Furnishings moving back to Governor’s Mansion as construction nears finish

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 11:53am

AUSTIN As the massive restoration of the Texas Governors Mansion nears completion, pieces from the historic Governors Mansion Collection are being moved back into the home. Owned and curated by the non-profit Friends of the Governors Mansion, the collection was removed when the deferred maintenance project started in October 2007. The return of the collection marks the first stage of the move phase of the Governors Mansion restoration. The first family is expected to move back into the Governors Mansion, the home of 40 Texas governors, when the project is completed late next month.

The historic Texas Governors Mansion has been a symbol of Texas pride and resilience for decades, and now as its restoration nears completion, we enter a new chapter in its history, Texas First Lady Anita Perry said. Returning these important pieces to their rightful place in the Governors Mansion brings us one step closer to completing the restoration of this Texas treasure, which is one of the cornerstones of our states rich heritage.

The Governors Mansion Collection is composed of historic state-owned pieces that have been in the Governors Mansion and museum-quality American antiques dating back to the earliest years of the states history, including the bed used by Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austins writing desk and portraits of Gov. and Mrs. Pease, who was in office when the Governors Mansion was built in 1856. The collection also includes the Governors Memento Collection, a tradition started in the l960s by Texas First Lady Jean Houston Daniel. Additionally, last week, historic large chandeliers were installed throughout the first floor.

What began as a deferred maintenance project of the Governors Mansion in October 2007 became a major restoration effort following a massive fire set by an unidentified arsonist in June 2008. The restoration has been made possible by nearly $3.5 million in private donations and a $21.5 million appropriation by the Texas Legislature.

No arrest has been made in the arson case at this time. The Texas Department of Public Safety has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist. Anyone with information related to the Texas Governors Mansion arson is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 252-TIPS (8477) or the State Fire Marshals Arson Hotline at (988) 252-8477.

For more information about the status of the Governors Mansion Restoration, please contact the State Preservation Board at (512) 463-5495.

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Furnishings moving back to Governor’s Mansion as construction nears finish