The Mississippi Governor's Mansion
The Mississippi Governor's Mansion
Memories of the People's Home
Welcoming its first executive in 1842, the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion is the second-oldest continuously occupied governor’s residence in the United States. The Mansion is both a public building open for tours and the private residence of the governor and his family. In this unique book, readers are invited to explore the entirety of the building, from the attic to the garage and everything in between.
The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion: Memories of the People’s Home is the first book of its kind dedicated to images and stories about the Governor’s Mansion. The volume reveals Governor Phil Bryant’s profound respect for the office he holds and his deep appreciation for the National Historic Landmark in which he resides. Through his personal, often touching reflections, Governor Bryant pays tribute to former governors, their families, and the many public servants who have dedicated their lives to taking care of this beautiful Greek Revival masterpiece.
More than sixty elegant watercolor paintings by noted Mississippi artist Bill Wilson accompany the governor’s stories. Wilson captures the beauty and majesty of the home, its furnishings, and the restored historic grounds. The volume also features a personal foreword by First Lady Deborah Bryant inviting readers into her home, an artist’s statement by Wilson, and a brief historical essay written by Mansion curator Megan Bankston.
Mississippians are blessed to have a historic Governor’s Mansion that has been faithfully preserved and beautifully updated since its restoration during Bill Waller’s term in the early 1970s. It is the second oldest continuously occupied governor’s mansion in the United States, and it is recognized as a gem. The art within the mansion is a special treasure. Governor Phil Bryant’s book about this wonderful home is a gift to our citizens, which should remind us to honor the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion with dignity and respect.
Elise and I are so pleased that Governor Bryant has produced such a lovely and enlightening book about the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, giving us all a glimpse into his time in the state’s official executive residence and National Historic Landmark. With its lovely illustrations and personal accounts, it is a treasure for all Mississippians. Like the Bryants, the Winter family felt so privileged and fortunate to have had the opportunity to occupy this magnificent home, and it will always be one of the highlights of our lives. As First Lady Deborah Bryant states, ‘We made more precious memories in the house than we can count.’ Elise and I congratulate Governor Bryant on a lovely account and a valuable and historic tool for years to come.
Phil Bryant served as the sixty-fourth governor of Mississippi after serving as lieutenant governor, state auditor, and as a member of the state legislature. He is also a former law enforcement officer and adjunct professor of American government at Mississippi College. Deborah Bryant was first lady of Mississippi. She is the director of community development for Community Bank and formerly worked in quality and performance improvement at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. Bill Wilson is a transplanted Alabama native and has been a proud Mississippian for fifty of his fifty-seven years. He has been a working artist for the past thirty years and spent three years as artist-in-residence at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion.
