The miller's house across the street was the birthplace of Wilbur Cross, one of Connecticut's early governors. Mansfield's first school was established in 1706. The town was divided into districts and school master went from one district to another to teach the children. Parents were required to supply wood for the stove that would heat the one-room school building. The teacher earned a small salary, taught all grades, and lived in the parents' homes.
Today there are three elementary schools, a middle school, and a regional high school in town.
UConn was established originally as a school of agriculture. In 1881 Charles and Augustus Storrs donated the land and money to build the school in a section of town known as Storrs. The school expanded over the years to become a leading university with an enrollment of more than 20,000 students presently. Mansfield has grown to approximately 18,700 people. There are very few industries here now, but there are a number of businesses, especially in the area around the university.