Utah Governor's Mansion

Thomas Kearns Mansion and Carriage House
Location 603 E. South Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah
Coordinates 40°46′11″N 111°52′23″W / 40.76972°N 111.87306°W / 40.76972; -111.87306Coordinates: 40°46′11″N 111°52′23″W / 40.76972°N 111.87306°W / 40.76972; -111.87306
Area 9 acres (3.6 ha)
Built 1900
Architect Neuhausen, Carl M.
NRHP Reference # 70000631[1]
Added to NRHP February 26, 1970

The Utah Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Utah and family. It is located at 603 E. South Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]

Built in 1902 by United States Senator and mining magnate Thomas Kearns, the house was designed by notable Utah architect Carl M. Neuhausen, who also designed the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. The elegant home was built using the finest materials by the finest craftsmen available, resulting in a quality and style similar to that of Eastern mansions like those of the Vanderbilts and Carnegies. The mansion also served not only as a home and a place for the Senator to conduct official business, but also as a venue for entertainment where guests would dance and enjoy the music of live orchestras. During this period many political and religious dignitaries were guests in the Kearns mansion, including President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a personal friend of Senator Kearns.[3]

In February 1937 Jennie Judge Kearns donated the Kearns Mansion to the State of Utah after the passing of Senator Kearns. The mansion was donated with the condition that it serve as the Governor's Residence. For the next twenty years the governors of Utah used the mansion as their primary residence. From 1957 to 1977, the Utah Historical Society occupied the mansion as a library, museum, and office space. In 1977, Governor Scott Matheson proposed that the mansion be restored as a governor's residence and, after an extensive renovation, the mansion became a residence once again in 1980.[3]

On December 15, 1993, a fire, caused by faulty wiring on the Christmas tree in the main hall, destroyed much of the mansion. Governor Leavitt was not at home at the time, but Mrs. Leavitt and her staff were quick to notify the Salt Lake City Fire Department, and their response kept the mansion from suffering more significant damage. A long and painstaking restoration was begun, to restore the mansion to its original state and salvage as much of the historical interior as possible.[3]

The $7.8 million restoration brought the home back to its original 1902 style, while providing many current safety standards, such as a fire sprinkler system, new wiring and plumbing, new heating and cooling, a security system, and seismic upgrades.[3]

It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as, and is also known as, the Thomas Kearns Mansion and Carriage House. The listing included two contributing buildings on a 9-acre (3.6 ha) property.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "Utah Heritage Foundation". Guided Tours. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 http://www.utah.gov/governor/mansion/mansion_history.html


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