RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Executive Mansion–the “people’s house”–will open its historic doors and beautiful gardens to the public for free tours beginning in March. School children, adults, civic groups and families are invited to experience the 122-year old Mansion which is a tangible link between North Carolina’s past and its future for guided tours conducted by volunteer docents.
The Executive Mansion boasts an outstanding collection of decorative arts while the beautiful grounds feature extensive flower and vegetable gardens and modern environmental practices.
House tours are available Wednesdays and Thursdays, March 13 through June 27. Tours are conducted at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Tours of the nearly five acres of flower and vegetable gardens will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, March 13 through June 6, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday garden tours are designed for children; Thursday garden tours are for adults.
Groups of 10 or more should make reservations two weeks in advance through the Capitol Area Visitors Center online or by phone (919) 807-7950. Smaller groups may join scheduled tours if space is available or make a reservation with visitor services.
The fine Victorian-style mansion, home to North Carolina governors since 1891, was once described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as having “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America.” Built from native materials, the Executive Mansion has been occupied by 29 governors’ families.
The Executive Mansion is located at 201 North Blount Street in Raleigh. Gov. Pat McCrory is the 29th governor to live in the Mansion. He is the 74th governor of North Carolina since statehood. For more on North Carolina arts, culture and history, visit Cultural Resources online.