Leland Stanford Mansion | |
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| Location | 800 N St,Sacramento, California |
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| Coordinates | 38°34′34.22″N121°29′52.38″W / 38.5761722°N 121.4978833°W /38.5761722; -121.4978833 |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | Seth Babson[3] |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000178[1] |
| CHISL No. | 614[2] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 9, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1987[4] |
TheLeland Stanford Mansion, often known simply as theStanford Mansion, is a historic mansion andCalifornia State Park inSacramento, California, which serves as the official reception center for theGovernment of California and one of the official workplaces of thegovernor of California.
Built in 1856, the mansion was formerly the residence ofLeland Stanford, the 8th governor of California and founder ofStanford University. In 1900, the Stanford family donated the estate to theRoman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, which operated a children's home there until 1978. Subsequently, the California government purchased the property to serve as the capital's ceremonial reception center and as a state park, officially known as theLeland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.
Sacramento merchant Shelton C. Fogus, a wealthy building merchant, originally owned and built the home. TheRenaissance Revival of the original home is attributed to Seth Babson, who later designed theE.B. Crocker residence and art gallery that are now part of theCrocker Art Museum.
Leland Stanford, president of theCentral Pacific Railroad (one ofthe Big Four tycoons) and a rising member of theRepublican Party, purchased the home for $8,000 (equivalent to $280,000 in 2024) in June 1861, shortly before his election as California governor that year. During his two-year governorship, the Stanford Mansion served as the state's executive office and living quarters. His successors, governorsFrederick Low andHenry Huntly Haight, would also use the mansion as their office.
Between 1871 and 1872, the Stanford family remodeled the residence extensively. Because Stanford had to attend his gubernatorial inauguration by rowboat in 1862, the home was raised twelve feet to mitigate frequent flooding from theSacramento River. In addition, one story was added to both the bottom and top of the mansion. The home was also expanded from 4,000 square feet (370 m2) to 19,000 square feet (1,800 m2), and redesigned to reflect theFrenchSecond Empire style popular at the time, particularly in the 4th-floorMansard roof. The result was a four-story remodeled structure in which the original 2-story house sat between the added floors.
Following Stanford's death in 1893, his widowJane Lathrop Stanford continued to oversee the home.
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In 1900, Jane Stanford donated the home to theRoman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento for the benefit of California's children. It was given to theSisters of Mercy who ran it as anorphanage named the Stanford and Lathrop Memorial Home for Friendless Children.
In 1932, the home was given to theSisters of Social Service who eventually transformed the mansion from an orphanage to a residence for dependent high school girls. A fire in the mansion in 1940 caused considerable damage to the fourth floor.
The mansion was designated aCalifornia Historical Landmark in 1957[2] and aNational Historic Landmark in 1987.[3][4][5]
In 1978, the government of California acquired the property for use as a state park. The Sisters of Social Services remained on the grounds until 1987, whenCalifornia State Parks designated the mansion and the immediate surrounding land as a state historic park. Following the state's decision, theNational Park Service declared the mansion aNational Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987. After $22 million in renovation and rehabilitation, the mansion finally opened to public tours in September 2005.
The mansion is also the state's official reception center for leaders from around the world.[6]
Prior to the reopening of the mansion, California did not have a location for hosting official functions for nearly 40 years. Today, theGovernment of California frequently uses the mansion to host foreign dignitaries, and the governor retains an office there. Tours of the mansion are offered daily but may be impacted by official functions on behalf of the Governor's Office or theCalifornia State Legislature leadership.
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Beginning in 1991, the Stanford Mansion underwent a 14-year renovation at a cost of $22 million ($50.79 million in 2024), with the help of Sacramento businessman and formerStanford University professor Peter McCuen. Accurate restoration of the home and its rooms was aided by an extensive study of the home in 1986 through theHistoric American Buildings Survey and by a large collection of photographs of the home taken in 1868 byAlfred A. Hart and again in 1872 byEadweard Muybridge.
The repairs and restoration were completed in 2005, when the mansion opened to the public. California State Parks offers guided tours through the fully refurbished home, with rooms restored to their 1872 appearance. The Leland Stanford Mansion is physically accessible, including the gardens, Visitor Center, and restrooms. Elevators provide access to the upper floors of the mansion's tour route, and a tactile model of the Mansion is available in the Visitor Center.
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