1986 - Governor's Mansion, Charleston, WV

Located in Charleston, the Executive Mansion is a Georgian Colonial type structure set off by red Harvard brick and white Corinthian columns. The 30-room mansion is the official residence of the state’s governors.

In July 1923 Walter F. Martens, a Charleston architect, was asked to design the mansion. Previously a house selected by Governor Aretas B. Fleming in 1893 had housed eight governors. In 1921 after the Capitol burned, the legislature provided funds for the construction of a new Capitol and $100,000 was appropriated for a new Executive Mansion.

Martens and Cass Gilbert, architect for the new Capitol, conferred to assure that the Capitol and executive mansion designs were of similar style. One of Mr. Martens’ experiences in designing one of West Virginia’s most famous houses included visits to the White House to aid in the main entrance layout.

At a final cost of $200,000, including furnishings, the mansion was completed in 1926. The interior has been redecorated several times, most recently by current Governor and Mrs. Arch A. Moore, Jr.