Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion, Cheyenne

Construction began in 1904, and one year later it became the new home of the Governor of the Great State of Wyoming. Governor Bryant B. Brooks was the first Wyoming Governor to take residence in what is now known as The Historic Governor’s Mansion. Governor Brooks, First-Lady Mary Naomi Brooks, five children, and one pony, had taken up residence in the brand-new Governor’s Mansion.

The Governor’s Mansion was regal, yet modest really. It was built just 14 years after Statehood, on a vacant lot 5 blocks from the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne. The Governor’s Mansion cost a total of 33,253 dollars and 29 cents. And that included the 3,000 dollars to buy the lot, landscaping charges of 2,036 dollars, and all the furnishings. The 2-and-a-half story house had a full basement, and a separate carriage house, built in classic Georgian style, highlighted by 4 Corinthian columns.

Historic Governors Mansion Cheyenne Wyoming
Historic Governors Mansion Cheyenne Wyoming

The Historic Governor’s Mansion would be home to 19 Wyoming Governors and their families, including the first female Governor in America, Wyoming Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross. The home, right there at 21st and House in Cheyenne, is a popular tourist destination these days, that served as home to first families for more than 70 years.

Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross

Nellie Tayloe Ross, Wyoming’s first lady, wife of Governor William Bradford Ross, would become Governor herself. And when she did, in 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross, Governor of Wyoming, became the first female Governor in America. It was really under tragic circumstances that Mrs. Ross ultimately assumed the State’s highest office. Governor William Bradford Ross would die in office, in October of 1924. And it was the First Lady, Nellie Tayloe Ross, who would be the Democratic Party replacement, would win the election, and be inaugurated Governor of Wyoming on January 5, 1925.

Nellie Tayloe Ross was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1876. Her family would move to Omaha, Nebraska, where Nellie would eventually teach kindergarten. It was in 1902, at age 36, when Nellie Tayloe met and married William Bradford Ross, and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming. William Bradford Ross would begin a lucrative law practice, and in 1922, would be elected Governor of Wyoming, and Nellie Tayloe Ross became First Lady.

Nellie Tayloe Ross would serve as Governor of Wyoming for two years, from January of 1925 through January 1927. She made an unsuccessful run at re-election, but former-Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross would stay active in public service. She was appointed vice-chairman of the Democratic National Committee in 1928 and moved to Washington, D.C., where she really became a local celebrity. Nellie Tayloe Ross would campaign for Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932, and in 1933 she would be appointed Director of the United States Mint by the President, an office she held for 20 years. Nellie Tayloe Ross, America’s first female Governor, and former Governor of the Great State of Wyoming would live in Washington, D.C. until her death in 1977, at the age of 101.

Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion Resources

Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails
wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/historic-governors-mansion
An opening reception for the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion Tinsel Through Time annual Christmas exhibit is scheduled for November 15 at 4 p.m. This year’s theme is “Stories of Christmas,” and features certain rooms of the house decorated based off of timeless Christmas tales such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and

Historic Governors’ Mansion – Visit Cheyenne, Wyoming
www.cheyenne.org/listing/historic-governors-mansion/117
Home of Wyoming Governors from 1905 to 1976. This is a state historic site. Winter Hours: (November 18 – December 24) AND (January 17 – May 31) Wednesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday Tuesday: By appointment only Summer Hours: (June 1 – September 30): Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday – 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Seasonal Closures: October 1 – November 18 December 24 …

Wyoming’s Historic Governors’ Mansion | WyoHistory.org
www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/governors-mansion
The Historic Governor’s Mansion is located at 300 E. 21st St. in Cheyenne. The state has converted this home for 19 of Wyoming’s first families into a museum that shows domestic life of those governors and families who lived there from 1904 to 1977 when a modern governor’s residence was built. Great effort has been made to restore original furniture and use historically accurate …

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