Summer is slipping by so quickly and yes, I'll admit it, it's been awhile since my last post! Most of you know that my Mom was visiting this summer and all too quickly the time came and went. It's been so hard for me to get back at my computer! Do you ever feel that way...when company leaves you still feel like you are on vacation?! That's how this summer is turning out for me. (*_*)
One of the places that Mom and I visited while she was here was the gorgeous mansion where the Governor of Utah lives. This mansion was built in 1902 by Thomas Kearns who struck it rich with his silver mining company. It is one of the largest governor's mansions in the United States and is located directly above the downtown district in an area called "The Avenues". No expense was spared and the inside is an absolute wonder of wood, marble and of course, silver! It has been used as the Governor's Mansion since 1937. In 1993 a fire casued by a faulty Christmas tree electrical cord ripped through the mansion. It took three years to restore it to its former glory.
Unfortunately, due to security reasons, we were unable to take photographs inside. You may have been lucky enough to view the interior in a past issue of Architectural Digest a few years back. The outside of the mansion is incredible as you can see. The relative softness of the Sanpete oolitic limestone permitted detailed carvings of intricate classical designs to be created for the exterior. Fabulous swags, gargoyles, neptunes and other designs can be seen around the entire exterior and there is also a separate stable behind the mansion complete with intricate carvings and a horses head in the center.
The Governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman, has just stepped down from his position to accept a calling from the President to be the United States Ambassador to China. The new Governor has only been in office for a few days now and promises to be a wonderful Governor to the State of Utah. I hope you enjoy the pictures and can get a feel for this amazing historic building! ~Stacy~
