Leland Stanford Mansion facts for kids
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Leland Stanford Mansion
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 Location in Sacramento, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sacramento, California |
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| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | Seth Babson |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000178 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1987 |
The Leland Stanford Mansion, also known as the Stanford Mansion, is a famous historic house in Sacramento, California. It is now a California State Park. Today, it is used as an official place for important events and meetings for the California government. It is also one of the official workplaces for the Governor of California.
This mansion was built in 1856. It used to be the home of Leland Stanford. He was the 8th Governor of California and the person who started Stanford University. In 1900, the Stanford family gave the mansion to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. This group ran a home for children there until 1978. Later, the California government bought the property. They wanted it to be a special reception center for the state capital. It is officially called the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.
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History of the Mansion
The first owner and builder of this home was Shelton C. Fogus. He was a rich merchant from Sacramento. The original design of the home was in the Renaissance Revival architecture style. This style is thought to be by Seth Babson. He also designed the E.B. Crocker home and art gallery. These are now part of the Crocker Art Museum.
The Stanford Family Home
Leland Stanford was the president of the Central Pacific Railroad. He was one of "the Big Four" powerful businessmen. He was also becoming an important member of the Republican Party. He bought the home for $8,000 in June 1861. This was just before he was elected as California's governor that year.
During his two years as governor, the Stanford Mansion was the state's main office and living space. Other governors, like Frederick Low and Henry Huntly Haight, also used the mansion as their office.
Between 1871 and 1872, the Stanford family decided to make big changes to the house. In 1862, Stanford had to get to his governor's inauguration by rowboat because of floods. So, the house was raised 12 feet to stop future flooding from the Sacramento River. Also, one floor was added to both the bottom and top of the mansion.
The home grew from about 4,000 square feet to 19,000 square feet. It was also redesigned to look like the French Second Empire style. This style was very popular at the time. You can see it in the fourth-floor Mansard roof that covers the home. The final result was a four-story building. The original two-story house sat between the new added floors.
After Stanford passed away in 1893, his wife, Jane Lathrop Stanford, continued to take care of the home.
Owned by the Diocese of Sacramento
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In 1900, Jane Stanford gave the home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. She wanted it to be used for the children of California. It was given to the Sisters of Mercy. They ran it as an orphanage called the Stanford and Lathrop Memorial Home for Friendless Children.
In 1932, the home was given to the Sisters of Social Service. They changed the mansion from an orphanage to a home for high school girls who needed support. A fire in the mansion in 1940 caused a lot of damage to the fourth floor.
The mansion was named a California Historical Landmark in 1957. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Restoring the Mansion
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Starting in 1991, the Stanford Mansion went through a 14-year restoration. This project cost $22 million. Peter McCuen, a businessman and former Stanford University professor, helped with the work.
To make sure the home and its rooms looked exactly as they did before, a lot of research was done. A detailed study of the home was made in 1986. Also, many old photographs helped. Alfred A. Hart took pictures in 1868. Eadweard Muybridge took more in 1872.
The repairs and restoration finished in 2005. That's when the mansion opened to the public. California State Parks offers guided tours of the fully restored home. The rooms now look like they did in 1872. The Leland Stanford Mansion is easy to access for everyone. This includes the gardens, Visitor Center, and restrooms. Elevators help people reach the upper floors for tours. There is also a model of the Mansion in the Visitor Center that you can touch.
See also
