Governor's Mansion State Historic Park

The California Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the governor of California, located in Sacramento, the capital of California. Built in 1877, this beautiful house was bought by the State of California in 1903 and has been the home of the state's governor for many years. Fourteen different governors have lived there, from 1903 to 1967, and again from 2015 to 2019.

Since 1967, the mansion has been cared for by California State Parks and is now known as Governor's Mansion State Historic Park. Visitors can explore the mansion and learn about its history and the important people who have lived there. It is a special place that helps us remember California's past and the leaders who helped shape the state.

History

The thirty-room, three-story Second Empire-Italianate Victorian mansion was built in 1877 for a local businessman named Albert Gallatin. In 1903, the state of California bought the house to be the official home for the state’s governor.

Many pieces of furniture inside still belong to past governors, like a piano from 1902, velvet chairs, and special rugs.

State park

In 1967, the state turned the mansion into a historic park managed by California State Parks. In 1970, it opened as a museum for people to visit.

In 2015, the mansion became the governor’s home again after being fixed up. In 2019, the new governor and his family stayed there for a short time before moving to a different house.

Stanford Mansion

Main article: Leland Stanford Mansion

The Leland Stanford Mansion was once the home of Leland Stanford, who was the 8th Governor of California and started Stanford University. Today, it is used as a special place for the State of California to welcome important visitors from other countries and for special events.

The mansion also has a workspace where the governor can meet and work.

Casa de los Gobernadores

Main article: Casa de los Gobernadores

Casa de los Gobernadores was built between 1974 and 1975 in the Sacramento suburb of Carmichael. It was meant to be the new official home for the governor. However, it was finished after former governor Reagan’s time in office ended, so he never lived there. The next governor, Jerry Brown, chose not to live in the mansion either. In 1982, the state sold the house, and it is now a private home.