Original Governor’s Mansion Museum - Helena, MT - History Museums on Waymarking.com

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Original Governor’s Mansion Museum - Helena, MT

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Posted by:  T0SHEA

12T E 420719 N 5159875

For Forty Six years the home of the governor of the State of Montana, in 1959 this mansion was replaced by a new mansion much nearer the capitol building.

This elegant Queen Anne style structure began life in 1885 as a private residence, remaining so until its purchase by the State of Montana in 1913 to become the governor's mansion. It seems strange that the state chose to purchase this house for use as the governor's mansion, as the capitol, built in 1899, was a long ten blocks away. When the new governor's mansion was built adjacent to the capitol building, this structure was first used for offices, then became vacant for a while before being restored and becoming the Original Governor’s Mansion Museum. The museum, open year round with restricted hours through the winter, offers a Virtual Tour of the mansion.

Refurnished with period pieces which would be found in a mansion of this type, the museum presents an authentic replication of how the mansion would have appeared in 1913, both inside and out.

Original Governor’s Mansion

The handsome, three-story pressed brick, terra cotta and stone Victorian mansion was designed by Cass Gilbert in 1884. At a cost of $85,000, the structure was completed in 1885.

Gilbert was a distinguished architect from New York and Minnesota. He insisted on using such materials as brick from Ohio, granite from Vermont, and interior hardwoods from the East and South America. The granite eventually was obtained from the Helena area. The interior has seven fireplaces and twenty rooms.

Fine woodworking in quartered oak, mahogany and cherry is found throughout the home. The main floor of the home included two parlors, a circular dining room, a den, and a very large kitchen.

William A. Chessman was born in Massachusetts in 1830 and spent time at placer diggings in California and Virginia City, Montana, before coming to Helena in 1865. In Helena he worked his way up to become president of the Consolidated Water Company which in future years became the city's water system. In 1875 he married and bought the property at 6th and Ewing.

The mansion at 6th and Ewing was built ten years later in 1885 to become the elegant home of William A. Chessman and family, prominent Helena citizens. The home was furnished in the fashionable decor of the time with fine furnishings and furniture of the period to match the beautiful interior woodwork. The second floor of the mansion was used as sleeping quarters and the third floor was used for social events and recreation. The first floor contained the living, dining, and cooking areas. Victorian style architecture characterized the exterior as well as the interior.

The property was subsequently owned by Peter Larson, a railroad contractor, and G. H. Conrad, a bank official, before being purchased in 1913 by the State of Montana to be the first official governor's mansion.

It has served nine Montana governors during 46 years and was finally replaced by the new executive mansion in 1959.
From the NRHP Nomination Form