Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park facts for kids
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Leland Stanford House
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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 | 1857 |
| 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 called the Stanford Mansion, is a famous old house in Sacramento, California. It's now a California State Park. This mansion is used by the California government for special events. It's also one of the official offices for the Governor of California.
The mansion was built in 1856. It used to be the home of Leland Stanford. He was the 8th Governor of California. He also started Stanford University, a very well-known school. In 1900, the Stanford family gave the mansion to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. They used it as a home for children until 1978. Later, the California government bought the mansion. They made it a special place for state events and a state park. Its official name is the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.
Contents
History of the Stanford Mansion
The first owner and builder of this large house was Shelton C. Fogus. He was a rich merchant in Sacramento. The mansion's original design is called Renaissance Revival architecture. This style is often linked to 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's Home
Leland Stanford was the president of the Central Pacific Railroad. This was a very important railway company. He was also a rising member of the Republican Party. In June 1861, he bought the house for $8,000. This was just before he was elected as California's governor.
During his two years as governor, the Stanford Mansion was his home and office. Other governors, Frederick Low and Henry Huntly Haight, also used the mansion as their office.
Mansion Expansion and Redesign
Between 1871 and 1872, the Stanford family made big changes to their home. In 1862, Stanford had to get to his governor's inauguration by rowboat! This was because of floods from the Sacramento River. So, the house was raised 12 feet to avoid future floods.
They also added a story to the bottom and top of the mansion. The house grew from 4,000 square feet to 19,000 square feet. It was redesigned in the French Second Empire style. This style was very popular then. The mansion got a special roof called a Mansard roof on the fourth floor. The original two-story house ended up in the middle of the new added floors.
After Leland Stanford passed away in 1893, his wife, Jane Lathrop Stanford, continued to take care of the home.
The Mansion as a Children's Home
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In 1900, Jane Stanford gave the mansion to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. She wanted it to be used for the children of California. The mansion was given to the Sisters of Mercy. They ran it as an orphanage, a home for children without parents. It was called the Stanford and Lathrop Memorial Home for Friendless Children.
In 1932, the Sisters of Social Service took over. They changed the mansion from an orphanage. It became a home for high school girls who needed support. In 1940, a fire damaged the fourth floor of the mansion.
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, a big project began to restore the Stanford Mansion. It took 14 years and cost $22 million. Peter McCuen, a businessman and former professor from Stanford University, helped with this.
To make sure the restoration was accurate, experts studied the house in 1986. This was part of the Historic American Buildings Survey. They also used many old photos. Alfred A. Hart took pictures in 1868. Eadweard Muybridge took more photos in 1872.
The repairs were finished in 2005. Then, the mansion opened to the public. California State Parks offers tours of the fully restored home. The rooms look just like they did in 1872. The Leland Stanford Mansion is easy to visit for everyone. This includes the gardens, Visitor Center, and restrooms. Elevators help visitors reach the upper floors. There is also a special model of the Mansion in the Visitor Center that you can touch.
See also
In Spanish: Mansión Leland Stanford para niños
