ART & ARCHITECTURE OF THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION TEACHING POSTER England, the citizens of the newly- independent nation INTRODUCTION considered Georgian and Federal art and architecture to be too British for their tastes. They chose instead to follow Objectives: Students (Grades 3-5) will learn: Thomas Jefferson’s approach to architecture. His approach 1. How the Governor’s Mansion is both a repository looked back to the times of Classical Greece and the birth of (museum) of Florida history and a home (residence) for democracy for a “new” style of art, architecture, philosophy our Governor. and government. 2. What does “Greek revival” in art & architecture mean? 3. How clarity and simplicity of design is used to show clarity and honesty in politics? 4. Use KWL (What do I know? What do I want to know? LOOKING AND DISCUSSING What did I learn?) to connect text to yourself and teach Florida history. Discussion Questions 1. What is “classical” art and architecture? This teaching poster features the front façade of the (VA.A.1.2, VA.B.1.2, VA.C.1.2, VA.D.1.2) current Florida Governor’s Mansion, the second residence The Greeks are considered the first true artists constructed at 700 North Adams Street in the state capital of European culture. Therefore, classical is often an of Tallahassee. It is a typical example of Greek- Revival style abbreviation of the term “Classical Greek”. The use of clean in art and architecture. The current mansion was designed lines, square dimensions, triangular pediments, and open by Marion Sims Wyeth in 1955, and construction was air colonnades are all attributed to their love of simplicity completed by December 1956. The design was intentionally and honesty, order and balance. Likewise, an architect copied from the home of the 7th President of the United who incorporates a classical style into a building wishes to States, Andrew Jackson. His home, the Hermitage, is be associated with these same qualities both visually and located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. The Greek philosophically. (The architecture of the White House and revival style was very popular during Jackson’s term in the Capitol in Washington D.C. for example, reflect political office (1825-1837). The United States had recently won its ideals within their design. At one time there was even a independence from England and King George III. After statue of George Washington dressed in a Greek toga to the Revolutionary War, and the following War of 1812 with show his noble character and artists like Horatio Greenough T he FL orida G O V ernor ’ S M A N S I O N T H E P E O P L E ’S HOUSE OF F L ORIDA T E A C H I N G P O S T E R depicted an idealized George Washington as political place a head of world commerce and politics, along with propaganda.) the other major allies, France, Russia and England. To show 2. How large is the mansion? (MA.A.1.2, MA.A.4.2, support for our American Heritage in art, literature, and MA.B.3.2, MA.C.1.2, VA.A.1.2, VA.C.1.2) architecture the “classics” were once again in favor and The mansion contains two distinct areas: the public called “neo-classical”. areas that you may tour with your teacher and the private areas, where only the Governor and First Family live. There are six large rooms in the public area, the Entrance Hall, HISTORY OF THE Dining Room, the Reception Room, the Guest Bedroom, the Florida Room and the new Florida Library. The private GOVERNOR’S MANSION area consists of a kitchen, den, and family dining room , and four bedrooms and baths. There are also offices for In the days before Florida had a Governor’s Mansion, the Governor and his wife, an exercise room, swimming state officials rented living quarters or stayed with friends. pool, and cabana. The entire complex is protected 24 hours However, in 1905, the legislature voted a $25,000 award to a day, 7 days a week by the Florida Department of Law purchase land , build and furnish a mansion for Florida’s Enforcement and is surrounded by heavy gates. The total highest-ranking, elected official. John Henry Klutho served square footage of the Governor’s Mansion is approximately as architect for the original all wood ,neo-classical structure 13, 000 square feet, situated on 4.9 acres. (see insert). This mansion suffered in the hot, humid 3. What things on the façade of the mansion are typical of Florida weather and was considered unsuitable by Governor Greek revival? (VA.A.1.2, VA.B.1.2, VA.C.1.2, VA.D.1.2) Fuller Warren and the legislature beginning in 1949. Amidst The use of six stone columns along the front porch is much public debate, a compromise was reached to reuse reminiscent of the Parthenon and other Greek temples. the site to build a newer, bigger home. By 1955, after the The columns are fluted with Corinthian capitals at the