“Where Bill Clinton used to call home”
For more than 60 years, the Arkansas Governor's Mansion has been the focal point of the First Family's public events, including state dinners, luncheons, and other celebrations. Eleven of Arkansas's 45 Governors have lived in the Mansion with their families and pets, and the rooms and grounds of this home hold the memories of their rich history. Each heirloom, painting, and architectural feature adds a sentence to that story. In 1944, the Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by its president, Mrs. Agnes Bass Shinn of Harrison, began a campaign to remedy this deficiency. The first effort to obtain legislative funding for a Governor's residence, attempted in 1945, was a failure. Success came two years later, when Act 257 of 1947 created a Governor's Mansion Commission with an appropriation of $100,000. The Commission selected the old Blind School property as the site, and in December 1947, Governor Ben T. Laney laid the cornerstone of the new structure. Bricks from the old buildings were salvaged and used in the construction of the Mansion; a total of more than 300,000 bricks were required to complete the project.Construction lasted approximately two years, and was supplemented by another $97,000, authorized by Act 401 of 1949. Many individuals played key roles in the planning, construction, and completion of the building, including: Clyde E. Lowry, Chairman of the Governor's Mansion Commission; Frank J. Ginocchio Jr. and Edwin B. Cromwell, architects; Barney Ellis, contractor; and William R. Heerwagen, interior decorator.
Reviews
Important note: You have to call ahead of time if you want a tour. Map takes you to a dead end street behind the mansion.
Self-guided tour of the main floor and upstairs. A lot of memorabilia from over the years, I enjoyed the gowns from all the First Ladies of Arkansas. The ones from the late 1800 and early 1900s are beautiful. The mansion is very beautiful inside and out. The upstairs floors are very creaky which is scary if you are not used to sounds of older buildings.
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Governor's Mansion Arkansas
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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