The Governor's Mansion is situated on the east lawn of the State Capitol grounds on a bluff high above the Kentucky River in Frankfort. It was designed by Kentuckians C.C. and E.A. Weber of Fort Thomas in 1912. The exterior was modeled after the Petit Trianon, Queen Marie Antoinette's villa on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
The design of the Governor's Mansion was a product of its time -- the post Civil War Gilded Age of conspicuous consumption. The building reflects the grand spirit of people who had not yet experienced a severe economic depression or a world war. Great care was spent on the design and the interrelationship of every aspect of the Governor's Mansion with attention to exquisite decorative details executed in high-quality craftsmanship. Historians have speculated that the advent of World War I interrupted the original construction before the interior and gardens could be completed.
The mansion is elegantly proportioned with a front portico that includes four pairs of Ionic columns. A stone balustrade and terrace make an impressive entrance to this historic building. The interior of the mansion reflects the eclectic interest in French Neo-Classicism typical of the Beaux-Arts period. Most lighting fixtures and decorative features such as the ornamental plaster and mantles, are original to the building.
Including our current Governor, Andy Beshear and his family, 26 governors have lived in the mansion. Between 1980 and 1984, the chief executive's home was renovated to its original Beaux-Arts style, which included the simple formal garden based on the original 1913 drawings of the mansion grounds.
The Governor's Mansion is listed on the National Register of the Historic Places. Visit the Governor's Mansion website.
Facility Details
Guided Tours: All tours have been suspended until further notice. If you have any questions, please call Linda Stevens at (502) 564-3449.
Parking: On street or in parking garage next to annex
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Built: 1912 - 1914
Style of Architecture: A Beaux-Arts style; inspiration for the mansion came from French architecture.
Additional Information:
For tour scheduling or any additional information, contact the Capitol Tour Desk at (502) 564-3449.
Location
The Kentucky Governor's Mansion is located at:
704 Capital Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
Please call the following phone number for more information:
(502) 564-8004 or (502) 564-0900