My Love Story in the Governor's Mansion

It's always fun to tour old mansions but it's a real treat
when you get to visit the governor's residence.

Besides its fascinating history,
this mansion has a romantic story most people don't know about.
More about that later.

Completed in 1908, it was a family residence for a Denver pioneer named Walter Cheesman.
In 1923 Charles Boettcher purchased it and later donated the mansion 

to the state of Colorado to serve as the governor's residence. 

The late Georgian Revival mansion is grand and stately
and sits atop a hill facing the Rocky Mountains.

We lined up at the impressive entrance to take the free holiday tour. 

The mansion was decorated for the holidays with a period theme in each room.

I had hoped we would see where the families actually lived but the tour was limited
to the main floor where we got to see the state dining room and the great hall.

Two of my favorite details were the gorgeous ceilings

and the hand-turned wood staircase.

There was even a bar (gift shop) just inside the front door.
How convenient Gov!
We were told it had been the gentlemen's smoking room
and was now decorated in a 1940s style with a nod to Aspen's J-Bar. 

One of the rooms recognized famous women of early years in Colorado.

I especially liked the Christmas tree with photos of some of these courageous women.

I felt right at home wearing my 1920s hat and faux leopard jacket. 

The piano (far right) in this old-world room was signed by Liberace.

This breathtaking chandelier once hung in the White House in 1876
when President Grant celebrated America's centennial and the year
Colorado was admitted to the Union. 

So you're probably wondering about that romantic story I mentioned earlier.
Let me tell you what happened.

Twenty-eight years ago there was a special event at the governor's mansion.
A photographer was covering the event for his TV station
and a woman was there with a school group.
They said hello and 28 years later we're still together.
Meant to be. 

The governor's mansion will always be a special place to us.

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