CONTENTS
FOREWORD
by First Lady Deborah Bryant
ARTISTāS STATEMENT
by Bill Wilson
ENTRANCE/FRONT PORTICO
GOLD PARLOR
STATE DINING ROOM
BACK ROSE PARLOR
FRONT ROSE PARLOR
STAIRCASE
CREAM BEDROOM
GREEN BEDROOM
GOLD BEDROOM
PUMPKIN BEDROOM
THE ATTIC
PRIVATE QUARTERS DINING ROOM
PRIVATE QUARTERS DEN
CONFERENCE ROOM
GOVERNORāS OFFICE
22ND SPECIAL AIR SERVICE REGIMENT STATUE
THE KITCHEN
MAN CAVE MEMORABILIA
TEXACO
THE NOMAD
THE HARLEY
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
BOAR
MISSISSIPPI COWBOY BOOTS
IN COUNTRY
BACK PORTICO
EAST GARDEN
BENCHES
BACK ROSE GARDEN
GARDEN GATE
GARDEN WALL
FIRE HYDRANT
THE BIRDHOUSE
CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH
A BRIEF HISTORY
by Megan Bankston, Curator
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FOREWORD
Phil and I are thrilled to share this beautifully illustrated book with personal accounts from our time living in the Mississippi Governorās Mansion. Over eight years, our love and dedication for this historic residence only grew. We were always mindful that this is the āPeopleās Homeā and that we would only be there for a short time. Before we ever moved into the Mansion, we made conscious decisions to ensure the structure was better than we found it, to make all feel welcome, and to treasure every minute of our time in the house.
The upkeep of a historically significant building is constant. I must praise the staff and maintenance crew who helped keep a watchful eye on the property. One of our first orders of business was a renovation in 2013. Plaster walls and the aging HVAC system had fallen into disrepair. It was a huge undertaking to have three floors of pipes and plaster reconstructed. I will never forget seeing the curator remove each crystal prism from the chandelier in the Gold Parlor. I am proud to say all of the hard work and sacrifice was worth the effort. The Mansion is more beautiful than ever for many generations to enjoy.
One of my favorite things to do as first lady was opening the Mansion to everyone I met. From schoolchildren to civic groups to people in the grocery store, I always invited each one to come see the Mansion. I even met people outside on Capitol Street and invited them in for a tour. These guests always turned out to be the most wonderful blessing to my day.
I especially enjoyed giving folks a tour of the private residence. We were not always able to show where we lived, but I took great pleasure in sharing what was on the āother side of the doorā when I was available. Our son, who is an interior designer, updated the private residence when the entire house underwent the renovation in 2013. This was his way of donating his time and talents to the beautification of the Mansionās living space. Additionally, local companies furnished the private residence, and I loved showing off the beautiful furniture donated to the Mansion, an unprecedented act that will hopefully benefit the next Mansionās executive resident.
We made more precious memories in the house than we can count. The first year, we held our daughterās wedding reception in the East Garden. Years later, we chased our three grandchildren around the brick sidewalks. We hosted a Supreme Court justice, ambassadors, legislators, artists, cowboys, Wounded Warriors, and pediatric hospital patients, just to name a few. Even rock star Mick Jagger made a surprise visit one evening to the delight of all our guests. Each event, each guest, each day will forever be imprinted on our hearts.
We are happy to give you, the reader, a glimpse into the charm and wonder of the āPeopleās Home,ā the Mississippi Governorās Mansion.
āFIRST LADY DEBORAH BRYANT
ARTISTāS STATEMENT
Plein air painting is very special. Plein air comes from the French, meaning painting outdoors or, more universally, painting from life. Youāre right there in the middle of whatever youāre working on, nothing between you and the subject. Itās just you and your paints.
Part of the thrill of plein air painting is that one is stimulated by all of the senses when on location: the sounds, the atmosphere, the smells. Ah, the smells. Is it strange that a visual artist should focus so much on the sense of smell? Maybe. But, from my three years as artist-in-residence at the Governorās Mansion I will remember most the smell of flowers and freshly mown grass in the garden, motor oil in the garage/man cave, and freshly baked cookies as I painted in the kitchen. All that made the place more real, more personal than merely working from photographs.
And letās not forget the smell of history. Yes, history has a smell. The way libraries smell like old books; historical buildings, like the Mansion, seem to smell like your grandmotherās china cabinet, a bit musty, but a mustiness filled with the comings and goings of people and the mark they made. I sat painting for days in nearly every single room in the Mansionāworking, absorbing everything. Sometimes I got butterflies in my stomach thinking about all the history, all the people who had passed through those rooms, 175 years of history. And I felt incredibly honored that I was becoming just a small part of that history by working on this book with one of Mississippiās greatest governors. This is one of the crowning achievements of my thirty-some-odd-year career. I hope the people who read this book will enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed helping to make it.
āBILL WILSON
THE MISSISSIPPI GOVERNORāS MANSION ENTRANCE / FRONT PORTICO
The original entrance to the home offers a grand example of the Greek Revival style so prevalent in the 1800s. The pediment-fronted faƧade welcomes all who pass the great front door. The beauty of the Mansion draws passersby to stop and photograph the old home. Nestled among the tall buildings of downtown Jackson, the Mansion seems almost out of place in...