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California's executive mansion, popularly known as the Governor's Mansion, was built in 1877 for Albert and Clemenza Gallatin. Albert was a partner in the Sacramento hardware store of Huntington & Hopkins. The State of California purchased the house from Joseph and Louisa Steffens to use as a home for California's first families in 1903 for $32,500. Victorian architecture was somewhat out of style by then, but the house was suitably impressive, conveniently located, and comfortable.
Governor George Pardee, his wife Helen and four daughters were the first residents of the "new" Governor's Mansion. During the next 64 years it was home to the families of 12 other governors. Among these were Nina and Earl Warren with six children, and Nancy and Ronald Reagan with their two children. Warren later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Reagan became president of the United States.
Today's guests see marble fireplaces from Italy, gold framed mirrors from France, and exquisitely handcrafted hinges and doorknobs, all of which are reminders of the Gallatins and the Victorian era. Outside some of the Mansion's abundant vegetation includes flowers, shrubs, and trees dating back to 1877. But when visitors look behind the grape stake fence and see Governor Brown's swimming pool built in 1959, they are reminded that the Governor's Mansion State Historic Park is really a walk through time.
Getting There
The park is located at the corner of 16th and H Streets in downtown Sacramento; metered parking is available on both 16th and H Street. A small gift shop is located in the carriage house, where the entry fees are collected and the tour orientation begins.
The park is located at the corner of 16th and H Streets in downtown Sacramento; metered parking is available on both 16th and H Street. A small gift shop is located in the carriage house, where the entry fees are collected and the tour orientation begins.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours, Contact & Fees
The park is open daily from 10am until 5pm.
Guides conduct tours on the hour from 10am until 4pm
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Admission Fees:
Adults $5
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children are free (5 and under)
Telephone: 916-323-3047
The park is open daily from 10am until 5pm.
Guides conduct tours on the hour from 10am until 4pm
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Admission Fees:
Adults $5
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children are free (5 and under)
Telephone: 916-323-3047
The Garden
By 1880 the Gallatins had spent a considerable sum of money in landscaping their property. Their carriage house, now containing the park’s newly remodeled Visitor Center/Museum Store, flanks the mansion. A long-gone gazebo once stood where the kidney-shaped swimming pool is now located. The pool was built for Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown by his friends in 1959; it is part of the historic changes to the preserved landscape. A vibrant assortment of flowers, trees and shrubs planted over the years thrive today. Specialty garden tours may be requested.
By 1880 the Gallatins had spent a considerable sum of money in landscaping their property. Their carriage house, now containing the park’s newly remodeled Visitor Center/Museum Store, flanks the mansion. A long-gone gazebo once stood where the kidney-shaped swimming pool is now located. The pool was built for Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown by his friends in 1959; it is part of the historic changes to the preserved landscape. A vibrant assortment of flowers, trees and shrubs planted over the years thrive today. Specialty garden tours may be requested.
History of the Home
Albert and Clemenza Gallatin’s mansion was built in 1877 as a symbol of their wealth and status. Albert worked as a porter at Huntington Hopkins Hardware in 1861, married Clemenza in 1866 and was promoted to manager by 1867. The Second Empire Italianate house that they commissioned from architect Nathaniel Goodell secured their standing in the community. The Gallatins moved to San Francisco in 1887 and sold the home to friends Joseph and Louisa Steffens, parents of author Lincoln Steffens.
The State of California purchased the property from the Steffens family in 1903 to serve as the first official home for California’s governors and their families. Although by then considered old-fashioned, the executive residence was spacious and comfortable, was suitable for entertaining and was within walking distance of the Capitol.
In its official role, the Governor’s Mansion was no longer just a residence; it operated as a reception space, a home office, a location for dinner parties and political gatherings, and a security and communications hub. As a family home it had to be warm and welcoming, efficient and organized, but most of all, a private refuge for a very public family. Added to all this, it had to be adaptable to changing circumstances from one administration to the next.
Visitors today might think that the Governor’s Mansion is just another Victorian era house museum. While the interior space is largely original to 1877, the accumulation of furnishings from 13 different first families indicates a more recent past. Subtle reminders in every room, like the 1950s Sylvania black and white television set in the informal parlor, show that contrasts abound in this four-story house.
Since anything purchased for the mansion with state money had to remain here, the mansion today holds an eclectic but agreeable mix of objects ranging from the exquisite to the mundane. This accumulated blend of styles and tastes, and the stories that go with them, make the historic Governor’s Mansion a unique window into California history.
Albert and Clemenza Gallatin’s mansion was built in 1877 as a symbol of their wealth and status. Albert worked as a porter at Huntington Hopkins Hardware in 1861, married Clemenza in 1866 and was promoted to manager by 1867. The Second Empire Italianate house that they commissioned from architect Nathaniel Goodell secured their standing in the community. The Gallatins moved to San Francisco in 1887 and sold the home to friends Joseph and Louisa Steffens, parents of author Lincoln Steffens.
The State of California purchased the property from the Steffens family in 1903 to serve as the first official home for California’s governors and their families. Although by then considered old-fashioned, the executive residence was spacious and comfortable, was suitable for entertaining and was within walking distance of the Capitol.
In its official role, the Governor’s Mansion was no longer just a residence; it operated as a reception space, a home office, a location for dinner parties and political gatherings, and a security and communications hub. As a family home it had to be warm and welcoming, efficient and organized, but most of all, a private refuge for a very public family. Added to all this, it had to be adaptable to changing circumstances from one administration to the next.
Visitors today might think that the Governor’s Mansion is just another Victorian era house museum. While the interior space is largely original to 1877, the accumulation of furnishings from 13 different first families indicates a more recent past. Subtle reminders in every room, like the 1950s Sylvania black and white television set in the informal parlor, show that contrasts abound in this four-story house.
Since anything purchased for the mansion with state money had to remain here, the mansion today holds an eclectic but agreeable mix of objects ranging from the exquisite to the mundane. This accumulated blend of styles and tastes, and the stories that go with them, make the historic Governor’s Mansion a unique window into California history.
Accessible Features
Original carriage house/visitor center and a unisex restroom are generally accessible. Historic house museum tours are available hourly. The first floor is fully accessible using a 42” long wheelchair lift. Captioned Videos are shown in the Carriage House; one provides visual access to upper floors. Parking: Metered street parking only. Call for more information.
Original carriage house/visitor center and a unisex restroom are generally accessible. Historic house museum tours are available hourly. The first floor is fully accessible using a 42” long wheelchair lift. Captioned Videos are shown in the Carriage House; one provides visual access to upper floors. Parking: Metered street parking only. Call for more information.
Community Trips
--------------------------------This trip was created with the REI Bike Your Drive App
