The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-01-06
Completion of the Governors House.


The Annapolis correspondent of the
Baltimore Sun, of the LIST instant, gives
tho following interesting description Of
the Governors Mansion, which has just
been completed;
The building erected by the State of Mary.
land for the residence of the Governor hav,
ing been completed, it was to day formally
delivered by the builder, VIM. I. MARYLAND,
of Baltimore, to the committee appointed
by the act of 1868. chap. 4l6, to purchase
the ground and erect a mansion thereon,
consisting of Governor Bowie, ex officio,
twho succeeded Gov. Swami Hon. J. G.
Walsh, Senator from Hartford county; Ferd.
jnand c. I.atrobe, of Baltimore John =.
Brown, of Hartford, and Thomas w. Ham
fnoRd, of Anne Arundel county, members
ofthe House of Delegates, who expressed
themselves pleased with the manner in
which the work has been performed. The
Governors mansion, without exhibiting
extravaganza, is in keeping with modern
taste and modern improvements and ideas,
and crcditable to the public spirit of the
State. 1t is constructed of pressed brick
with marble facings, and light granite
portico in 'front.' supported by light granite
columns, the workmanship of which Is pro
no0nced equal to any granite cutting in the
country.
The mansion is in the centre of an entire
square, about 300 feet by 200 feet in extent,
situated between the State House circle and
the "Church circle OF st. Anne's, and is
visible from the main street of the city,
The building proper is about Go feet square,
not including the projections. 1t is built
in the French chateau style, and has base
ment story, two stories with elevated cell
ings, and an upper story with a Mansard
roof. Its great feature is the large interior
hall open to the roof, and grand massive
stairway, constructed of black walnut and
oak, also reaching TO the upper story, aud
lighted by a skylight, The rooms on the
main floor are en- suite, opening into each
other for use upon occasions OF general re.
ception. The massive double front door is
Of black walnut and elegantly carved. Upon
the upper panels of each the carved work
represents stalks OF ripe corn with foliage,
and the ears Of corn exposing the grain
The central panels represent the coat of
arms Of the State.
The lower panel of the doors represent,
on one side, those choice productions of the
Chesapeake, canvas back ducks aud oysters,
and on the other side terrapins, crabs, &c.
The chandeliers and gas brackets are of the
newest style, and beautiful and elegant de.
signs, us also the mirrors and wall papering.
The large reception room, the state dining
room and other public rooms are not yet
furnished, the State appropriation having
been exhausted. The only rooms furnished
are the private rooms, which will be occu.
pied in few DAYS by the Governor and his
family. Much of the furniture in these
rooms was formerly IN use ia the old govern.
ment house, which was sold to the United
States for the use of the Naval Academy. The
square IS to be surrounded with an iron
railing. upon n substantial granite base, and
the gorkinen are now busily engaged upon
IT A commodious stable has been Duilt
upon al adjoining lot, so as net to mar the
beauty OF the open squata. which contains
no outbuildiGgs whatever. aod which, when
graded and oraaMented with more trees and
shrubbey, Eill present very attractive ap.
psarai,ee.
The appropriation made by the State fol-
the new government house was Sl00, 900
Of which S3l 900 was paid for the ground
leaving but $685. for the mansion, which
has cost about $4,000. The iron railing
&c, will cost about SIG, 900 more. An adj
ditional appropriation by the State will be
required to furnish the public apartments Of
the house and meet the expenses already
incurred. The government house is in.
sured in Baltimore Offices for RIO 800.