Inside the Walls of the Governor’s Mahonia Hall

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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

New Governor Kate Brown will soon be the fifth resident of Mahonia Hall, the historic Governor residence of Oregon. 

Mahonia Hall was bought by the state of Oregon completely by donated funds, an uncommon method for providing an official resident for a governor.  The 10,000 square foot, three-story Tudor-style home is tucked away in a residential neighborhood just south of the Capital. 

Governor Barbara Roberts, a former resident of Mahonia Hall, said the place was important to her during her time as governor. 

“It meant you had a home you could come to from a very long work day,” Roberts said. “It is a beautiful home, I loved being there.” 

A Home for a Governor 
The history of the governor’s house is not a traditional one.  In 1987, Oregon was only one of four states that did not have an official residence for its highest ranking public official. Governor Neil Goldschmidt had just started his first term in office when plans began circulating the capital to establish a Salem residence for governors. 

There was a house near the Capital Mall in Salem former governors Tom McCall and Victor Atiyeh had used at times. However, Goldschmidt felt it was too small for his family of four and the social duties of a governor.  

Jean Tate, chairwoman of the Capital Planning Commission at the time, said the commission was approached to find an official home for Oregon governors.  

“They told us ‘It’s ridiculous we don’t have place for our Governor. Go find one,’ ” Tate said. 

Gerry Frank, the first “Oregon Premier Citizen”, spearheaded the fundraising campaign.

“Absolutely public opinion was very favorable,” Frank said. “We asked Oregon personalities and business to help fund [the project].”

In less than a year, the committee raised over $800,000 from some of the state’s largest corporations and influential citizens. Phil Knight, a former employer of Goldschmidt, donated $50,000. Pacfic Power, Portland General Electric, Hoffman Construction, and First National Bank were a few other notable contributors. 

As money began flowing in, the committee searched for the right house. Yet Frank said the decision was an easy one. 

“We looked at several homes, but the present one was the most desirable,” Franks said. “It was beautiful indoors and out, with enough space for large gatherings.” 

The future-Mahonia Hall was not on the market at the time, but the committee made a deal in 1987 with the current owners to purchase the home for $600,000, almost $100,000 over the appraised value. The rest of the funds went towards furnishing and grounds work for the property. 

Mahonia Hall
Even before it became home to Oregon governors, the house was destined for politics. It was designed and built in the early 1920s for Thomas Livesley, who went on to become mayor of Salem. Livesley also made a name for himself as the largest hop-grower in Oregon. 

The house features eight bedrooms, six and half bathrooms, wine cellar, sun room, and even a ballroom on the top floor. 

Mahonia Hall is fully furnished, although residents have the option to bring in their own bedroom set and furnish a space in the basement for personal touches, according to Roberts. Several additions, such as a piano and elevator, have been added or donated over the years.

Brian Hines, an Oregon author and blogger, visited Mahonia Hall for a Humane Society luncheon in 2013.

“I thought it was very comfortable, not ornate like you think of the White House.  It was a place you could tell they actually lived,” Hines said. 

Compared to other states, Oregon’s governor residence is small in size and value. Movoto Real Estate Blog ranked the biggest Governor Mansions in 2014. Illinois came in first, with its 50,000 square foot mansion valued at $5.4 million. 

Roberts said she always referred to Mahoina Hall as the Governor’s Residence rather than mansion, to make it feel more accessible. 

“Most of us have never lived a house that big and luxurious,” Roberts said. “I didn’t want to separate it from the population, so they could feel proud of it."

Most other governor mansions come with a full staff, unlike Mahonia Hall. 

“I think the expectation is there will be a first lady to see after housekeeping, which was certainly not true in my case,” Roberts said. 

Mahonia Hall is overseen by Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS), who also takes care of the grounds, according to Matt Shelby, communications director for DAS. 

Kitzhaber, who resigned from office Feb. 13, left Mahonia Hall earlier this week, Shelby said. The DAS staff is currently inventorying and preparing the house for Governor Kate Brown, and will coordinate a move-in date in the following weeks.  

“For the new governor and her husband, I hope they find as much happiness, joy and fun in their time there as [my husband] Frank and I did,” Roberts said. 

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Related Slideshow: Timeline of Kate Brown’s Life and Political Career

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