Governor's Mansion

What to know

The Texas Governor's Mansion, located at 1010 Colorado Street in downtown Austin, is a historic Greek Revival-style home that has served as the official executive residence of Texas since 1856. It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited house in Texas, as well as the oldest continuously occupied governor's mansion west of the Mississippi River and the fourth oldest in the United States. Currently, Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Phalen Abbott reside here. Designed and supervised by prominent architect Abner Hugh Cook, construction began after the Texas legislature appropriated $17,500 on February 11, 1854, which included $2,500 for furnishings. Completed in 1856, the two-story building features bricks made locally in Austin and distinctive pine columns crafted from Bastrop pine. It occupies the center of a city block surrounded by lush trees and gardens. Governor E.M. Pease became the first chief executive to occupy the mansion, spending his first night there on June 10, 1856. Over its long history, the mansion has witnessed key moments in Texas lore. According to legend, President Abraham Lincoln reputedly offered Governor Sam Houston federal military assistance during the secession crisis to keep Texas in the Union; Houston is said to have burned Lincoln's letter in one of the mansion's fireplaces. In 1962, the mansion was designated as the very first Texas historic landmark. It was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1974. In recent history, the mansion faced near-destruction. On June 8, 2008, while midway through a major renovation, the home was badly damaged by an arson fire caused by a Molotov cocktail. A meticulous restoration effort was launched, which was successfully completed in 2012, preserving the historic structure. Today, ten of its rooms contain the curated Mansion Collection of fine and decorative arts.

Visitor tips

• Free guided tours are available but require reservations at least one week in advance.
• To request a tour, call 512.305.8524 or email mansion.tours@tspb.texas.gov.
• Tours last approximately 30 minutes and are subject to availability.
• Guided tours are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, as well as Wednesdays through Fridays depending on scheduling.

Nearby context

Nestled in downtown Austin, the Governor's Mansion is situated in a highly historic corridor. Just a short walk away, visitors can explore the Old Bakery & Emporium, another local landmark, or view the nearby Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse. This central location makes the mansion an easy and rewarding stop on any walking tour of Texas's capital city.