The Pavilion (Vermont) facts for kids

The Pavilion is the main office building for the Governor of Vermont. It's located at 109 State Street in Montpelier, which is the capital city of the U.S. state of Vermont. The building looks like the French Second Empire style. Inside, you'll find the Governor's offices, a reception room, a room for press briefings, and even living apartments for the Governor.

Sometimes, people call the Governor's administration "The Fifth Floor." This is because the Governor's main offices are on the fifth floor of the Pavilion. Other important state offices are also in the Pavilion, like those for the Vermont Attorney General (who is the state's top lawyer) and the Vermont State Treasurer (who manages the state's money). The Agency of Administration and the Vermont Historical Society with its museum are also here.

History of The Pavilion

From Fancy Hotel to State Office

The building you see today was built in 1971. It's a new version of a grand hotel from 1876 that was also called The Pavilion. When it was a hotel, people often called it Vermont's "third house." This was because it was so important to Vermont's politics. Many lawmakers stayed there while the state legislature was meeting.

The very first hotel on this spot was a three-story building. It was built between 1807 and 1808 by Thomas Davis. Sylvanus Baldwin, a self-taught architect, designed it. Later, Mahlon Cottrill bought the hotel and made it much bigger. He rebuilt it in the Greek Revival style and gave it the name The Pavilion. He also added porches, called piazzas, on the south and west sides, just like the building has today.

In 1874, Theron O. Bailey bought the hotel. He tore down the old building and built a brand new Pavilion with ninety guest rooms. He added two full floors and an attic floor under a stylish new mansard roof. Guests could ride steam-powered elevators from the ground floor all the way to the fifth floor! The new hotel also had two ballrooms, dining rooms, and lounges. All these rooms were lit by gas lights. A large two-story porch was added on the south side, facing State Street, and on the west side, facing the lawn of the Vermont State House. Bailey's amazing new hotel cost $100,000. It opened just in time for the 1876 Centennial of American Independence.

For 75 years, The Pavilion was the most important hotel in Montpelier. But over time, more lawmakers started driving home instead of staying in the city. This led to the hotel's decline. The hotel finally closed in October 1966.

Rebuilding for State Use

The state of Vermont bought the property in 1969. They thought about fixing up the old hotel. However, the state really needed more office space in the capital. So, they decided to tear down the old building and build a new Pavilion.

The outside walls on the west and south sides of the new building look almost exactly like the original 1876 hotel. The only differences are that the new building doesn't have chimneys or the fancy metal decorations along the mansard roof. A large two-story porch still wraps around the south and west sides, just like the old building. The entrance hall on State Street and a nearby reception room are designed to look like the original fancy French Second Empire style interiors. They have colorful stenciling, old-fashioned artwork, and furniture from that time.

The Governor's Home and Office

The Governor's Working Offices

When the current Pavilion building opened in 1971, Governor Dean Davis had his offices on the fifth floor's southeast corner. A long hallway leading to them was used as a gallery for Vermont artists. In the 1980s, a modern addition was built. This new part is made of steel and glass and is on the northwest side of the building. The Governor's main working office moved to this new wing. From here, the Governor has a great view of the State House dome. The Governor also has a special ceremonial office in the Vermont State House. This office is used almost every day when the legislature is in session.

Living Apartments for the Governor

Vermont used to have an official home for its governors called the Chester Wright House. It was a large house built in 1809. The family of Governor Joseph B. Johnson were the last to live there regularly, leaving in 1959. The house was used only sometimes after that. It was sold in the mid-1960s because it wasn't being used much.

Later, a residential apartment for the Governor was built inside the Pavilion. This happened during the time of Governor Madeleine M. Kunin. Recent governors don't use these rooms very often. However, they can be very helpful during emergencies or when the legislature is meeting late into the night.

Images for kids

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  The Pavilion houses the working offices of the Governor of Vermont.

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  Detail of the mansard roof showing the Pavilion's nameplate.

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  The Pavilion in a 1915 post card.

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  The piazza on the Pavilion's west side facing the Vermont Supreme Court.