Original Governor's Mansion

 

Despite local lore, William A. Chessman had the house designed by the firm of Hodgson, Stem, and Welter of St. Paul, Minnesota and not by well known architect Cass Gilbert. The house was completed in 1888. It became the executive mansion in 1913.

 

Montana State First Families of the Original Governor's Mansion

1. Samuel V. Stewart, 1913- 1921: Stella Baker; (3) Emily, Marjorie, Leah
2. Joseph Dixon, 1921- 1925: Caroline Worden; (6) Virginia, Florence, Dorothy, Mary Jo, Betty, Peggy
3. John E. Erickson, 1925- 1933: Grace Vance; (3) C. Vance, Ellen, John Cooper
4. Frank Cooney, 1933- 1935: Emma May Poindexter; (7) Francis H., John Philip, Mary Margaret, Walter Poindexter, Tyler Thompson and Virginia Elizabeth (twins), Gage Rodman
5. Elmer Holt, 1935- 1937: Lora Berta Howe; (2) Lorrie, Ben J.
6. Roy Ayers, 1937-1941: Eleanor Simpson; (3) Eleanor, Arthur, Donald
7. Samuel Ford, 1941-1949: Mary Leslie Shobe; (4) Dorothy*(didn’t live in the Mansion), Isabel, Elizabeth, Mary Margaret
8. John Bonner, 1949-1953: Josephine Martin; (5) Josephine, Jacqueline, Patricia, Wilma Jean, Thomas John
9. J. Hugo Aronson, 1953-1959: Rose McClure; (1) Rika (Governor Aronson and family moved to the new executive residence at 2 Carson Street in 1959.)

 

Sources at the Lewis & Clark Public Library

 

1. Paladin, Vivian A. Helena: An Illustrated History. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 1983. 77, 96, 103, 105.
2. Mueller, Elaine. "Log Cabin to Luxury . . . The Treasure State's Executive Residences." Montana Historian 5.3 (1975): 2-7.
3. Baucus, Jean. Helena: Her Historic Homes, Vol 1. Helena, Montana: Baucus and Shanahan, 1976. 27.
4. Campbell, William C. From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch, Vol. 1. Helena, Montana: William C. Campbell, 1951. 58, 190. [Shelfmark M 978.66 C v.1]
5. Liffring, Bob. Tour Train Companion. Helena, Montana: Manx Publishing Co. 33-34. [Shelfmark M 978.66 L]
6. Jacobson, Herbert L., Donald L. Byrd, and Chere Jiusto. Helena: A Historic City. Montana: 1982. 30-31. [Shelfmark M 978.6615 J]
7. Jiusto, Chere. The Heart of Helena: a Historical Tour. Helena, MT: City of Helena, 1989. 16.
8. "Silver Tea at New Mansion to Benefit Old One." The Independent Record 29 October 1972: 29.
9. "Furnishings Sought for Old Mansion," Independent Record 2 February 1975: 20.

 

Sources at the Montana Historical Society

 

Research Center

 

1. Paladin, Vivian A. Helena: An Illustrated History. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 1983. 77, 96, 103, 105.
2. Mueller, Elaine. "Log Cabin to Luxury . . . The Treasure State's Executive Residences." Montana Historian 5.3 (1975): 2-7.
3. Baucus, Jean. Helena: Her Historic Homes, Vol 1. Helena, Montana: Baucus and Shanahan, 1976. 27.
4. Baumler, Ellen. "Governor's Mansion: The Original Governor's Mansion State House, Family Home," Distinctly Montana Spring 2006, 4:4. 108-115.
5. Campbell, William C. From the Quarries of Last Chance Gulch, Vol. 1. Helena, Montana: William C. Campbell, 1951. 58, 190.
6. Montana Historical Society, Vertical File, Helena, Original Governor's Mansion.
7. National Register sign text.
8. "Silver Tea at New Mansion to Benefit Old One." The Independent Record 29 October 1972: 29.
9. "Furnishings Sought for Old Mansion," Independent Record 2 February 1975: 20.
10. Sanborn Fire Insurance Company. "Helena, Montana." 1892, 1913, 1916, 1930, 1953. Sanborn Collection
11. Helena Board of Trade. Helena Illustrated 1890. 52, 66.

 

State Historic Preservation Office

 

1. "Former Executive Mansion National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form." Lewis and Clark County National Register file. [Note: incorrectly credits Cass Gilbert as the architect.]
2. "The Original Governor's Mansion as an Historic Site." and "The Original Governor's Mansion: Building History." National Register File.
3. Campeau and Crennen, Architects. "Master Plan for Restoration." bluepirnt floorplans, 1975.
4. "Montana's Governor's Original Mansion." Montana Post 18.3 (August-September 1980): 4-6.
5. "The Original Governor's Mansion: New Plans." Montana Post date unknown: 4-5.
6. "Furnishings Sought for Old Mansion." Independent Record 2 February 1975: 20.
7. McAlester, Virginia and Lee, "Victorian Houses 1860-1900: Queen Anne," A Field Guide to American Homes, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.
8. "Stem, Allen H." Architect's Biographical Files.
9. "Hodgson, E. J." Architect's Biographical Files.
10. "Wallinford, Charles Augustus." Architect's Biographical Files.

 

 

Online Resources

 

1. Historic Montana Museums. "Original Governor's Mansion, Helena." <http://mhs.mt.gov/museum/historichouse.asp>.
2. "Silver Tea at New Mansion to Benefit Old One." The Independent Record 29 October 1972: 29.

 

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