RESTORATION PROJECT

RESTORATION PROJECT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION MID SUMMER 2010

Posted: 06/01/2010

The State Preservation Board plans to begin construction on the exterior of the fire damaged Texas Governor's Mansion in July 2010. The next phase will include restoration of the interiors and renovation of the Mansion grounds. An addition on the west side of the building will provide space for a staircase that meets building codes, and handicapped accessible restrooms on the first floor. The public rooms in the home will return to their appearance before the June 2008 fire.

THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION SOUTHEAST CORNER ON 7-2-2008

Posted: 07/07/2008

This photo, taken 25 days after the fire, shows the columns on the front of the Mansion with banding around them to prevent splitting. These hollow wood columns filled with water from the fire hoses, causing the wood to swell and split. Fortunately, the water drained quickly and the columns are holding together well enough for eventual restoration. The porch railing, a distinctive architectural detail of the 1856 building, survived the fire.

ARCHITECTURAL ITEMS FROM THE MANSION BEING SORTED AND TAGGED ON THE GROUNDS BEFORE STORAGE

Posted: 07/06/2008

Building materials from the interior and exterior of the Mansion are being salvaged. Some items will be preserved and re-used during the building restoration, others will serve as templates for recreating the architectural details. Shown in this photo are bricks from the second floor front of the Mansion, pieces of the columns, and woodwork from the Sam Houston Bedroom.

WOODEN STRUCTURE IN THE KITCHEN SUPPORTS THE FLOOR ABOVE

Posted: 07/04/2008

Construction crews installed wood structures inside the building to shore the second floor, the roof and original brick walls. This photo shows the shoring in the kitchen supporting the second floor above. A temporary roof protects the Mansion from the elements and provides space underneath for construction. The first construction phase of the restoration will begin on the exterior, and plans are progressing for this work.