History
When Richmond became the capital of Virginia during 1779, there was no residence for the governor, but Thomas Jefferson rented one. The state was so poor that they could not pay the rent in time, so they blamed Jefferson for the problem. The state finally paid their rent and built a residence for the governor on the site of the present building.
The law that provided for the construction of the current building was signed on February 13, 1811, by James Monroe with the building being completed in 1813. Monroe's term ended and he was succeeded by George William Smith. Smith, however, was not the first governor to live in the mansion because he lost his life in the burning of the Richmond Theatre saving others December 26, 1811. His successor, James Barbour, was the first governor to live in the mansion. The term "mansion" was not used in the law that authorizing it to be built, but it has been used ever since.
During the Administration of Governor James S. Gilmore III the Mansion was renovated and expanded in an effort to restore the home to its historical appearance, but also to bring the Mansion into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide additional living space for the First Family.
Currently, Governor Bob McDonnell occupies the mansion. His predecessor's wife, Anne Holton, lived in the mansion during the 1970s when her father, A. Linwood Holton Jr., was governor. (Thomas Jefferson's daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph, known as "Patsy", was married to Virginia Governor Thomas Mann Randolph Jr., but never lived in the Mansion).
The Executive Mansion was featured on American Idol (season 5) when Governor Tim Kaine and his wife Anne Holton welcomed Richmond-native and Idol-finalist Elliott Yamin and his family to the mansion on national television.
The Mansion's most notable television appearance occurred on January 31, 2006, when recently-inaugurated Governor Tim Kaine delivered the Democratic response to the 2006 State of the Union address. The address was delivered from the Mansion's historic ballroom.
Tours of the mansion are offered several days a week.
Read more about this topic: Executive Mansion (Virginia)
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