Mansfield-et-Pontefract is a vibrant municipality nestled in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality of western Quebec, Canada. This charming community, located on the Ottawa River and northwest of Gatineau, is the most populated municipality in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality. The majority of the population and businesses are concentrated along Quebec Route 148, making it a bustling hub of activity.
Mansfield-et-Pontefract is home to the main tourist attractions of the Pontiac region. Visitors can marvel at the natural beauty of the Chutes Coulonge, explore the historical George Bryson House, and admire the architectural wonder of the Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge.
The municipality is composed of several communities, each with its unique charm. These include Davidson, Dépôt Davidson, Devonshire Park, Jim Lake, Leclair, and Mansfield.
The history of Mansfield-et-Pontefract dates back to 1849 when the Mansfield Township was formed. It was incorporated as a township municipality in 1855. The township may have been named after an English town in Nottinghamshire or in honour of Sir James Mansfield (1733-1821), Solicitor General of Canada in 1780, or William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (1705–1793).
In 1863, Pontefract Township was officially established, named after an English town in Yorkshire. On January 1, 1868, the townships were merged to form the United Township Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract. In 1888, a portion of its territory separated and was incorporated as the Village Municipality of Fort-Coulonge. In 2003, Mansfield-et-Pontefract changed its status from united township municipality to an ordinary municipality.
The municipality is a diverse and vibrant community.
The linguistic diversity of Mansfield-et-Pontefract is a testament to its multicultural heritage. As of 2021, 17.8% of the population reported English as their first language, while 77.6% reported French. Additionally, 4.1% of the population reported both English and French as their first language, and 0.5% reported other languages.
