Ohio Governor's Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Malcolm Jeffrey House
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| Location | 358 N. Parkview, Bexley, Ohio |
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| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Robert Gilmore Hanford |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival Jacobethan Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001970 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1983 |
The Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden is the official home for the governor of Ohio. This grand house was built between 1923 and 1925 by a businessman named Malcolm D. Jeffrey. Since 1957, it has been the official home for Ohio's governors.
You can find the mansion at 358 North Parkview Avenue in Bexley. Bexley is a smaller town right next to Columbus, which is Ohio's capital city. It's interesting to know that Ohio's Governor's Residence is one of only four in the United States that isn't located directly in the state capital.
Contents
History of Ohio's Governor's Residence
The current mansion is actually the second official home for Ohio's governors. It was bought in 1957 to give the governor and their family a proper place to live.
Why Did Ohio Need a Governor's Mansion?
Before 1919, Ohio governors had to find their own places to live. This led to a funny problem in 1916. The new governor, James M. Cox, expected to move into a certain house. But it turned out that the new Secretary of State had already rented it! To stop such mix-ups, a law was passed to make sure the governor always had a home.
The first official governor's house was bought in 1919. It was built in 1905 for a local business owner. This house served as the governor's home until the late 1950s. By then, it was quite old and needed a lot of expensive repairs. The state decided it would be cheaper to buy a new house instead.
Building the Current Governor's Home
The house in Bexley was built for Malcolm Jeffrey, whose father founded a big manufacturing company. A Columbus architect named Robert Gilmore Hanford designed it. Construction started in 1923 and finished in 1925.
The Jeffrey family lived in the home until Malcolm Jeffrey passed away in 1930. His sister, Florence Jeffrey Carlile, then bought the house. She added a master bedroom and a screened porch. After Mrs. Carlile died in 1954, the house was offered to the state of Ohio.
Ohio's governors have lived in the house ever since, with a few exceptions. For example, Governor James A. Rhodes lived there for his first two terms (1963-1971) but then moved to his own home for his later terms. Governor John Kasich (2011-2019) also chose to live in his private home but used the mansion for important meetings and events.
Current Governor Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran, moved into the residence in January 2019. On weekends, they often return to their family farm.
Exploring the Governor's Residence Exterior
The Governor's Residence is surrounded by streets on three sides: Parkview Avenue, Maryland Avenue, and Columbia Avenue. The beautiful Heritage Garden wraps around the entire house. Near the house, you'll find the Carriage House, a Gift Shop, and a Greenhouse. A lovely fountain sits right in front of the main entrance.
Discovering the Heritage Garden
When the Governor's Residence moved to its current spot, the grounds already had some plants and trees. Over time, more art, fences, and garden walls were added. The amazing Heritage Garden was created and planted in 2001, thanks to First Lady Hope Taft.
The main goal of the garden is to show off the different natural areas of Ohio. With new gardens, solar panels, and a special driveway, the grounds are now known as one of the "greenest" governor's residences in America!
Walking Through Ohio's Geology
As you start near the Carriage House, you'll find the Geologic Walk. This path circles the entire residence and takes you on a tour of Ohio's different geological regions.
- The Allegheny Garden runs along one side of the property. It shows what the northeastern part of Ohio looks like. You'll see various trees and plants here. At the end of this garden, there's a huge 16-ton boulder. This rock was carried all the way from Canada to Ohio by a glacier during the Ice Age!
- The Governor's Grove is on the west lawn. This area celebrates the governors who have lived in the house. Each governor has planted a tree here. For example, Governor C. William O'Neill planted a Honey locust, and Governor Dick Celeste planted six Redbud trees for his six children.
- The Arrival Plaza is where tours begin. It leads into the First Lady's Courtyard, with the Heritage Fountain as its center. Two flagpoles proudly fly the U.S. flag and the Ohio state flag.
- The Meadow Garden and Woodland Garden are along the southern edge of the property. The County Walk, made of stones with the names of each Ohio county, leads you through these gardens. You'll also see a large brick design of the Great Seal of Ohio, which was a gift from Licking County.
- Beyond the state seal are the Sister State Cherry Trees. These were a gift to Ohio from the Saitama Prefecture in Japan. They frame the First Family Patio. There's even a special Yoshino cherry tree here that is a clone of one found in Washington D.C.!
