Fri Jul 30 2010
“We want people to feel history – not just read about it.”
First lady Jane Beshear stated the goal of renovating the Old Governor’s Mansion in comments to the monthly “In the Know” breakfast meeting of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, held at the Frankfort Medical Pavilion.
The renovation project is an all-volunteer effort started last fall by the first lady, along with former first ladies, Judy Patton, Libby Jones and Phyllis George Brown and former Gov. Martha Layne Collins.
Numerous businesses have been donating time and materials, with no costs to the state or taxpayers.
“We want the Mansion to be relevant, historical, but useful,” Beshear said as she explained how the residence will be used – much like the Blair House in Washington, D.C. – as a guest house for visiting dignitaries.
Alluding to the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Beshear advised that “company is coming” and the newly renovated structure may house some of the international and national world leaders who have been invited.
Completed in 1798, the Old Governor’s Mansion has been the home of 33 Kentucky governors and 10 lieutenant governors. It has hosted eight U.S. presidents and countless dignitaries, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
The renovated mansion will be officially unveiled to the public on Sept. 19, with a week-long schedule of activities planned prior to the opening.
Future proceeds from tours and specially reserved events will go to two charities: the Kentucky Executive Mansions Foundation (to maintain both Executive Mansions); and the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, which rehabilitates and finds homes for unwanted horses.
Before her formal remarks, the first lady had some personal “breaking news” to share. She announced that last night she and the governor became new grandparents to a baby boy, William Bradley Beshear.
She also received a surprise certificate from the Frankfort Tourism Commission, which “canonizes” her for her “angelic support” of the Riverfront Development.
Tourism director Joy Jeffries gave credit to the first lady for helping to obtain funds for the riverfront study due to be completed the end of July.
For more information on the mansion renovation and special events surrounding the its opening, visit the Web site: kymansioncelebration.org.
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