Governor’s Mansion to stay open

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks Capital District has proudly announced that, due to generous corporate partnerships and community support, the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park is now officially off the closure list and will remain open and operating during the 2012-13 fiscal year.

The official announcement was made by Al Howenstein, California State Historic Governor’s Mansion Foundation chairman, along with Ruth Coleman, California State Parks director, Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, John Laird, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, and with Governor Jerry Brown in attendance at a “Celebrate the Mansion” open house event on the historic grounds at the Governor’s Mansion SHP.

Among the numerous community supporters, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores presented the California State Historic Governor’s Mansion Foundation with a $75,000 check generated through their successful in-store “NickelAid” customer campaign. The Church of Scientology of Sacramento recently contributed $25,000 to the foundation to aid in the effort. Additionally, a number of other local businesses, groups and individuals have contributed to the cause, including (but not limited to): AECOM, Bosch, Buehler and Buehler Structural Engineers, Joan Grenz Buehler, Burnett and Sons Lumber, Dreyfus and Blackford Architects, Governor’s Mansion Volunteer Docents, Green Acres, Harrison Mahoney and Higgins (HMH), Midtown Business Association, Sacramento Tree Foundation and Sestak Lighting Design.

The donations come at a pivotal time for the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park and are instrumental in allowing the historic park to remain open and operating while long-term sustainable funding is secured.

“We applaud the initiative of these community-minded corporate partners, groups and individuals who have stepped up to help keep the Governor’s Mansion open for another year,” said Coleman. “The generous support demonstrates the commitment and creativity necessary to preserve our treasured park system during these difficult times.”

While the Governor’s Mansion SHP is officially off the closure list for the coming year, efforts continue to identify long-term sustainable solutions to support the treasured historic park in the future.

Corporate and community donations can be made on-site at the Mansion, 1526 H St. in midtown Sacramento) and more information is available by calling the Foundation at 916-445-3727.

Beginning with Governor George Pardee and his wife Helen in 1903, the stately Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park served as the home of 13 California governors and their families until 1967, when then-Governor Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy became the last to live there.

Operated by California State Parks with financial assistance from the non-profit California State Historic Governor’s Mansion Foundation, the Governor’s Mansion is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For more information call 916-323-3047 or visit parks.ca.gov/governorsmansion.