top. election of a new governor, Governor LeRoy Collins and his Symmetry is also a typical component of the Greek style. cabinet oversaw the creation of a new, “modern” mansion The door is centered within the central portico. The portico , and the old mansion was finally dismantled. During is flanked by an identical number of matching windows construction of the current residence, Governor Collins and and matching wings on either side. The front door itself is his family moved back across the street into their family designed to resemble a temple door, with two doors that home, which is still known today as The Grove. The Grove open in the middle. has been in Mrs. Collins’ family for several generations, 4. Why is this style used for the Governor’s Mansion? having been constructed by her great grandfather, and one (SS.A.6.2, SS.C.1.2, VA.B.1.2, VA.C.1.2) of Florida’s early territorial governors, Richard Keith Call in The citizens of the 1950 wanted to show their undivided the 1830s. The current mansion at 700 North Adams Street support for the United States. After WWII there was a was designed by Palm Beach architect, Marion Sims Wyeth. renewal of patriotism, much like the original Patriots of The citizens, officials and the architect chose the Hermitage, the Revolutionary War. The United States had just won her the home of Andrew Jackson, Florida’s first territorial governor, as a fitting example of Florida’s distinct heritage. A TimE LINE FOR THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION 1513 1565 1821 1824 1845 1907 1955 1956 1985 2006 2007 Juan Ponce De Leon discovers First permanent settlement The Florida territories— The East and West territories Florida becomes the 27th The first Governor’s Mansion The first Mansion is The Florida legislature again Mansion undergoes major Mansion undergoes second Governor’s Mansion Florida on March 27, 1513 established in St. Augustine, including southern Alabama, are combined into one with state on March 3rd. William with it 24 Ionic columns rising dismantled. Governor and appropriates funding for the renovation after almost thirty addition to the Wyeth building culminates 50th anniversary near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Florida on September 8, 1565 Mississippi and parts of Tallahassee established as D. Mosely is elected as the to the second floor temple Mrs. Collins return to The second (current) Mansion. years. First addition to the with the creation of a new celebration on January “La Florida” means “the by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Louisiana, are transferred the capital of Florida. The state’s first governor. pediment is constructed by Grove, the First Lady’s This time the cost will be Wyeth building includes a new Florida Library and enlarged 2nd, Inauguration Day of flowery land.” Catillo de San Marcos serves to the United States from meridian for all future surveys Henry John Klutho. Fifteen ancestral home (across the $250,000, construction will Florida Room, which enclosed Florida Room Portico, west 44th Governor of the State as capital for the colony Spain. Andrew Jackson, the and maps is established just 1905 families live here until its street) until new Mansion is be of brick and it will be built an exterior patio that off the State Reception Room of Florida. Inaugural Open during both Spanish and commander of the 1812 and below the capitol building, The legislature appropriates destruction almost 50 years built. to “last 300 years”. Marion originally opened north, off and Florida Room. Governor’s House welcomes thousands of English rule. Creek Wars, serves as first near Cascade Park in $25,000 “for the acquisition later. Sims Wyeth is instructed the State Reception Room. Mansion is nominated to the Florida citizens once again to governor of the East and West Tallahassee. of a site, and the erection, to use the Hermitage, the National Register of Historic “the People’s House” . Florida territories. The capital building and furnishing of Tennessee home of Andrew Places in its fiftieth year. is moved to Pensacola. a mansion thereon for the Jackson, as his model. He Governor of the State of even has his red bricks made Florida.” in Tennessee in the“Kingsport Hermitage Colonial” style. afforded by the Governor’s Mansion. And a lovely home it is, occupying center stage in the heart of Tallahassee, only a few short blocks from the capitol building--a continuous reminder of the unique Florida history shares with our Spanish, English, French and Native American history. AESTHETICS AND SUGGESTED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES The Old Mansion, built in 1906, demolished in 1955 Discussion Questions: (VA.A.1.2, VA.B.1.2, The old site was cleared in July of 1955 and building VA.D.1.2, VA.E.1.2, SS.A.1.2, SS.A.2.2, SS.A.3.2, commenced shortly thereafter.