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 historic home in Jefferson City, Missouri. It's where the governor of Missouri lives and works. You can find it at 100 Madison Street. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1969. It is part of the Missouri State Capitol Historic District.
The mansion sits on a hill overlooking the Missouri River. This spot was once home to the very first Missouri State Capitol building from 1825 to 1837. That first capitol building burned down in 1837. The current capitol building was then built nearby.
The beautiful mansion you see today was built in 1871. It cost about $75,000 back then. Every governor since that time has lived in this house. It was updated a lot during Governor Kit Bond's time in the 1980s.
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History of the Mansion
First Governor's Home
Before the state capital moved to Jefferson City, early governors lived in their own homes. Sometimes, they would rent houses in places like St. Charles, Missouri.
The first official governor's home in Jefferson City was also used for the state government. The Missouri House of Representatives met on the first floor. The Missouri State Senate met on the second floor. The governor lived in just two rooms in the same building.
This first building was finished in November 1826. It cost $20,000 to build. Stephen Hills designed it, taking ideas from the first Pennsylvania State Capitol.
Second Governor's Home
Missouri's second governor, Daniel Dunklin, didn't want to live in the first building. So, a new mansion started being built in 1833. It was finished in 1834 and cost $5,000. It was right next to the old capitol building.
This second mansion was saved from a big fire in 1837. That fire destroyed the capitol building next door. People put wet blankets on the mansion's roof to stop the flames.
The mansion had its own fire in the 1840s. Governor Thomas Reynolds lived there at the time. A sofa with cool pineapple-shaped legs, which belonged to Reynolds, is still in the current mansion today. It's one of the oldest pieces of furniture there.
Governor Robert Marcellus Stewart wanted a brand new home for the governor. He was known for doing unusual things. Once, he rode his horse right up the mansion steps! He also pardoned all the women in the state prison. He then had them work at the mansion. The state set aside $20,000 for a new mansion. But, the American Civil War stopped these plans.
Current Governor's Mansion
When B. Gratz Brown became governor in 1871, people were worried about the old mansion. They thought it might be unsafe for big gatherings. So, in March 1871, the state decided to spend $50,000 on a new mansion. George I. Barnett was chosen as the architect. He also designed many buildings at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The current mansion is a three-story building made of red brick. It has a special roof called a mansard roof. There are also four pink granite columns from Governor Brown's own quarry.
Inside, one of the most amazing parts is the Grand Stairway. It is carved from beautiful walnut wood.
The mansion has been updated several times. In the 1890s, Governor David Rowland Francis had the bricks painted deep red. This helped cover up soot stains.
Later, under Governor Lloyd C. Stark, more changes were made. Steel supports were put in for the Grand Stairway. The outside of the mansion was painted white. The Starks also gave 3,000 plants from their nursery to make the grounds beautiful.
During Governor Kit Bond’s time in the 1980s, the mansion was renovated a lot. The goal was to make it look like it did in 1871. They added furniture in the Renaissance Revival style. They also brought back the original pink brick look on the outside.
Tours of the Mansion
You can take free guided tours of the Missouri Governor's Mansion. Volunteers lead these tours. The mansion is usually open for tours from April through mid-May. You can make reservations through the Missouri State Parks website. It's a great way to see this historic home!
