Indiana Governor's Residence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor's Residence of Indiana |
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Indiana Governor's Residence in 2022
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| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Architectural style | English Tudor |
| Location | 4750 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Construction started | 1928 |
| Governing body | Governor's Residence Commission |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 10,500 sq ft (980 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Rubush & Hunter |
The Indiana Governor's Residence is the official home for the family of Indiana's governor. It is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. This house has been used since 1973. It is the sixth official home for Indiana's governors. The current governor living there is Mike Braun.
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The Governor's Home in Indianapolis
The Indiana Governor's Residence is found in a historic area of Indianapolis. This area is around North Meridian Street. The home sits on a large property of about 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares). Its address is 4750 North Meridian Street.
Building the Current Governor's Residence
The house was built in 1928 for a person named Scott Wadley. The architects who designed it were from the company Rubush & Hunter. It was built in the English Tudor style, which looks like old English country homes.
The state of Indiana bought the house in 1973. They bought it from an attorney named C. Severin Buschman for $242,000. After buying it, the state spent about $800,000 to fix it up. A grant from the Lilly Endowment helped pay for some of these repairs. The updates included adding air conditioning and new electrical wiring.
Inside the Governor's Residence
The house is about 10,500 square feet (975 square meters) in size. It has twenty-three rooms and eleven bathrooms. This is a typical size for an English Tudor home. It looks similar to many other houses built in the neighborhood during the same time.
Even though it looks like other homes, it is special inside. Its main support and foundation are made of concrete. Most Tudor homes are built entirely from wood.
The first floor of the home is open to the public. People can take tours regularly. You can see rooms like the main entrance (foyer), a library, the formal living room, and both formal and informal dining rooms. There is also a sun porch, a kitchen, a butler's pantry, and space for events. The second floor is where the governor's family lives. This area is private and not open to the public. About 10,000 visitors come to the home each year.
Past Homes for Indiana's Governors
Indiana has had several official homes for its governors over the years. Some governors also lived in unofficial homes when an official one was not available.
Homes Before Indiana Became a State
Before Indiana became a state, it was a territory. The Indiana Territory had two governors. The first governor, William Henry Harrison, built a large home called Grouseland in Vincennes. He named it "Grouseland" because of the many birds there. Built in 1804, it was one of the first brick buildings in the territory. This home is still standing today and is a National Historic Landmark.
The territory's second governor, Thomas Posey, had a house built in Corydon. However, he only lived there for a short time. He later moved to Jeffersonville and rented a room. The Posey House is now part of a historic district.
First State Governor's Residence in Corydon
Indiana's first official state governor's residence was in Corydon. Governor Jonathan Jennings and his wife Anne lived there from 1816 to 1822. This home was on a small hill overlooking the first statehouse. Important visitors like U.S. Presidents Andrew Jackson and James Monroe visited this house. The original building is no longer there. A new home stands on its old foundation, using the original cellar.
Governor William Hendricks also lived in Corydon. He lived in an unofficial home called "Governor Hendricks Headquarters." He bought this house from Davis Floyd. Floyd had built the home for himself but lost it after a financial crisis in 1819. Hendricks lived there from 1822 to 1825.
The Second Official Residence in Indianapolis
The second official home for the state's governor was built in the center of Indianapolis. Today, the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument stands in its place. Alexander Ralston, who designed much of Indianapolis, also designed this mansion. It cost $6,500 and was finished in 1827.
However, Governor James B. Ray's wife refused to live in the house. She felt it lacked privacy. Because of this, no governor ever lived there. Instead, Indiana's Chief Justice Isaac Blackford lived in it from about 1830 to the 1850s. The mansion was torn down in the 1870s.
Other Homes for Governors
Since there was no suitable home, the state bought another house in 1837. This house belonged to Dr. John H. Sanders. It was located on Market and Illinois Streets in Indianapolis. The area was very wet and unhealthy because of wetlands nearby. Governor James Whitcomb believed these conditions caused his wife's death. The home was left empty in 1861. Governor Oliver Morton briefly lived there but refused to stay. The house was later sold and destroyed.
Governors did not have an official residence again until 1919. The state bought a home at 101 East 27th Street in Indianapolis for $65,000. They spent another $20,000 to furnish it. This house was built in 1908 by Henry Kahn. It looked like an English country house. The inside had a Gothic style with high, beamed ceilings and fancy carpets. After some renovations, governors lived in this home from 1919 until 1945. The state later sold the building. It was eventually torn down in 1962 to make space for a parking lot.
The fifth home for the governor was bought in 1945. It was located at 4343 N. Meridian Street. This house was built in 1924 by Harry Lane. It was a three-story house with twelve rooms. It was known for its golden bathroom fixtures and a tall, fancy iron fence. The state bought it for $72,000. It served as the governor's home from 1945 until the current mansion was bought in 1973. This house, known as the William N. Thompson House, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
After the fifth home was sold, there was a short time when the current residence was being renovated. During this period, Governors Edgar Whitcomb and Otis Bowen lived in Riley Towers. The state rented a penthouse apartment for them at a cost of $1,150 per month.
Gallery
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Home of Governor Thomas Posey in Corydon
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Home of Jonathan Jennings, the first official governor's residence.
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A sketch of the second official Governor's Mansion, located in Indianapolis
Governor's Residence Commission
The governor's residence is taken care of by a group called the Governor's Residence Commission. This commission manages a special fund for the home. It is part of the Indiana Public Building Foundation.
The commission was created in 1975. Its job is to oversee the repairs and upkeep of the home. They also help plan events held at the residence. The commission members are chosen by the Governor. They serve for terms that the Governor decides. They meet every month and report to the Office of the First Lady. The members do not get paid, but their expenses are covered.
See also
