Austin Travel Guide

Governor's Mansion

The opulent plantation-style mansion that is home to the Texas State governor is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating from 1856. Although it is still very much lived in when the governor is in town, the mansion is open to the public for limited hours each day and many historical artefacts are on display, including portraits of Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, and a collection of mementoes from each administration. Guided tours are offered every 20 minutes during which interesting anecdotes are related about previous governors. The Governor's Mansion closed on October 1, 2007 for up to 18 months for maintenance work. Unfortunately a fire broke out in the building less than a year later, damaging most of the building quite badly and resulting in the need for much more extensive renovations lasting several years. Information regarding the new opening date of the museum and its new hours will be posted on the webiste when tours resume.