Governor's Mansion (Marshall, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Governor's Mansion
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 621 S. Marshall Ave., Marshall, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1839 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000939 |
| Added to NRHP | January 8, 1975 |
The Governor's Mansion in Marshall, Michigan, is a very old and important house. It was built way back in 1839. This house looks like ancient Greek buildings, a style called Greek Revival architecture. It's also known as the Governor's Mansion Museum. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special place worth protecting. Today, the house is a museum run by a group called the Mary Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Contents
History of the Governor's Mansion
Why Was It Built?
In 1839, a man named James Wright Gordon lived in Marshall. He was elected to the state senate. Mr. Gordon really wanted Marshall to become the capital city of Michigan. He bought land where he thought the Capitol building would be. Then, he built this big house, hoping it would become the official home for the state's governor. People started calling it the "Governor's Mansion" right away.
A Dream Not Realized
James Wright Gordon later became the lieutenant governor. He even served as acting governor of Michigan in 1841. However, Marshall's dream of becoming the capital did not come true. In 1847, Lansing was chosen as the new state capital instead.
New Owners and a Museum
Mr. Gordon later moved to South America for his work. He passed away there in 1853. His wife owned the house until 1882. Then, a local resident named Mrs. Flory Palmer bought it. She and her daughter, Bertha Palmer Brady, lived in the house for many years. In 1967, the Brady family gave the property to the Mary Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This group turned the house into their meeting place and a museum.
What the Governor's Mansion Looks Like
The "Governor's Mansion" in Marshall is a two-story house. It is painted white and built in the Greek Revival style. This means it has features inspired by ancient Greek temples. The front of the house has a large porch with tall, round columns. This type of porch is called a Doric portico. Above the columns, there's a decorative band called an entablature.
Under the porch, you'll see two tall windows. The front door is also special, with decorative columns on either side. A fancy trim, called a dentiled cornice, runs along the top of the main part of the house. There is also a smaller addition at the back of the house.
See Also
