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Former Governors' Mansion - History

Governor Aandahl (1945 1950) sitting next to the north parlor fireplace

In 1961 the house was converted into office space for use by the Mental Health and Retardation Services Division of the State Health Department. In 1974, the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors' Mansion (SPFGM) was formed with the support of Governor Art Link and First Lady Grace Link. This organization of citizens interested in the preservation of the house supported legislation to transfer the house to the custody of the State Historical Society. On March 18, 1975, Governor Link signed HB1315, which transferred custody of the mansion to the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

In 1975 restoration of the house was started and was completed by the spring of 1984. The house was placed on the National Register of Historical Places on April 16, 1975.

Interior restoration was mostly limited to removal of partitions, shelving and doorways installed by the State Health Department. Following extensive research, new wallpapers where hung on the walls and wood work was cleaned up. The interior of the house was not restored to reflect a particular time period. Rather, it is was designed to present the overall life of the house and the ways people lived in and used the house. Exposed layers of  historic wallpaper and paint samples on the walls throughout the house show the many changes that have taken place over the life of the house.

 

Hours:
1:00pm - 5:00pm, Wed. - Sun., May 15th - September 16th.
1:00pm - 5:00pm, Second Friday and Saturday of each month, October - May.
Other times by appointment.

Contact Us:
701-328-2666 shspreservation@nd.gov