"We are heartbroken by the fire that has ravaged the Texas Governors Mansion. It has not only been our home for the past eight years, but has stood as a symbol of Texas pride throughout its history. Though it can certainly be rebuilt, what Texas has lost today can never be replaced."
"We are grateful to all the fire fighters who worked heroically to save this historic landmark and Texas treasure. And like all Texans, we hope that this remarkable building, which has served as the home for our family and other Texas governors' for the last 150 years, can be saved and restored."
Submit your memories of the Governor's Mansion in the comments of this post.
For facts about the Texas Governor's Mansion, please visit this link.
Political advertisement paid for by Texans for Rick Perry
Comments
Governor's Mansion
The rascal that set fire to "our" Governor's Mansion has got to be caught and put away for life.
When I was involved with TFRW, Flower Mound Leadership or any other group the highlight of the visit was to tour the Texas Governor's Mansion. So much Texas History that the taxpayers paid for.
I am very thankful that Governor Perry and his family were not in the mansion and also happy that the historical furniture had been stored.
We will pray that this is brought to court very soon.
Respectfully,
Avie Raburn
Texas Governor's Mansion-transporting history
The Texas Governor's Mansion means a lot to me for several reasons.The mansion is the setting of my first book, Maggie Houston, which tells the true story of Governor Sam Houston's political courage to support the Union when Texas joined the Confederacy. The story is told from the viewpoint of his daughter, Maggie. The mansion also means a lot to me because it was one of my favorite places and subjects for the Texas governor's website. I was webmaster to George W. Bush while he was governor and the first two years of his presidency in the White House. I posted many photos of the governor's mansion on the governor's office website during my service (1998-2001) to Texas.
More importantly, like many historic places, the Texas Governor's Mansion provides a strong sense of history to those who live there. Governors and their families know they won't live get to live in such a beautiful place of history forever. Residing in a historic home reminds them that their time is short, so they better get to work and do their best to uphold their office. Living within history's walls is an inspirational reminder of their own place in history. Knowing that others have gone before them and other leaders will follow inspires governors to answer their own call to leadership. The Texas Governor's Mansion transcends generations and transports history to the future. I can't wait to see it rebuilt!
Jane Hampton Cook
www.janecook.com, jane@janecook.com
author Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War, 2007
The Faith of America's First Ladies, 2006
Maggie Houston: My Father's Honor, 2002
Mansion Fire
I was a young association executive in the mid 1980's when my association was invited to an event sponsored by Governor Mark White. I was privileged to attend the event and wandered around the beautiful mansion. I was struck by the spacious rooms filled with wonderful antiques. Somewhere in my personal photo archives is the photograph taken of myself with Governor White. I remember that I kept my Republican party credentials from him, but enjoyed having my picture taken with the governore, nonetheless.
David Moody
GOVERNOR'S MANSION IN TEXAS
JOSEPH R. MCGOOKIN, JR., SFO
Unfortunately I have been living in Texas since 2000, but never had the privilege of visitng the Lone Star's Governor's residence. My heart goes out to the people of Texas. I feel deprived of not seeing it now.
Best wishes to Governor Perry and his family.
Mansion Fire - Memories of Lady Bird
Favorite Mansion Memory
My favorite Mansion memory is Jewel's reception last July. It was so kind of Rick and Anita to open their home for the celebration. The grounds were beautifully prepared and everyone had a great time. It will be one of my favorite Weber/Perry family moments forever!
We will survive!
Dear Fellow Texans,
I am an author and free-lance writer. I’ve written forTexas Parks Texas
I was so shocked an appalled at this grave desecration of Texas History that I was literally speechless for a few days.
Texas History is more than history. It’s the American story. Nowhere in theUnited States
And because we have that history – there’s one thing you can count on:
“We are Texans – we will rebuild.”
God Bless Governor and First Lady Anita Perry and know that we all support you.
thank you,
Marsha Wilson Rappaport, Galveston
My family is heartbroken
My family is heartbroken about the devestating Mansion fire. We pray it will be rebuilt. My grandfather, Elbridge Hurt (a Circuit Judge), was married in the Mansion to Governor Ireland's daughter, Rosalie. Growing up, we were told that it was the first wedding in the Mansion, although I've been unable to confirm this on Internet searches. Governor Ireland served from January 1883 to January 1887.
