The Kentucky Governor’s Mansion reached an historic milestone in 2014, turning 100 years old on Jan. 20, 2014. This national landmark has been home to twenty-six Kentucky governors and has served as an impressive setting for welcoming dignitaries from across the globe as well as the citizens of the Commonwealth.
The Centennial marked a yearlong celebration of events honoring the Mansion’s architectural, social and political history. Some of the many celebratory events included the premiere of a new documentary about the mansion’s 100 year history, a mansion symposium, a special legacy project involving all 120 Kentucky counties and more.
Centennial Committee
The Mansion Centennial Celebration Committee was made up of a cross-section of Kentuckians who understand the importance of the Governor’s Mansion, not only as a remarkable example of Beaux Arts architecture, but also as the center of Kentucky politics for the past 100 years. Co-Chairs Mike Duncan, former Republican National Committee Chairman, and Terry McBrayer, former chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party and committeeman for the Democratic National Committee, worked with the committee to ensure bipartisan support for this important occasion.
Celebration Funding
No public or taxpayer dollars were used to fund the Centennial Celebration. All events and exhibits were sponsored through private donations to the Kentucky Executive Mansions Foundation, Inc. (KEMFI). KEMFI is a 501(c)(3) organization established to undertake, promote and assist financially and otherwise support the modification to the restoration, maintenance and preservation of public buildings, sites, structures, places and objects of historic significance owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.