Get Out of the House! Historic Governor’s Mansion

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daniel Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Much like F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyo. has a strong sense of heritage and connection to its history.

Many of the buildings both on base and in the city are on the National Historical Register and one of the most recognizable structures in Cheyenne is the Historic Governors' Mansion.

Built in 1904 shortly after Wyoming gained its statehood in 1890, a vacant lot was purchased on the corner of 21st Street and House Ave.

The location of the mansion was chosen both for its proximity to the State Capital -- five blocks away -- and its location in an easily accessible area for the public.

The mansion has never been fenced in, nor was security ever used during it's time housing the 19 different State Governors and their families who lived there between 1904 and 1976.

Among them was the America's first female governor. Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected in 1925 to finish her late husband, Governor William B. Ross' term. She was the state's 14th governor and held the position until 1927.

After the family of Governor Ed Herschler moved to the Governor's Residence near Frontier Park in 1976, the Historic Governor's Mansion was restored to match different time periods and reopened in 1977.

After the renovations, each room in the three-story building represents era's spanning the more than 70 years the mansion housed Wyoming governors and their families.

The basement of the mansion has displays of the architectural work that went into the home, laundry facilities, fallout shelter and staff apartment.

While visiting the Historic Governor's Mansion, a walking tour of the neighborhood is also available. Many of the Queen Anne style homes in the neighborhood were built in the 1880's and 1890's, some of the homes along House Ave. were moved from Fort D.A. Russell between 1890 and 1894.

Admission to the Historic Governor's Mansion is free to the public along with many events the historical site hosts every year.

While June and July will have many activities, including the Merci Train Exhibit, a Wyoming Day Celebration June 29th and activities focused around Cheyenne Frontier Days through the last part of July.

December is a very busy month at the mansion. The mansion will be closed from early October through late November for preventative maintenance, afterward a Tinsel through Time exhibit will be on display through the end of December. During this time two tea parties will be held, one for children and one for adults, three Evening at the Mansion events and a Christmas in the West presentation. While the Adult Holiday Tea Party will require an admission, all other events are also free to the public.

Summer hours begin June 1st and go through Sept. 30. During the summer, the mansion is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In the winter the mansion is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and open by appointments only Tuesdays.

For more information on the Historic Governor's Mansion call 773-7878, or visit www.wyoparks.state.wy.us.