Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-02
MEMORIES CENTER IN
MANSION OF GOVERNOR
Teens With Recollec,ions of
Famous Men and Women
Entertained There.
HAS HOUSED PRESIDENTS
scene OF Many brilliant Rcccption,
HAS Undergone Changes nj Hands
OF wives OF Chief Executives und
Now Expresses Hest Taste or stint.
DY I,TtEyT ,v,,~,

Bf BRENT WITT.
what hosts OF memories ccntor n,
the historic home of virginia., CO.
errors. which has stood these nm
urea years ana more In the CnpitoI
oauare! It's broad lines stand ont
win the simplicity that is art.
AGAINST the dark green of the tail
lashoiias and ancient trees, which
FORM Il part Of It's miniature garden
In the heart OF the city. and in The
summer hollyhocks and old-fash-
ioned nowcrs spread the color of
tneir bloom against it's grey walls.
~ is hitting place In which to house
we great men OF the state Just n
stones throw from the Governors
Office In Jefferson's Capitol tho plain
exterior and outline OF the mansion
echo the simplicity OF the Father OF
Colonial architecture In America
inc only original architecture that
This country has ever produced.
Inside the Executive Mansion
proves ono OF the most spacious
residences OF the kind In the South
with rare old Inahoghany furnish
inss and paintings. many OF which
have been there since the mansion
was first built. The interior OF the
inc Governors House. with some o.
It's history and the story OF some OF
great men and women who hay,
crossed It's portals Is of ncvcr-fail-
ing Interest to N!rginians. since to
own such Il residence por their chici
executive. aside from the antiquity
OF home and furnishings, makes a
rare treasure OF which to boast
among other States. Mrs. TrIukle
yesterday entered 10 assume the CON
troll for four years OF this historic
residence and the priceless treasures
Entertained Theodore Roo.rrclt
Much that is lovely and beautiful
has been added to the mansion
through the fine taste Of some sew
eral Governors and their wives. and
II stands today a finished and com
plctc home, suitable for any sort OF
entertaining TO be done Within it's
walls. Under the regime Of MTs. An
drew jackson Montague. who was
hostess to President and Mrs
Theodore Roosevelt. the quaint old
mahoghany pieces. many o. which
had been stored IN the cellar dur
Ing the Victorian" era OF furnish.
inGs. were brought out. done over
and restored to their rightful place
III the Colonial rooms. making III,
Interior in keeping with the archi-
lecture OF the outside and bringing
again the charm OF AN ancient day to
the wide old rooms. To the late Mrs.
Claude Swanson belongs the honor
OF having added the big octagonal
dining room. planned and designed
by her, In which more than afty
guests can be seated ut one time. 1t
is considered one Of the most beau
tiful rooms of it's kind in the coun-
Ivy. Here former President Taft
was entertained ut breakfast by
Governor and Mrs. william Hodges
Mann. There were American beauty
roses on the table and the Governors
m
finished with the Helen pink satin
that was named In honor OF Mr..
Tafts daughter. An old Virginia
menu was served for the President
and the room in the mansion. which
has housed almost every President
since the house was built. WAS pre-
pared for his comfort and conven-
ieRce.
Mrs. Swanson made n brilliant rep
citation for herself as a hostess and
her entertainments were among the
most notable that have ever been
here. During her regime the James
town Exposition was held and the
Governors wife was also hostess OF
the Virginia Building. which she had
superintendent the furnishing OF. MAX
Ing II as nearly as possible rcpresen-
tative of real Virginia home OF the
Colonial days. Here she entertained
the many prominent representa- ;syes
OF foreign governments. brought to
this country for the exposition solely
through the individual effort OF
Harry 81. George Tucker. The Prince
OF Sweden was one OF the foreigners
entertained by Mrs. Swanson at !
was given In his honor. many OF |
Richnond's prcttiest girls being In
vitcd to be In the receiving line with |
the prince.
Reception to New Executive.
Governor and Mrs. Mann were the |
last to hold the annual New Years |
public reception at the mansion. until |
1t was revived this year by Mrs. |
Westmorcland Davis, and they were
also the last To extend the courtesy
of n reception to the incoming exec,l-
tive and his wife. prior to the inaug-
uration. when they were introduced
to Richmond people with the retiring
Governor as host
Governor Henry Carter Stuart and
his wife gave some OF the handsomest
entertainments that have ever been
held I'm the executive mansion during
Its history and the decorations for
their inaugural reception were unus-
ually elaborate. The walls OF the en-
tire lower floor were hung with gar
lands of Southern smilaX and fire.
grant roses OF every shade OF pink
and rose color and seated supper for
nearly 100 guests was served for the
receiving party ut IL o'clock. At one
dance. given by the Stuarts. the man
sion was converted into n forest. with
Spanish moss hanging from the cell
ing and the pillars of the drawing
rooms and hallway covered entirely
with birch bark. Cages of tiny green
and yellow birds sang during the
whole evening and flowers and shrubs
were massed in the corners OF the
room. AT another ball the outdoor