Artifacts saved, Memories of the Mansion

Memories of the Governor's Mansion

For citizens, the fire at the Governor's Mansion stings. Like the Texas Capitol, which also was severely damaged by fire in the early 1980s, the Mansion was a constant.

The following is a transcript from KXAN Austin News' Jim Swift, who has more on why Texans will feel this loss heavily.           

Anyone who has spent any time at all covering news in this town has spent time at the Governor's Mansion.

"Civil rights, access is a civil right," demonstrators chant in an KXAN archive video.

Over the years, the mansion served as ground zero for anyone trying to convince a governor to do or not do this or that.

"Happy Birthday, Children's Trust Fund," people sing.

The mansion also served as a backdrop for all kinds of celebrations and parties.

For me, there were a couple of memorable occasions.

One before Ann Richards was elected governor, in which she took a young admirer on a tour of the mansion.

"This is a nice house," Richards says.

"The people of Texas are back," celebrants chant.

"You can come and have another interview when I move in the mansion," Richards says.

"Sound good to me," Swift says.

"We'll sit in the gazebo," Richards says.

"All right," Swift says.

And again, after her election, when Richards invited that same young admirer to celebrate her birthday with a Governor's Mansion birthday party.

"It's a beautiful building," says visitor Virginia Thorson. "I know my family's always talked about it, you know, forever."

"It makes me sad, just plain out sad," says visitor Austin Smith.

So whatever comes next for this building, one thing is certain: If it is rebuilt, it will become a rebuilt building.

The historic Governor's Mansion as it was, as we knew it, is gone, a thing of photographs, newsreels, memories.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

 

AFD: Much of structure remains after blaze

Dawn Clopton from the Austin Fire Department reported a "good part of the structure is left" after the fire had been put out. 

"You see people on television who have lost their homes how emotional it is for them; it's the same feeling I have," said former Texas Gov. Mark White. "I think any governor who has lived in that house feels as though that's his home. ... So it's a tragedy, it's a tragedy."

Most of the damage appeared to be confined to the second floor of the mansion. The roof of the mansion's second story had partially collapsed, so firefighters had to consult with structural engineers to gain access for putting out hot spots. 

Fire crews also worked with the State Preservation Office to salvage as much of the historic Greek Revival-style structure as possible. John Donisi, president of the Heritage Society of Austin, spent time in the mansion as an aide to then Gov. Ann Richards.

"It's clearly a huge loss and so troubling if indeed this was an intentional act," Donisi said. "The Mansion is a symbol of tremendous pride for Austinites and Texans, its image embodying our storied past and our bright future. From a historic preservation standpoint, the Abner Cook-designed structure conveyed classic elegance and stood the test of time."

Those who have supported the mansion, like White, already are talking about restoration.

"I'm encouraged it can be saved," White said. "It brings back so many memories. The sadness of this day is just hard to fathom."

 

Historical artifacts saved from fire by renovation project

All of the historical furniture and artwork had been removed from the building during the renovations.

Some pieces are in storage while others were moved to the governor's residence in West Austin. The kitchen was the only room that still had items inside.

Fire Battalion Chief Palmer Buck said AFD's first units arrived to find heavy fire coming from the front porch. "The first-alarm companies encountered heavy fire in both the second story and the second-story veranda," he continued. "They pulled back out, and at one point had a small collapse, went to a second alarm, third alarm, now we're at a fourth alarm. The fire is being fought defensively. That means the firefighters are fighting from the outside."

Construction work inside the mansion has also complicated the firefight, Buck said.

"The problem is a building that is 152 years old [and] has been remodeled several times, which means all types of hidden spaces," he said.