Montana Governor's Residence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Former Montana Executive Mansion
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Location | 6th Ave. and Ewing St., Helena, Montana |
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Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
Built | 1888 |
Architect | Hodgson, Stem, & Welter |
Architectural style | Queen Anne |
NRHP reference No. | 70000357 |
Added to NRHP | April 28, 1970 |
The Former Montana Executive Mansion is a very old and important house in Helena, Montana. It is also called the Original Governor's Mansion. This building used to be the official home for the governor of Montana. The governor is the leader of the state.
This historic mansion is located in Helena, which is the capital city of Montana. Because it is so important to history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This list helps protect special places in the United States.
Montana's First Governor's Home
In 1913, the state of Montana bought this beautiful mansion. They wanted it to be the official home for their governors. Before that, it was a private house.
The house was built in 1888 by a man named William Chessman. He also built a smaller building next to it for carriages. From 1913 to 1959, nine different Montana governors lived here with their families.
Building Style and Features
This mansion was first known as the William Chessman Mansion. After 1959, people started calling it the Governor's Old Mansion. It was built in 1888.
The house is designed in a style called Queen Anne style. This style was popular for homes in the late 1800s. It often includes towers, turrets, and different textures. The architects who designed it were from a company called Hodgson, Stem, & Welter. They were based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The mansion has three floors. It is made from special pressed bricks, terra cotta, and stone. Inside, there are 20 rooms and seven fireplaces! It was a very grand home for its time. People say it cost about $85,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then. The property is about 1 acre in size. It includes the main house and the two-story brick carriage house.
Where the Governor Lives Now
The current home for the Montana Governor is also in Helena, Montana. It is located at 2 Carson Street. This new residence started being used in 1959. It replaced the old mansion as the governor's official home.
The current governor's residence is a modern house. It has two levels and is made of steel and brick. It is very close to the Montana State Capitol building. An architect named Chandler C. Cohagen designed this newer home.