Illinois Executive Mansion
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The Illinois Executive Mansion is the official residence of the governor of Illinois. It is located at 410 E. Jackson Street in Springfield, Illinois and is open to tours on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, free of charge. The Georgian style Mansion was designed by Chicago architect John Murry Van Odsel. It recently underwent a three million dollar renovation. The Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
The 16 room manor was completed in 1855 and was first occupied by governor Joel Matteson. It is the oldest historic residence in the state of Illinois and one of the three oldest continuously-occupied governor's mansions in the United States.
During the Christmas season the mansion is decorated lavishly with Christmas decorations, including over a dozen Christmas trees.
Although sometimes used for state functions such as state dinners and the like, the mansion is, for the most part, a historic site. The libraries, bedrooms, parlors, sitting rooms, etc. are maintained as they may have looked in the 1800s. The governor is not expected to actually reside in the mansion itself. Rather, a 7-room private apartment is provided for the governor and his family behind the mansion. Current Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich does not live in the Executive Mansion, instead choosing to remain in his private home in Chicago[1], citing his wife and 7 year old daughter as reasons for staying.
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Alabama |
Hawaii |
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South Dakota |
