Old Governor's Mansion (Frankfort, Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Governor's Mansion
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 420 High St., Frankfort, Kentucky |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1797 |
| Architect | Robert P. Letcher; Thomas Metcalf |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000345 |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Old Governor's Mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky, is also known as the Lieutenant Governor's Mansion. It's famous for being the oldest official home still used by a government leader in the main part of the United States. Today, it serves as the official residence for Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor.
Contents
History of the Old Governor's Mansion
Building a Home for Kentucky's Governor
In 1796, the government of Kentucky decided to build a house for the state's governor. Money was set aside for this project. The construction of the mansion was finished in 1798.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the mansion faced challenges like fires and neglect. It survived these difficulties. The building has also been updated several times. Some parts of its design now show a Victorian style.
Famous Visitors to the Mansion
In its early days, people often called the mansion the "Palace." Many important people have visited the mansion over the years. These guests included Theodore Roosevelt, who later became a U.S. President. Other famous visitors were Andrew Jackson, another future U.S. President, and Louis-Philippe of France, who became a king.
Important American figures like Henry Clay and William Jennings Bryan also stayed there. Even the French hero Marquis de Lafayette was a guest.
From Home to Historical Site
The last people to live in the mansion were Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry and his wife Heather French Henry. After them, lieutenant governors chose to live in their own hometowns. They would travel to Frankfort when they needed to work. Because of this, the mansion was given to the Kentucky Historical Society. This group now helps take care of the historic building.
Builders Who Became Governors
It's an interesting fact that two people who helped build the mansion later became governors of Kentucky. These were Robert P. Letcher, a bricklayer, and Thomas Metcalf, a stonemason. Both of them eventually lived in the house they helped create.
National Recognition
The Old Governor's Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This listing means it is recognized as an important historical site.
See also
- State House (Pennsylvania): A former official home for the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.
- List of buildings constructed by Thomas Metcalfe
