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 at 621 S. Marshall Ave. in Marshall, Michigan is a really old and important house. It was built way back in 1839! This historic home shows off the Greek Revival architecture style, which was popular a long time ago. It's also known as the Governor's Mansion Museum. This special house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, meaning it's officially recognized as a significant historical site. Today, the house is a museum. It is owned and run by the Mary Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a group dedicated to history and education.
Contents
Why Was the Governor's Mansion Built?
In 1839, a man named James Wright Gordon lived in Marshall. He was elected to the state senate, which is like being a lawmaker for the state. Mr. Gordon really wanted Marshall to become the capital city of Michigan. A capital city is where the government of a state or country is located.
He was so sure Marshall would be chosen that he bought land right across from where he thought the new Capitol building would be. Then, he built this big house, hoping it would become the official home for the state's governor. People even started calling it the "Governor's Mansion" right away!
Who Lived in the Mansion?
James Wright Gordon did become an important leader. He was the lieutenant governor and then even the acting governor of Michigan in 1841. However, Marshall's dream of becoming the capital didn't come true. In 1847, Lansing was chosen as the new state capital instead.
Later, Mr. Gordon was given a job working for the government in South America. He passed away there in 1853. His wife owned the house until 1882. Then, a local person named Mrs. Flory Palmer bought it. She and her daughter, Bertha Palmer Brady, lived in the house for many years.
How Did It Become a Museum?
In 1967, the family members of Bertha Palmer Brady decided to give the house away. They donated it to the local Mary Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This group then turned the house into a place for their meetings. They also opened it as a museum. Now, visitors can explore the house and learn about its interesting past!
What Does the Mansion Look Like?
The "Governor's Mansion" in Marshall is a two-story building. It's white and built in the Greek Revival style. This style often uses design ideas from ancient Greek temples. The house has a main part and a smaller addition at the back. The sides of the house have flat, overlapping boards called clapboard siding. The front of the house has smooth, horizontal planks.
At the front, there's a wide porch area called a Doric portico. It has strong, simple columns and a decorative band above them. Under this porch, you'll see two tall windows. The front door is also special, framed by flat, decorative columns called pilasters. These pilasters are carved with fancy leaf designs. A row of small, tooth-like blocks, called a dentiled cornice, runs along the top edge of the main part of the house.
See also
- Michigan Governor's Mansion
- Michigan Governor's Summer Residence
- Governor's Mansion (Shawnee, Oklahoma): similar house in the proposed capital of Oklahoma
