Texas Governor's Mansion
Encyclopedia
The Texas Governor's Mansion, also known simply as Governor's Mansion is a historic home for the Governor of Texas
in downtown Austin, Texas
. It was built during 1854, designed by prominent architect Abner Cook
, and has been the home of every governor since 1856.
On June 8, 2006, while midway through a major renovation, the mansion was damaged badly by an arson fire started with a Molotov cocktail
.
that has been continuously occupied by a chief executive. The mansion was the first-designated Texas historic landmark, during 1962. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
as "Governor's Mansion" during 1970, and further was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark
during 1974.
in a Greek Revival style and completed during 1856, the building occupies the center of a block and is surrounded by trees and gardens. The original mansion was 6000 square feet (557.4 m²). Remodeling during 1914 increased the size of the mansion to 8920 square feet (828.7 m²). The original mansion had 11 rooms but no bathrooms. The remodeling brought the room count to 25 rooms and 7 bathrooms.
and his wife Anita Thigpen Perry
were in Europe at the time of the fire. They had relocated during October 2007 for a $10 million major deferred maintenance project that began during January 2008. The project was to include a fire suppression system. State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said the next Sunday that investigators have evidence that an arsonist targeted the 152-year-old building.
On February 2, 2011, Chief Tony Leal, an assistant director of the Texas Rangers, announced that a person of interest has been identified that is connected to an Austin-based anarchist group which has also been linked to an attack (involving Molotov cocktails) which was planned for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis during September 2008. An official close to the investigation said agents determined the fire was a criminal act "after reviewing footage from security cameras." A restoration is currently being performed, but is not expected to be done until 2012.
. An additional $3.4 million has been raised through private fund raising. The restoration area, which includes the mansion and the adjacent segment of Colorado Street, has been closed from the public with a chain-link fence and barbed wire
, and is currently monitored by state troopers
at all times.
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
in downtown Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. It was built during 1854, designed by prominent architect Abner Cook
Abner Cook
Abner Hugh Cook was a self-taught Texas architect and general contractor responsible for the design of several historic and notable buildings in Texas, particularly Austin, such as the Texas Governor's Mansion...
, and has been the home of every governor since 1856.
On June 8, 2006, while midway through a major renovation, the mansion was damaged badly by an arson fire started with a Molotov cocktail
Molotov cocktail
The Molotov cocktail, also known as the petrol bomb, gasoline bomb, Molotov bomb, fire bottle, fire bomb, or simply Molotov, is a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons...
.
History
The mansion is the oldest continuously inhabited house in Texas and fourth oldest governor's mansion in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that has been continuously occupied by a chief executive. The mansion was the first-designated Texas historic landmark, during 1962. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as "Governor's Mansion" during 1970, and further was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
during 1974.
Original Architecture
Built by Abner CookAbner Cook
Abner Hugh Cook was a self-taught Texas architect and general contractor responsible for the design of several historic and notable buildings in Texas, particularly Austin, such as the Texas Governor's Mansion...
in a Greek Revival style and completed during 1856, the building occupies the center of a block and is surrounded by trees and gardens. The original mansion was 6000 square feet (557.4 m²). Remodeling during 1914 increased the size of the mansion to 8920 square feet (828.7 m²). The original mansion had 11 rooms but no bathrooms. The remodeling brought the room count to 25 rooms and 7 bathrooms.
2008 fire
The mansion was partially destroyed by a four-alarm fire during the early morning of June 8, 2008. Current Texas Governor Rick PerryRick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
and his wife Anita Thigpen Perry
Anita Thigpen Perry
Anita Thigpen Perry is the current and longest-serving First Lady of Texas, and the wife of Governor Rick Perry. As First Lady of Texas, she has been an active advocate for nursing and other health care issues...
were in Europe at the time of the fire. They had relocated during October 2007 for a $10 million major deferred maintenance project that began during January 2008. The project was to include a fire suppression system. State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado said the next Sunday that investigators have evidence that an arsonist targeted the 152-year-old building.
On February 2, 2011, Chief Tony Leal, an assistant director of the Texas Rangers, announced that a person of interest has been identified that is connected to an Austin-based anarchist group which has also been linked to an attack (involving Molotov cocktails) which was planned for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis during September 2008. An official close to the investigation said agents determined the fire was a criminal act "after reviewing footage from security cameras." A restoration is currently being performed, but is not expected to be done until 2012.
Restoration
During May 2009, $22 million was allocated to the restoration the Governor's Mansion, $11 million of which came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. An additional $3.4 million has been raised through private fund raising. The restoration area, which includes the mansion and the adjacent segment of Colorado Street, has been closed from the public with a chain-link fence and barbed wire
Barbed wire
Barbed wire, also known as barb wire , is a type of fencing wire constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the strand. It is used to construct inexpensive fences and is used atop walls surrounding secured property...
, and is currently monitored by state troopers
Texas Highway Patrol
The Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety and has the responsibility for general police traffic supervision, traffic, and criminal law enforcement on the rural highways of Texas...
at all times.
External links
- Friends of the Texas Governor's Mansion - includes history, photos, visiting information
- Governor's Mansion, 1010 Colorado Street, Austin, Travis County, TX: 21 photos, 11 drawings, 3 data pages and supplemental material, at Historic American Building Survey