Governor's Mansion #2
The Jean and Price Daniel House
The exterior of the Jean and Price Daniel House is patterned after the Greek Revival style Texas Governor's Mansion, built by Abner Cook between 1854 and 1856. Although Cook's plans for the Austin mansion included wings on either side of the house, they were not added due to insufficient funds. The wings of the Price Daniel House were constructed in the Greek Revival style; the balustrades and Ionic columns of the house were patterned after those built by Cook. Except for the entry hall and stairs, the interior of the Price Daniel House is unlike that of the Governor's Mansion.
Construction of the Price Daniel House began in May 1982 and was completed in December 1983. The 7,318 square foot house was officially opened in April 1984. In 1985, the Daniels, reserving a life interest in the house, donated the home and ten acres to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Full ownership passed to the State of Texas in October 1998. Officially known as the "Jean and Price Daniel Home and Archives," the house preserves and displays the library, archives, furniture, and mementos that document the Daniels' lives and years of public service. Artifacts of interest in the home include two paintings by Porfirio Salinas; official portraits of Jean and Price Daniel; and many awards given to the Daniels.
The Price Daniel House, maintained and funded by the Atascosito Historical Society, is located on the grounds of the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, a part of the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Located 3 miles north of Liberty on FM 1011, off of State Highway 146, the Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM. Free admission. For further information, telephone 936-336-8821 or write PO Box 310, Liberty, TX 77575-0310. Tours are available by appointment; group tours must be arranged two weeks in advance.
Comments or complaints regarding programs and services of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission may be addressed to: Director and Librarian, PO Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927; 512-463-5460; fax 512-463-5436.
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JEAN AND PRICE DANIEL
Price Daniel, the son of Marion Price and Nannie Partlow Daniel, was born October 10, 1910 in Dayton, Texas. He attended Baylor University, where he earned a BA in Journalism (1931) and a law degree (1932). Daniel practiced law until 1938 when he was elected a state representative. In this position (1939-1943), he fought against a state sales tax and was involved in the development of the Trinity River. He became speaker of the Texas House of Representatives in 1943; he later enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army. In 1944, Daniel enrolled in Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 1st lieutenant.
While Texas Attorney General (1947-1953), Daniel fought against price fixing and organized gambling, and began his defense of the Texas tidelands. He continued the struggle into the U.S. Senate (1953-1957) and co-sponsored legislation that confirmed state ownership of the land. As senator, he fought against communism and drug trafficking. Daniel was governor of Texas from 1957 to 1963 and from 1967 to 1969 served as director of the U.S. Office of Emergency Preparedness under President Lyndon Johnson. Daniel was an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1971 to 1978. For sixteen years, he was a member of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Daniel, who held more high state elective positions that any other Texan, died on August 25, 1988.
On June 28, 1940, Price Daniel married Jean Houston Baldwin, a great-great-granddaughter of Sam Houston. Born on February 13, 1916 to Franklin T. "Star" and Jean Houston John Baldwin, Jean Daniel attended Rice University and the University of Texas, where she graduated cum laude with a BA in English. As First Lady of Texas, Mrs. Daniel established the Texas Governor's Mansion Historical Collection in Austin and published the first comprehensive inventory of Mansion's furnishings. From 1988 to 1992, she served as a member of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Jean and Price Daniel had four children: Price Jr., Jean, Houston, and John.
The Daniels' contributions to historical preservation have been numerous. They co-authored two books, Executive Mansions and Capitols of America (1968) and The Texas Governor's Mansion (1985). In 1973, they donated the 110-acre site for the Sam Houston Center.
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The only reason for putting this information in the records is for the knowledge that the Mansion will be as before and we can have the solace of knowing that in out current feelings of sorrow. Texas will survive and revive.
C. Scott Parker
My first visit to the
My first visit to the Governor's Mansion was in 1984 as a young Eagle Scout. Every time I've visited it since, I still remember the excitement that came with that first visit -- meeting the governor of our state and standing in a home that had housed the chief executive since the 1850s. Nearly 25 years later, I still cannot walk past the Mansion without that same sense of wonder. The arsonist may have temporarily robbed us of a physical place, it but the Mansion -- and what it represents in the hearts of Texans young and old -- stands strong.