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 building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 1972. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
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The First Governor's Home
Before 1911, Alabama's governors lived in their own private homes or in hotels. The very first official home for the governor was bought in 1911. This house was built in 1906 by Moses Sabel. It was a brownstone building designed in the Beaux Arts style. It stood at the corner of South Perry and South Streets in Montgomery.
The state bought this house for $46,500. A special group, created by the Alabama Legislature, was in charge of finding and buying this home. Governor Emmet O'Neal was the first governor to live there. Governor Jim Folsom was the last.
In 1950, the state decided to move the official residence to a different house. The old mansion was then used as state offices until 1959. After that, it was sold to a private school called Montgomery Academy. Sadly, the building was torn down in 1963 to make way for the construction of Interstate 85.
The Current Governor's Mansion
The current official home for Alabama's governor replaced the first one in 1950. This mansion was designed by an architect named Weatherly Carter. It was built in 1907 for Robert Fulwood Ligon, Jr. The house is designed in the Classical Revival or Neoclassical style.
The state bought this grand house for $100,000. They also 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, the same day he became governor.
Outside the Mansion
The outside of the mansion has some very special features. At the front, there is a large porch with tall, fancy columns. These columns are in the Corinthian composite style. There are also beautiful wrought iron balconies on the second floor. On one side, there is a special covered entrance for cars called a porte-cochère. This entrance has Ionic columns.
Inside the Mansion
Inside, the mansion has 17 main rooms. A grand double staircase leads from the entrance hall up to the second floor.
The Mansion Grounds
The property has beautiful grounds. Originally, a formal garden covered the entire backyard. Today, the grounds include lovely gardens and a large pergola. There is also a swimming pool shaped like the state of Alabama! You can also find a guest house, a stone grotto water feature, and tennis courts. A decorative wrought iron fence surrounds the entire property. There are even octagonal guard houses at the main gates.
In 2003, Patsy Riley, who was the wife of Governor Bob Riley at the time, helped to renovate the mansion. She also worked to reopen it for tourists to visit. The mansion had been closed to visitors for almost ten years. Mrs. Riley and her group, "First Lady and Friends of the Mansion," raised money from private donations to pay for this. No taxpayer money was used for this project.
