State's fixer-upper

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- When walking into the main entrance of the Governor's Mansion, most people are struck by the beauty of the furniture, paintings, the amazing height of the 17-foot ceilings and the feeling of home.

But behind the scenes, the mansion is in need of help.

Paint is chipping, window sills are peeling and window coverings are being rotted by the harsh beaming sunlight streaming through the 135-year-old windows on the first and second floors. Water and the lack of humidity control is causing the plaster to crack, the ceilings to leak and, in one room, slightly sag.

The mansion was built in 1871 and 33 first families have lived in the home.

On the first and second floors the original windows remain, allowing the harsh rays from the sun to fade and destroy fabric on the window coverings, floorings and furniture. The last time the roof was replaced was during the Hearnes administration in the 1960s.

Mary Pat Abele gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson CIty, Mo., last month to show the need for an infusion of cash for urgently needed repairs. Abele is executive director of Missouri Mansion Preservation Inc., a group dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the 135-year-old governor's home. (Julie Smith ~ News Tribune)

Although the state's general budget takes care of maintenance costs, like electrical and plumbing issues and usually the roof and windows, with tight budgets over the last several years the roof and windows have been largely forgotten.

The Missouri Mansion Preservation Inc. (MMPI) in the past has financed restoration of the floors, furnishings and walls. But members of the 30-member board of directors have seen the damages the old windows and leaky roof are causing to the home, and have stepped in and are asking for help.

"Two years ago we decided we really needed to take care of the windows and the roof," said Mary Pat Abele, executive director of MMPI.

"In March of 2006 we sent out a case statement to private donors across the state telling them the money we needed for repairs and for some long-term projects at the mansion," said Tom Rackers, MMPI president. "We asked for $7.8 million for repairs and $10 million for an endowment.

"The response we got was that the private donors were willing to help with the repairs but felt that the state needed help out, too. It was also suggested that we hold off on the endowment until the other repairs were made."

Mary Pat Abele gives a behind the scenes tour of the Missouri Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City, Mo., Jan. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/News Tribune, Julie Smith)

In 2005, shortly after Gov. Matt Blunt was inaugurated and shortly before the birth of the Blunts' son, Branch, the ceiling in the Stark Bedroom on the second floor began to leak and crack. When it was inspected for damages, it was found that the plaster had shifted two inches down. It was replaced. Abele said the area has been both restored and repaired. But there is still a need for some touch-up work, and the ceiling has just began to leak in another area in the room.

'Need to get this fixed'

"It is hard to estimate the costs of the work until someone gets up into the ceiling and looks. It takes years to know the full extent of the damage due to the roof leaks," Rackers said. "Our main concern is safety and we need to get this fixed."

In the Sleigh Bedroom located on the third floor a window pane fell several inches, leaving a portion of the window totally open. Minor repairs were made and now a small two by four holds the pane in place. While the glass in the windows on the third floor has been replaced, the wood has not.

"To keep putting money into restoration is extremely expensive," Rackers said. "We really need to make the repairs to the roof and all of the windows to make the restoration efforts last and to continue to make the mansion a safe place for the first family and for visitors."

"We are looking for windows with UV protection to help protect the items we have and the items that are sometimes loaned to us," Abele said.

The ceiling in the main entrance is a prime example of a repair made about five years ago that once again needs to be fixed. The front panel of the ceiling is bubbling and water marks are slightly visible. Even though the area was fixed, without the roof repairs the leaks will continue throughout the home.

"This is the people's home as well as the governor's home," Rackers said. "It just amazes me the knowledge the Blunts have of the history of the mansion and the support they give the preservation committee."

Missouri's Governor's Mansion is one of only three remaining in the country that was specifically built for governor of the state and remains the home of the governor. The mansion also boasts the best collection of Renaissance-era furnishings in the country, according to Abele. MMPI is also the most active restoration group n the country and was established by Carolyn Hearnes in 1974.

When asked if there was a time frame for repairs to be completed, Rackers said: "We know it needs to be done and that is why we are here asking not only for the state legislature's help and the public's help.

"It would be a disaster for things to start falling apart and then not able to be properly repaired and restored, or for someone to get injured and at that point who knows what the cost would be. The mansion needs these repairs immediately."

There are more than 60,000 visitors to the mansion annually and about 60 events held each year at the mansion including a summer manners course for area youth.