The Missouri Governor’s Mansion is a historic U.S. residence in Jefferson City, Missouri. It is located at 100 Madison Street in the Missouri State Capitol Historic District. On May 21, 1969, it was officially added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Neo-Renaissance design of the building was constructed in 1871 at $75,000 and has served as a residence for every governor since. It was renovated extensively in the 1980s during the administration of Governor Kit Bond.
Missouri Governor’s Mansion History – Jefferson City
Before relocating the state capital to Jefferson City, the first governors from St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri, lived in their private homes. Then, if needed, they rented homes in St. Charles.
The first Jefferson City governor’s mansion also housed the Missouri General Assembly. The Missouri House of Representatives meeting on the ground floor, the Missouri State Senate on the second floor, and the governor living in two rooms.
The structure was 60 by 40 feet (12m), was completed in November 1826, costing $20,000. The building was designed by Stephen Hills and was modeled after the first Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Hill later designed Academic Hall at the University of Missouri.
In 1832, Missouri’s second governor, Daniel Dunklin, refused to move into the Mansion. Construction of a new $5,000 mansion began in the autumn of 1833 and was completed in 1834. It was at the end of the same block as the original mansion. It measured 48 by 30 feet (9.1 m). The building survived the November 15, 1837 fire that destroyed the neighboring capitol in part due to wet blankets applied to the roof of the mansion.
The structure suffered a fire in the 1840s during the administration of Thomas Reynolds. In 1844, Reynolds took his own life in the Mansion. A sofa with pineapple-shaped legs belonging to him is now one of the oldest pieces of furniture in the current mansion.
Governor Robert Marcellus Stewart initiated a campaign to build a new residence. The General Assembly allocated $20,000 for a new mansion but, the American Civil War changed the plan.
In 1871, several people said they would not come to large gatherings at the mansion because they feared disaster after several fires and other macabre events. Eventually, the Assembly allocated $50,000 for a new mansion. George Ingham Barnett was the architect.
Building Features of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion
The exterior characteristics of the 66-foot-6-inch (20.27 m) square, three-story red brick building are the 13-foot (4.0 m) mansard roof and four pink granite columns.
The most striking interior feature is the Grand Stairway carved of walnut.
The first of the major renovations occurred in the 1890s under Governor David Rowland Francis. The next major renovation occurred under Lloyd C. Stark, in which $55,000 was allocated to replace the columns supporting the Grand Stairway with steel brackets. In addition, the exterior was painted white, and it was said that the Starks donated 3,000 plants from their nursery.
March and April
Closed for New Tours
May, June, and July
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
beginning at 9 a.m. last tour begins at 11:30 a.m.
August
Closed for Tours
September, October, and November
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
beginning at 9 a.m. last tour begins at 11:30 a.m.
December
Closed for Tours
Tours are approximately twenty to thirty minutes in length. In the event Jefferson City schools are closed due to weather, tours will also be closed.
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