Grounds Guidelines

Grounds Guidelines. The Mansion grounds and gardens, designed by William Garbo in 1971 and modified in 2022 by Rick Griffin and L. A. Clifton Egger, reflect a style appropriate for the Greek Revival architecture of the historic Mansion. Design changes to the grounds or gardens may not be considered or made without the approval of the Department of Archives and History. The grounds are maintained by the Office of Capitol Facilities, Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, and it is this Office that should be contacted for day-to-day requests and needs. Although the design of the grounds may not be altered, there are specified areas within the grounds which may be planted according to the personal desires of the Governor’s family. These areas will be indicated to the First Family when the grounds are toured with the representative(s) of Capitol Facilities. The horticultural feasibility of special planting requests will be determined by Capitol Facilities, but every effort will be made to meet them. The cut flower garden was created for use by the First Family and is maintained by volunteers with some supervision by Capitol Facilities. The volunteers may be contacted through Mansion staff. Commemorative markers on the grounds are generally discouraged and require approval by the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Pets and their cleanup are the responsibility of the owners or of their designated walkers. Source: Miss. Code §§ 25-59-1, 39-5-3 (1972, as amended). Part 5 Chapter 10: The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion Historic Section and Grounds Guidelines for Public Use (Approved by the Board of Trustees May 8, 1998, Amended Jan. 17, 2014, June 19, 2020, and Nov. 14, 2023) Introduction. A. Primary Use: The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion is a historic structure and the official residence of the governor, whose private living quarters adjoin the historic section. The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History has statutory authority and responsibility to establish guidelines for public access and organizational use of the historic section of the Governor’s Mansion in order to protect and preserve its structural and architectural integrity. The Foundation for Mississippi History (FMH) is a not-for-profit corporation duly existing under the laws of the state of Mississippi, exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. The FMH’s purpose is to support the mission and goals of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, an agency of the state of Mississippi, that administers the historic section of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion. B. Public Access 1. The Governor’s Mansion is open to the public free of charge for guided tours at the discretion of the First Family. 2. Tours must be scheduled with the Mansion curator at 300 E. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39201, or at (601) 359-6421. 3. The Mansion may be closed at times to accommodate functions of state and other events hosted by the governor. 4. Visitors should enter the Mansion grounds from the west gate on N. West Street, where the Capitol Police Officer will request identification. 5. The Governor’s Mansion is handicapped-accessible with some limitations. 6. No animals are allowed in the Governor’s Mansion at any time, except service animals. 7. The Governor’s Mansion is a smoke-free facility.