The Henry County Bar Association invites the community to celebrate the 180th birthday of one of Mount Pleasant’s most notable historical figures during next weekend’s Farmhouse Central Vintage Market in downtown Mount Pleasant.
The celebration honoring Arabella Babb Mansfield, commonly known as Belle Babb Mansfield, will take place Saturday, May 23rd, at Central Park.
The event will feature live music by Maybelle Lou from 1 to 3 p.m., along with birthday cake and an opportunity for community members to reflect on Mansfield’s lasting impact on both Mount Pleasant and American history.
Mansfield made history in 1869 when she became the first certified female attorney in the United States after successfully passing the Iowa bar exam. That exam was administered inside the historic Union Block building overlooking Central Park, a landmark that remains part of downtown Mount Pleasant today. A statue on the central campus also honors Mansfield’s groundbreaking achievement and legacy.
The Farmhouse Central Vintage Market will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include shopping, entertainment, and activities throughout the day in Central Park.
The birthday celebration is sponsored by the Henry County Bar Association.
