New York State Executive Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New York State Executive Mansion
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East facade in 2011
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 138 Eagle Street Albany, New York |
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| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne (previously Italianate) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000518 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1971 |
The New York State Executive Mansion is the official home for the governor of New York and their family. It is located at 138 Eagle Street in Albany, New York. Governors have lived in this house since 1875.
Contents
A Look at the Mansion's History
The Executive Mansion was built in 1856. It was first a private home for a banker named Thomas Olcott. The house was designed in the Italianate style, which was popular at the time.
In the 1860s, another owner, Robert L. Johnson, made many changes to the house. Then, in 1875, Samuel Tilden became the first governor to live there. He rented the house, and two years later, the state of New York bought it.
Saving the Mansion
In 1961, a fire damaged the mansion. Some people thought about building a new, modern home for the governor. But Governor Nelson Rockefeller strongly believed the old mansion should be saved. He worked hard to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This listing helps protect important historical buildings.
In the early 1980s, a group called the Executive Mansion Preservation Society was created. Their goal was to help restore and take care of the historic home.
Changes Over Time
Many governors have added their own touches to the mansion over the years.
- Theodore Roosevelt had a gym built.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt added a swimming pool in 1932. This pool was later covered and the area became a greenhouse. But Governor Mario Cuomo had the pool brought back during his time.
- Al Smith created a small zoo.
- Nelson Rockefeller added tennis courts.
For many years, 29 governors in a row lived in the mansion almost all the time. This changed when Governor George Pataki took office.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo started living in the mansion in the fall of 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his three daughters stayed there. Currently, Governor Kathy Hochul and her husband William Hochul live in the mansion with her daughter Caitlin and her partner.
Going Green at the Mansion
In April 2009, Michelle Paige Paterson, who was the First Lady at the time, announced exciting news. The mansion had earned a special award called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. This means the mansion is very energy-efficient and good for the environment.
The New York State Executive Mansion was the first governor's home in the entire country to get this Gold status. It took almost two years of work to make the mansion "green." The project was started by the previous First Lady, Silda Wall Spitzer.
Visiting the Mansion
You can take a free guided tour of the Executive Mansion! Tours are offered on Thursdays from September to June at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. You need to make a reservation to join a tour. School groups can also arrange special tours.
See Also
Images for kids
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East facade in 2011