- The Water Garden has six pools with beautiful aquatic plants. Next to it is the Black Swamp Garden. Above this garden, you'll find a crab apple grove with a sculpture called To Life. This artwork shows a family playing together.
- The Headlands Sand Dune Garden and Oak Openings Sand Dune represent areas near Lake Erie and Toledo. These unique landscapes were formed when glaciers left behind yellow-brown sand. You might spot interesting plants like the blue sundial lupine and prickly pear cactus here. An old willow tree in this garden has been there since the house was built!
- The Alvar Rock Garden & Fen features large flat rocks of dolomite and limestone. Some of these rocks even have marks from glaciers! You'll see hardy plants like the Lakeside Daisy growing around them.
- The Appalachian Garden is in the southeastern part of the grounds. It looks like the "hanging gardens" found in the Appalachian Plateau, with plants growing over rocky edges. This garden includes large stones from a covered bridge near Zanesville.
- The Pioneer Garden is in the center of the eastern garden. Its main feature is an apple tree grown from a cutting of one of the few living trees planted by Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman! Other plants here were important to Ohio's early pioneers.
- The Earth's Harvest Agricultural Garden is in front of the greenhouse. It has many raised garden beds for growing fruits, berries, and grapevines. You'll also see a large pig sculpture called Hammy Birthday Ohio, which was part of a special event in Cincinnati.
- The Walled Garden provides flowers for decorating the house and vegetables for daily meals. It also has plants found only along the Ohio River.
- The Greenhouse helps sick plants recover and starts new plants for the gardens. The Gift Shop helps support the maintenance of the property. Large solar panels on the roof provide electricity for the residence.
- The Kettle Lake Bog is a special garden with curved brick walls and benches. It used to be a fishpond but was turned into a bog, filled with plants like Cranberry, Pitcher plant, and Sphagnum moss.
- The Garden of the Lost shows plants that used to grow in Ohio but disappeared due to climate changes. You might see plants like Sweetbay magnolia here.
- The Jeffrey-Carlile Rose Garden is at the northern end of the East Terrace. It has many types of roses bred by Ohioans. Even though the original roses died, expert gardeners replanted and cared for them.
- The Prairie Garden represents the western part of Ohio. It has river gravel and plants like Shooting stars and Purple coneflower. A pergola (a shaded walkway) with climbing plants like Wisteria runs along one side.
The Residence's Architecture
The Governor's Residence is built in the Jacobean Revival style, which means it looks like old English country homes. It has a mix of stucco and limestone walls, with decorative stone blocks at the corners and around windows. Parts of the second floor have a half-timbered look. The roof is made of strong slate, and several large brick chimneys stick out.
The front entrance has a flight of stairs and is part of a tall, gabled section. Carved pillars decorate the doorway. The large oak front door has carved panels and heavy hinges, welcoming visitors inside.
Inside the Governor's Residence
The first floor of the residence is used for public events and welcoming guests. These rooms display art by famous Ohioans or historical items from the house. The second floor is where the governor and their family live privately, decorated to their personal taste.
The Grand Entrance Hall
When you step inside, you'll find a polished slate stone floor and carved oak panels reaching up to the oak-beamed ceiling. A beautiful staircase with a carved railing stands in the hall. You'll also see two tall lamps and chairs that were original to the house, along with a chest that belonged to Mrs. Carlile, the last private owner.
The Formal Dining Room
To the left of the entrance hall is the formal dining room. It has full oak paneling and decorative plaster designs on the ceiling. A carved stone fireplace is built into the wall. A large bay window is a main feature, looking out onto the gardens. Two sets of French doors lead to other areas. A big dining table sits in the middle of the room, with a fancy gold and crystal chandelier hanging above it.
The Sunken Living Room
To the right of the entrance hall is the sunken living room. It also has oak paneling and decorative ceiling designs. A fireplace similar to the one in the dining room is across from the entrance doors. A large bay window overlooks the front yard and gardens. Two big French doors lead to a sitting room beyond.
See also
- Columbus Foundation, at the Old Governor's Mansion
Images for kids
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Alfred Tibor's sculpture To Life
