Preservationists across the state are lining up against a proposed addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion that would significantly alter the landmark building’s appearance and compromise its historic architectural integrity.

(Updates on this issue will be added to the bottom of this post. Please scroll down for the latest news.)

Until the devastating fire in June 2008, the official residence of Texas governors had remained substantially unchanged since its completion in 1856. In recognition of the house’s status as one of the nation’s most pristine examples of Greek Revival architecture, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Texas Governor’s Mansion a National Historic Landmark, the highest level of significance for a historic property in the United States.

As part of the restoration of the mansion, the State Preservation Board chaired by Governor Rick Perry is proposing the construction of an almost 3,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the house, stating the 9,000-square-foot mansion is inadequate for modern lifestyles. The proposed addition would be almost as tall as the historic building. In addition to changing the home’s appearance, the asymmetrical addition would eliminate the historic view of the mansion from the State Capitol and require the removal of a century-old heritage oak.

At the Jan. 5 meeting of the State Preservation Board, Mandy Dealey, president of the Heritage Society of Austin, questioned the Board’s moving forward without public input, stating it set a very bad precedent that would reflect negatively on Texas when the National Trust for Historic Preservation holds its conference in Austin later this year. Dealey also stated that public hearings should be held on the matter before any further work is done. (Read the Austin American-Statesman's coverage of the meeting.)

On Jan. 6, the Statesman published an editorial opposing the proposed addition. Read additional coverage of the issue here.

Author and historian T.R. Fehrenbach and former Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Lawrence Oaks have also expressed their opposition to the plan in an op-ed piece submitted to newspapers across Texas.

GHPA thanks Preservation Texas' Advocacy Committee for providing the information on the State Preservation Board meeting.

Jan. 11 update: Additional media coverage; contact info for Perry, Dewhurst
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the State Preservation Board, chaired by Governor Rick Perry, is moving forward with plans to construct the addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion without taking a public vote or holding any public hearings. According to the Statesman:

Unlike most state agencies, the Preservation Board in the past has completed some projects before the board voted publicly to approve them. Officials say that process is legal and appropriate ... Advocates of open government and historic preservation who already have questioned the addition say the process is backwards.

On Jan. 11, the Houston Chronicle published its own editorial against the proposed addition. In addition to citing the historic preservation concerns, the newspaper questions the need for a 3,000-square-foot wing on the 9,100-square-foot mansion, especially given the current economic climate:

In these tight-squeezed, coupon-clipping times, when far too many Texan families are making do with less, does the governor's family really need more? Shouldn't the 9,100 square feet that served Sam Houston and George W. Bush be enough?

Please contact Governor Rick Perry to express your opinion about the plan at http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/ or call the Citizen’s Opinion Hotline at 800-252-9600 (in Texas only). Letters may be sent to the Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428.

Please also contact Lt. Governor David Dewhurst at http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php or call 512-463-0001. Letters may be sent to Lt. Governor Dewhurst at Capitol Station, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711-2068.

GHPA will continue to update its members on this issue.

Photo courtesy Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund.