Missouri Waltz

Although I am a Kansan by heritage on one side, I'm also a Missourian by birth and by heritage on the other side.    Roots in Missouri go back to 1845 when my great grandfather came with his mother, father and siblings from Germany.    They settled in Concordia, Missouri as did other immigrants from the same area in Germany.    

I've visited the Missouri capitol, Jefferson City,  many times and am always in awe of the Benton mural in the House Lounge.   It is amazing.

But one thing I've never done is to visit the Governor's Mansion.    Not that I didn't want to, I did!   But either there weren't any tours when I was there or we didn't have time to tour for we had to head back home.

A mini vacation this week in Jefferson City, Missouri's capitol.    We were on our own time schedule.   We would be there on Thursday when the mansion was open for tour.

All the information for the tour is on the site.

I was thrilled!

Built in the Renaissance Revival Style

Unlike some state's governor's mansions, this was built as a residence for the Governor.   It was not a house built as a residence and then donated to the State for use as the Governor's Mansion.    Built in 1871, it's very typical of Victorian homes of that era.

When you come in the front door and look to the right, this is what you see.

The parlor, as seen from the front hall.     The downstairs rooms, although, they can be used by the Governor and his family are mainly used for social occasions.  

Walnut furniture, exquisite carving

A carving on the back of the furniture in the parlor.    We were told that none of the furniture was original to the mansion.    But it is of the era of the mansion.     This was a lovely set of furniture.

The rug in the parlor -- we were told it's in the shape of the mansion.

Almost all art in the Governor's Mansions are First Lady portraits.

Former First Lady Carolyn Bond.    I worked for her husband for eight years -- he did serve two terms but not consecutively.     She took an interest in the mansion and created the Missouri Mansion Preservation to preserve this wonderful part of Missouri history.

One of the fundraising projects was a cookbook, Past and Repast, which I purchased shortly after it was published.     There are some good recipes in that book as well as some history of the mansion and some of Mrs. Bond's personal recipes.    I've cooked many of the recipes in that book and it's a favorite.

One of the five fireplaces downstairs

In fact, she and her husband gave this beautiful mirror over the mantle in the music room to the Mansion.

Missouri's most famous native son and his family

The dining room features a portrait of President Harry Truman, wife Bess and daughter Margaret.    Harry was never governor but he was Missouri's only President.     This portrait has pride of place in the dining room.

It's real gold leaf which is why it's so shiny!

In the mansion, always look up for ceilings have been elaborately decorated.    This one is in the dining room.

Who wouldn't like one of these special chairs?

The dining room chairs have a metal seal of the State Missouri in their chair backs.  

If it belongs to the Governor's Mansion, it should have the State seal.

And embossed silver with the seal as well . . .

I coveted these two pieces -- but didn't bring a big enough purse!

Which is on this wonderful tea server and pot.

I always like the working side of a house!

Always a favorite place to me is kitchens and the door was ajar . . . and I snapped a shot.    How I would have loved a kitchen tour!

The lamp lowers from the ceiling so that you could sit around the table and read or do needlework.

The library -- across the hall from the parlor.    Libraries are always one of my favorite rooms in homes.    They have a homier and more lived in feel that formal parlors!

Linderhof green on the walls!

Another wonderful mirror over the fireplace and another gift from the Bonds.     The dark green of the walls reminds me of Linderhof's living room.

We had a great time in Jefferson City and after leaving the Governor's Mansion, we stopped for lunch . . .

It's not all Jim's -- lunch after the tour!

At the Central Dairy.    A banana split -- $6.00 and we think it's a steal of a deal.    Enough for two (we did share) and we felt that it covered most of the food groups -- dairy (ice cream), protein (toasted nuts), fruit (banana) and most importantly -- chocolate!

It's Friday, I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday and I'm also joining Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.    That banana split certainly counts as food!