EXTRA! Montana Newspaper Stories 1864-1922: Original Governor's Mansion

The first two governors of the State of Montana, Joseph Toole and Edwin Norris, lived in their own homes while serving. When Samuel Stewart, who was from Virginia City, was elected, the state legislature appropriated funds to purchase and maintain a furnished home in Helena, where the governor and his family would live and host receptions for dignitaries.

Key dates

1888—William A. Chessman builds a residence at 304 N. Ewing for his own use.
1913—The state buys the Chessman home to serve as the executive mansion.
1913-1959—Nine governors and their families reside in the mansion.
1959—Governor Hugo Aaronson moves to the new governor’s mansion at 2 Carson Street.

From the newspapers

• Montana’s Disgrace, Judith Gap Journal, February 14, 1913, p. 2.
• Bills Passed By Senate, The Daily Missoulian, March 01, 1913, Morning, p. 5.
• Lawmakers at Work, The River Press, March 05, 1913, p. 1.
• Montana Brieflets: Helena, March 24, The River Press, March 26, 1913, p. 8.
• Montana Furnishes Governor with Mansion and Maintains It, Great Falls Daily Tribune, December 19, 1920, p. 3.
• Governor Stewart Vacates Executive Mansion; Dixons In, Great Falls Daily Tribune, December 31, 1920, p. 10.
• Legislature Opens Monday, The Glasgow Courier, December 31, 1920, p. 1.

To find more

Search for the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases: governor’s mansion, executive mansion, chessman, helena.

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Written by Catherine W. Ockey