Texas Governor's Mansion Burns
By Margaret Foster | Online Only | June 9, 2008
Yesterday a fire damaged one of the most important buildings in Austin, Tex. The Texas Governor's Mansion, empty during a $10 million renovation, has been home to the state's senior official since it was completed in 1856.
A site investigation and video survelliance has led the state fire marshal to suspect that arson is a likely cause.
A National Historic Landmark, the Greek revival building is the oldest governor's mansion west of the Mississippi River, and ranks fourth oldest in the country. President George W. Bush lived in the mansion from 1995 until 2000, when he moved to the White House.
"It's a huge deal in this city; everyone's going nuts here," says Krista Gebbia, executive director of Preservation Texas, based in Austin.
Do you know the top causes of fire in historic buildings? Order Fire Safety and Historic Buildings, a new Preservation Book ($10) at http://www.preservationbooks.org or call 202-588-6296.
Credit: NTHP
Gebbia says her group plans to work with the state historic preservation office to ensure that every effort is made to repair the 9,050-square-foot mansion, whose roof and interior were damaged in the June 8 fire.
"I believe it's salvageable," Gebbia says. "There will be no expense spared in restoring it."
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Comments
Submitted by patmatricia at: June 12, 2008
.......sure would love to utilize my interior design degree on this project!