Missouri Governor's Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Missouri Governor's Mansion
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 100 Madison St., Jefferson City, Missouri |
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| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | George Ingham Barnett |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000095 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 1969 |
The Missouri Governor's Mansion is a special house in Jefferson City, Missouri, where the governor of Missouri lives. It's located at 100 Madison Street. This historic home was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1969, which means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States. It's also part of the Missouri State Capitol Historic District.
The land where the mansion stands today is very old. It was once the spot of the first Missouri State Capitol building from 1825 to 1837. That first capitol building burned down in 1837. The current mansion was built in 1871. It has been the home for every Missouri governor since then. The mansion has been updated and cared for over the years, including a big renovation in the 1980s.
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History of the Governor's Homes
First Governor's Home in Jefferson City
Before Jefferson City became the state capital, early governors lived in their own homes. When the capital moved to Jefferson City, the first governor's home was built. This building was not just a house; it also served as the meeting place for the Missouri General Assembly. The Missouri House of Representatives met on the first floor, and the Missouri Senate met on the second floor. The governor lived in just two rooms!
This first building was finished in November 1826. It was designed by Stephen Hills, who also designed parts of the University of Missouri.
Second Governor's Home
In 1832, Missouri's second governor, Daniel Dunklin, decided he didn't want to live in the first building. So, a new mansion was built. Construction started in 1833 and was finished in 1834. This new home was on the same block as the first one.
A big fire happened on November 15, 1837, which destroyed the nearby capitol building. Luckily, the second mansion was saved! People put wet blankets on its roof to protect it from the flames.
Later, in the 1840s, the mansion had a fire. A sad event also happened there when Governor Thomas Reynolds died in 1844. One of the oldest pieces of furniture in the current mansion is a sofa that belonged to him.
Governor Robert Marcellus Stewart wanted a new home for the governor. He was known for being quite unique! He once rode his horse right up the steps into the house. He also pardoned all the women in the state prison and had them work at the mansion. Money was set aside for a new mansion, but the American Civil War stopped those plans.
The Current Governor's Mansion
When B. Gratz Brown became governor in 1871, people were worried about the old mansion. So, in March 1871, money was approved to build a brand new mansion. George I. Barnett, a famous architect who designed many buildings at the Missouri Botanical Garden, was chosen to design it.
The current mansion is a three-story building made of red brick. It has a special roof called a mansard roof and four pink granite columns. Inside, one of the most amazing features is the Grand Stairway, which is carved from walnut wood.
The mansion has been updated several times. In the 1890s, under Governor David Rowland Francis, the bricks were painted a deep red. Later, under Governor Lloyd C. Stark, the columns supporting the Grand Stairway were replaced with strong steel. The outside of the mansion was painted white, and the Starks donated thousands of plants for the grounds.
During Governor Kit Bond’s time in the 1980s, the mansion had a major renovation. The goal was to make it look more like it did when it was first built in 1871. This included bringing back the pink brick color on the outside.
Visiting the Mansion
You can take free guided tours of the Missouri Governor's Mansion! These tours are led by volunteers and are usually available from April through mid-May. If you want to visit, you can make reservations through the Missouri State Parks website. It's a great way to see a piece of Missouri's history!
