FROM TEXAN: The Governors' Mansion of Texas: A Tour of Texas' Most Historic Home, is a collection of photographs of each room and historic contents, history of the house, and personal accounts of the governors and their families. The pride of Texans since work began in 1854, this Greek Revival house has been home to forty families beginning when Governor Elisha Pease and family were the first occupants in 1856, followed by such notables as Sam Houston, Sul Ross, James Hogg, James and Miriam Ferguson, Pappy O'Daniel, John Connally, Bill Clements, Ann Richards, (former president) George Walker Bush, and current Governor Rick Perry.
Governor and First-Lady Anita Perry had vacated the mansion, and the historic furniture had been removed for renovation, shortly before the work of an arsonist on June 8, 2008, placed it in jeopardy. Currently mansion renovation is under the direction of the State Preservation Board and other agencies.
A special exhibit of the Governor's Mansion is on display through August 1, 2010, at the Bob Bullock State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue (three blocks North of the Capitol) in Ausstin, Texas. The exhibit includes photomurals, artifacts and stories of the history, lore and personal accounts of occupants of this grand edifice. The exhibit offers an opportunity to see first-lady gowns and Ann Richard's motorcycle, as well as historic artifacts from the mansion including the famous Onderdonk painting of the Battle of the Alamo, mansion china, Sam Houston's bed, conservatory furniture and other memorabilia. Fire safety, historic preservation, renovation details and a gift shop are included in the exhibit. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. and on Sunday from noon until 6:00 P.M.