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.
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All the information for the tour is on the site. |
I was thrilled!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If it belongs to the Governor's Mansion, it should have the State seal. |
And embossed silver with the seal as well . . .
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I coveted these two pieces -- but didn't bring a big enough purse! |
Which is on this wonderful tea server and pot.
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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!
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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!
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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 . . .
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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!
10 comments:
Is the mansion still in use? It's a beautiful residence! Like you, I'm always interested in the working bits of a house or castle -loved the glimpse down the kitchen hall. Very 'Downton Abby'!
Martha,
This is a gorgeous tour, dear friend! Now...what time is lunch??? YuMMy!!! Always good to "go home, again"! Have a fabulous weekend!
Fondly,
Pat
Such a gorgeous tour and you are so lucky, I have been in our Gorvornor's Mansion many times but they do not allow photos to be taken. Love this beautiful Victorian mansion and of course, my favorite pic was the glimpse of the kitchen. Wouldn't that have just been the icing on the cake to have been able to tour the kitchen. LOVED this post.
Carolyn
Carolyn, if I had seen someone in there, I might have struck up a conversation -- who knows what might have happened!
Yes, Pondy, the Governor's Mansion is still in use. The first floor is now the "public/entertaining" area (although for many years it was the family area as well and the Governor and his family live on the second floor.
Martha, I'm so thrilled that you were able to tour, and posted about, our Governor's Mansion. It has a wonderful history and Carolyn Bond made an invaluable contribution to it when she was First Lady of Missouri. Thank you for the pictures and your commentary! I can't imagine a more perfect lunch on such a hot day than sharing a banana split from Central Dairy! Nothing could be better! You did up Jefferson City right.
Francie
What a lovely post! I have been in the mansion but not through it. Our son did an intership at the captial and then part time work while working on Masters. The gov. home is gorgeous, isn't it? I hope you can see it sometime during Christmas...oh, it is moving to see it lit for the season! The year we were there...reindeer were visiting the lawn!
Martha,
Thanks for the tour of the beautiful mansion. Actually I had seen pictures of the outside of that Governor's Mansion. The inside is beautifully furnished for the era. I always loved the heavily carved furniture. The mirrors are awesome.
I personally think you had a well balanced meal. Actually several well balanced meals.
xo
Ginger
Thanks for the tour. I always love seeing this old house any time. I can't believe you got a look into the kitchen. Lucky you and a picture for us to see as well. I would love to see behind those doors and find out where the basement steps are, the steps to the 3rd floor and so on. Also there has to be a powder room for when they have parties, where is it? I see some of the furniture is back in place. It was all in a pile when I finally got to go. Did they say why the beautiful window treatments were all missing? I hope they plan on returning them. Oh, my I think I am more excited about your tour than mine. We had a horrible guide. Thanks for sharing. Richard from My Old Historic house
Thank you for such a beautiful tour of the Governor's Mansion in my home state. I've been through Jefferson City many times, but never once stopped to see the mansion.
Thanks for sharing these photos, and the history. Beautiful place!
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