Alabama Governor's Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Governor's Mansion
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 Location in Montgomery, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1142 S. Perry St., Montgomery, Alabama |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architect | Weatherly Carter |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000172 |
| Added to NRHP | July 3, 1972 |
The Alabama Governor's Mansion is the official home for the governor of Alabama and their family. It is located in Montgomery, which is the capital city of Alabama. The current Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, lives in this mansion.
The state of Alabama got its first official governor's home in 1911. However, the current mansion became the official residence in 1950. This beautiful home was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 1972. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
Contents
Alabama's First Governor's Home
When Governors Lived Elsewhere
Before 1911, governors in Alabama did not have an official home. They lived in their own private houses or stayed in hotels during their time in office.
The First Official Mansion
The first official home for Alabama's governor was bought in 1911. It was built in 1906 by a person named Moses Sabel. This house was a brownstone, which is a type of building made from brown sandstone. It was designed in the Beaux Arts style. You could find it on the corner of South Perry and South Streets in Montgomery.
The state bought this house to be the governor's home. A special group, set up by the Alabama Legislature, was in charge of finding or building a residence. The former Sabel home cost the state $46,500.
Who Lived There?
Governor Emmet O'Neal was the first governor to live in this mansion. Governor Jim Folsom was the last governor to live there.
What Happened to the First Mansion?
In 1950, the state moved the official governor's home to a new location. The old mansion was then used as state offices. It housed the Adjutant General and the Military Department. In May 1959, the property was sold to Montgomery Academy, a private school. Sadly, the building was later torn down in 1963. This happened to make way for the construction of Interstate 85.
The Current Governor's Mansion
A New Home for the Governor
The current official home for the governor took the place of the first mansion in 1950. This grand house was built in 1907. It was designed by an architect named Weatherly Carter. The style of the house is called Classical Revival or Neoclassical. It was originally built for Robert Fulwood Ligon, Jr.
The state bought this house for $100,000. They spent an extra $130,000 to fix it up and furnish it. Governor Gordon Persons and his family were the first to live in this home. They moved in on January 15, 1951, which was the day he became governor.
Outside the Mansion
The outside of the mansion has some very special features. There is a large front porch called a portico. It has tall columns in the Corinthian composite style. On the second floor, there are beautiful wrought iron balconies. To one side, there is a covered entrance for cars called a porte-cochère. It has columns in the Ionic style.
Inside the Mansion
Inside, the mansion has 17 main rooms. There is a grand double staircase in the entrance hall. This staircase leads up to the second floor.
The Mansion Grounds
The property around the mansion is also very impressive. It used to have a formal garden that covered the entire back area. Today, the grounds have beautiful gardens and a large pergola. There is also a swimming pool shaped like the state of Alabama! You can find a guest house, a stone grotto water feature, and tennis courts here too. A wrought iron fence surrounds the entire property. There are also octagonal guard houses at the main gates.
Opening to Visitors
In 2003, Patsy Riley, who was the wife of Governor Bob Riley, helped to renovate the mansion. She also worked to reopen it for tourists. The mansion had been closed to visitors for almost ten years. Patsy Riley and her group, "First Lady and Friends of the Mansion," raised money from private donations. This meant no taxpayer money was used for the project.
