anyone interested in putting the space to good use.
It's a new chapter for a building that has been part of Mansfield's history for decades - one that continues its tradition of serving the community, even without the fire trucks. For more information about the Mansfield Community Center or to reserve the facility for an upcoming event, contact Board Secretary Lynn Telaak at 716-498-0833.
