Governor's mansion needs repairs, and you can help

By Melanie Blunt

For the past three years, the governor and I have had the privilege of living in the Missouri governor's mansion, a beautiful, historic home. Our family has enjoyed living here and sharing the mansion with the thousands of Missourians who have visited here. When we leave, we will take fond memories of wonderful celebrations and of the precious moments of everyday life with our young son, William Branch.

Matt and I feel strongly that we are stewards of this home and that we should leave the mansion in better condition than it was when we first arrived. Matt has taken that approach in state government, and we both believe we should do the same for the governor's mansion, a place that truly is the people's home.

This is why I am urging members of the legislature to approve Matt's request to use some of the resources from a fund set aside to preserve state buildings in order to make some long-overdue repairs to this historic home. We understand that state funds have not always been available, but they are now without taking money away from any state programs that are supported by general revenue.

Many of the repairs needed at the mansion are critical and have been needed for many years. The roof has leaked for years. Glass panes have fallen out of the windows. Wood is rotting because it has not seen new paint in almost two decades. Plaster is falling because of the water problems. Birds -- and even a raccoon -- have taken advantage of the decay and disrepair in an attempt to make the mansion their home.

If approved, the $3 million for repairs and restoration recommended to us by the not-for-profit Missouri Mansion Preservation Inc. would be used to repair and replace the roof; restore and repaint the windows, trim, cornices and columns; repair the foundation and brick masonry; partially replace the malfunctioning heating and cooling system; and replace the out-of-date first-floor kitchen, which has asbestos under the flooring.

In addition to the state funding that is being requested, Missouri Mansion Preservation will be raising funds privately to replace the fraying carpets, upholstery and window treatments. We believe support for the mansion by the legislature would dramatically improve our ability to raise private funds to preserve this historic building. Because so much work needs to be done immediately, this would be the largest capital campaign in the mansion's 137-year history.

Even though Missouri's first families live here, the mansion is much more than a home for governors. This historic building is one of our state's most popular tourist attractions and a house that is filled with countless Missouri treasures. Tens of thousands of visitors, including many of our youngest Missourians, tour the mansion every year.

A tour of the mansion is one that anyone, young or old, will remember for years to come. It truly is a "handclasp with history," as former first lady Jerry Dalton once said. Inside the mansion are stories of days gone by: the Reconstruction Era, the James gang, the Progressive Era, the Depression and the great postwar boom -- all important parts of Missouri history.

From the mansion's third-floor windows in 1911, first lady Agnes Hadley and her three children watched the Capitol go up in flames. Such notables as the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, Gen. George Custer, British Prime Minister Edward Heath, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, President Harry Truman, William Jennings Bryan, Jefferson Davis and President Bill Clinton are among those who have visited this historic home.

We all understand that the amendment to appropriate funds for these critical repairs to the mansion must be approved by the legislature. Waiting any longer will be even more expensive for taxpayers and potentially dangerous for the mansion's many visitors.

I encourage you to join me in contacting your state legislators today to ask for their support to make these critical repairs to our governor's mansion. These repairs will benefit all Missourians for generations to come.

Matt and I hope you will come to Jefferson City and take a tour of the mansion. We want to share its treasures with you and your family. The governor's mansion is a special place and one that must be preserved.

To view photos of the mansion and to see some of the areas of critical need, visit gov.missouri.gov/firstlady/.

Melanie Blunt is Missouri's first lady.