Discover Middle Georgia: Old Governor’s Mansion

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia. (41NBC/WMGT) – The former home of Georgia’s governors from 1839-1868 remains in Milledgeville, now serving as a museum.

The Old Governor’s Mansion served as the executive for 33 years. It was the stage for a large number of issue, such as slavery and women’s rights, that encompassed life in the Antebellum South.

The mansion’s history includes the Antebellum, Civil War and early reconstruction phase following the war.

Noted governors George Crawford, Howell Cobb and Joseph E. Brown lived in the building during their terms.

Dring the Civil War, General William T. Sherman claimed the mansion as a “prize” on his March to the Sea. It is documented that while he was in the house, Sherman headquartered his commanders and finalized plans for the capture of Savannah.

After the war, the government moved to Atlanta, leaving the mansion abandoned.

In 1889, the mansion was given to what is now Georgia College and State University.

Georgia College was essentially founded in the mansion. Presidents of the college lived in the mansion up until 1987. The property has always been in public hands.

In 2001, a multi-million dollar historic restoration occurred on the mansion.

Director of Historic Museums at Georgia College and State University, Matthew S. Davis, notes that “the restoration took from 2001 to 2005 and today, visitors will see one of the most accurately restored houses in the southeastern United States if not the nation.”

Today, the mansion looks as it would have during the 1800’s with original coloring, lighting and appearance.

Aubrey Newby, a visitor to the mansion, says “when you walk through [the] rooms, you actually feel like they’re lived in and that the governor’s are actually still living here in the house.”

Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion is a National Historic Landmark – a site that’s very significant to the history of the United States.

The mansion is a fully accredited Museum of the American Alliance of Museums and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Tours begin on hour with the last tour at 4 p.m.