New Mexico Governor's Mansion facts for kids
The New Mexico Governor's Residence is the official home for the governor of New Mexico and their family. It's where they live while the governor leads the state. The current house, located at 1 Mansion Drive in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been the governor's official home since 1954. It is the third building to serve this important purpose.
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History of the Governor's Homes
New Mexico has had a few different official homes for its governors over the years. Each one tells a part of the state's history.
The First Governor's Home: Palace of the Governors
The very first place where New Mexico's governors lived was the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. This building was made of adobe, a type of sun-dried brick. It was built way back in 1610, during the time of Spanish colonization.
Today, the Palace of the Governors is no longer a home. It is a popular museum and a place for tourists to visit. It is famous for being the oldest public building in the United States that has been used continuously for over 400 years!
The Second Governor's Home: Downtown Santa Fe
Before the current residence, the governor's home was in downtown Santa Fe. It was right next to the New Mexico State Capitol, where the state's laws are made. This house was built in a style called neoclassical architecture. It was designed to look a bit like the White House in Washington D.C., but it was painted a light tan color.
This second home had large gardens and even a fish pond. However, by 1950, the house was in very bad shape. It needed a lot of repairs. Because of this, the New Mexico Legislature (the group that makes laws for the state) decided to approve money for a brand new governor's residence that same year.
The Current Governor's Residence
The current New Mexico Governor's Residence was completed and became the official home in 1954. It is located at 1 Mansion Drive in Santa Fe. This is the third building to serve as the official home for the governor and their family.
See also
In Spanish: Mansión del Gobernador de Nuevo México para niños
