The Governor’s Mansion Frankfort, Kentucky

Geography

• The Governor's Mansion is situated on the east lawn of the State Capitol grounds on a bluff high above the Kentucky River in Frankfort. It faces west overlooking the front lawn of the State Capitol building.

Construction

• Started in 1912 - Completed in 1914

• Land cost was $9,500.

• Building cost was $62,000.

• $20,000 was appropriated for furnishings.

• Final cost was $94,902.40.

History

• The design of the Governor's Mansion was a product of its time - the post Civil War Gilded Age of "conspicuous consumption."

• Historians have speculated that the advent of World War I interrupted construction before the interior and gardens could be completed.

Architecture

• Designed in the Beaux-Arts style; inspiration for the mansion came from French architecture.

• Designed by C.C. and E.A. Weber of Fort Thomas, Kentucky.

• The Mansion's exterior was modeled after the Petit Trianon, Queen Marie Antoinette's villa near the Palace of Versailles in France.

• A stone balustrade and terrace lead to the front portico that includes four pairs of Ionic columns.

• The interior of the Mansion reflects the eclectic interest in French Neo-Classicism typical of the Beaux-Arts period.

Interior

• The Mansion measures nearly 80 feet wide and 200 feet long.

• The Mansion's living and working space measures 18,428 square feet.

• Most lighting fixtures and decorative features such as the ornamental plaster and mantles are original to the building.

Exterior and Grounds

• The Mansion's walls are solid brick faced with Bowling Green Limestone.

• The perimeter of the Mansion grounds is 3,135 linear feet.

• The current garden layout was taken from the original garden plans drawn during the 1912 construction and planning phase.

Staff

• The average number of full time staff is between 12 and 15. Several part time staffers work at the Mansion during special events as well.

Residents

• 26 Governor's and their families have lived in the Governor's Mansion.
  (20 Democrats & 6 Republicans)

Guests

• The list of those who've visited the Governor's Mansion is long, but includes Presidents, Vice Presidents, Governor's of other states and territories, other politicians, British royalty, foreign dignitaries, actors, singers, dancers, musicians, authors, composers, activists, artists, poets, music and movie producers among others.

• Between 12,000 and 15,000 people visit the Mansion for tours and events annually.

Renovations

• Although some minor renovations were done during the first A.B. Chandler administration, the last and only major renovation and restoration was done in 1982-1983 during the John Y. Brown Jr. administration.