The 25 Year Delay to The PA Governor's Mansion

PA has one of the more interesting stories of its Governor's mansion.  The Governors' first official residence was on South Second Street in downtown Harrisburg.   Because of the many crisis planning meetings necessary during the Civil War Governor Andrew Curtain concluded the residence was too small.

The next residence for the governor was known as Keystone Hall and was located on North Front Street in Harrisburg.   Unfortunately, it was a large and drafty building with small sized rooms.  Not ideal for conducting business and social events. 

After 79 years of use Governor Arthur James lead the legislative process necessary to procure property at Front and McKlay Streets in Harrisburg in 1941.  However, the onset of WWII delayed the actual building of the $2.5 million Governor's Mansion until 1966.

Now, don't start feeling too sorry for all the governors that had to endure a long wait for their official state home.  Three Governors, lived at the State House, a fieldstone residence at Fort Indiantown Gap.  This was for the adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard. 

Two governors chose to reside in Keystone Hall. The last Governor at Keystone, David Lawrence, sold Keystone Hall at auction for $85,000, and moved his family to the State House. 

After years of postponement, ground was broken for the new Governor’s Residence on November 22, 1966. In December 1968, Governor and Mrs. Raymond Shafer (1967-1971) became the first occupants of the newly constructed home.

Unfortunately planners from the 1940's era neglected on one key factor, the mighty Susquehanna river flood plain.  Less than four years later after the first family moved in the historic Agnes flood of 1972 struck the northeast.  In fact, Governor Milton Shapp (1971-1979) and his family had to be evacuated by boat.  At the peak of the flood waters there was over 5 feet of flood water on the first floor.  It took nearly two years to restore the residence to normal use.

During Governor Thornburgh’s administration, a screened porch was built for the first family. Years later, First Lady Michelle Ridge spearheaded a major garden renovation that visitors continue to enjoy today. 

The latest governor at the time of this writing, Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf continue to live in Tom’s childhood home in York County, but utilize the residence for official functions, meetings and other events.

We recognize the 6 BR mansion for state business and social functions open to the public with the kickoff to our latest Harrisburg PA video.