Oklahoma Governor's Mansion

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The Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, circa 1941

The Oklahoma Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Oklahoma. The current resident, Governor Brad Henry, has lived in the Mansion since taking office in 2003.

1 Construction
2 History
3 The Mansion today
4 References

[edit] Construction

Following Oklahoma's admission to the Union on November 16, 1907, the Oklahoma Legislature focused on establishing the Oklahoma State Capitol and not the Governor's residence. After the completion of the Capitol in 1919, the Legislature began to focus on the Governor's residence. The site for the Mansion had been picked out in 1914; a plot of land just east of the Capitol.

The site would remain a grassy lot for over a decade while the Legislature debate on funds for the Mansion. It was not until 1927 did debate finally end. That year, Oklahoma prospered due to an oil boom, which increased funds that State collected in taxes. The Legislature allocated $100,000 to the Mansion project. Of that $100,000, $75,000 was spent on the actual construction of the Mansion and the other $25,000 was used to provide the Governor with furniture. Two years later in 1929, the Legislature would spend another $39,000 on landscaping and other outdoor buildings on the Mansion's property.

The Mansion was completed in 1928, one year after construction began. Built by the Oklahoma City architectural firm Layton, Hicks and Forsyth,the Mansion is of Dutch-Colonial style. Carthage limestone was used so the exterior of the Mansion would complement the Oklahoma State Capitol. Having 19 rooms, today the 14,000 square-foot Mansion has 12, including a library, parlor, dining room, grand ballroom, kitchen, sun room and five bedrooms.

[edit] History

Governor Henry S. Johnston was the first governor to live in the Mansion. However, due to his impeachment he lived there only three months. Governor William H. Murray was the first governor to spend a full term in the mansion. Murray was Governor of Oklahoma when the Great Depression hit. Hoping to help hungry Oklahomans, Murray brought a team of mules to the mansion in order plow up a large portion of the lawn, which he personally did himself. Converting the grounds into a vegetable garden where the poor were invited to plant vegetables. Due to Murray's colorful personality, the urban legend around Oklahoma City is that the Ghost of Murray still resides in the mansion, watching over all future governors. When Governor E. W. Marland took office in 1935, oil was discovered on the mansion property. The Legislature took advantage of the fact by placing an oil well on the mansion grounds, and it remained there throughout the 1930's and 1940's.

In the 1960's, a temporary heliport was added to the Mansion so that President Lyndon B. Johnson would have a place to land the President's helicopter. A concrete slab was quickly poured for the President's visit. Once President Johnson left, the slab was converted to a private tennis court. In the following decade, Oklahomans raised money for a private swimming pool in the shape of Oklahoma.

[edit] The Mansion today

Under the Governorship of Frank Keating, in 1995 the Governor's Mansion saw a massive renovation. Governor Keating called on every-day Oklahomans to help with the remodeling and many responded. To help finance the project, the Friends of the Governors Mansion, Inc was established to raised funds.

Extensive structural work was done to keep the kitchen capable of preparing state dinners. However, the existing red and black granite countertops (from Granite, Oklahoma) installed in the early 1990s were preserved. The library's walnut paneling and moldings have been restored to both their original luster and the room's 1928 color-scheme of rich burgundy, gold and green. A Persian rug was added to the ballroom's original maple wood floor. The ballroom's windows, chandeliers and moldings were recreated to match to originals from 1928. Also, over the years, the Mansion's 19 rooms on three floors have been reduced to 12 to increase living space.

Currently, Governor Brad Henry and his family live in the five rooms on the second floor. All key furnishings on the floor were donated to the Governor by Oklahoman. However, as property of the state, they will remain with the Mansion for future Governors.