At a time when sumptuous “celebrity mansions” and “McMansions” are everywhere, One Mansion Drive, the single story, Territorial style home of New Mexico’s Chief Executive, is relatively modest. Its predecessors, The Palace of the Governors, built in 1609-1610, and then the Governor’s Mansion, built in 1904 on the northwest grounds of the Capitol (today West DeVargas Street), were, in their time, more grandiose. The latter was designed in a classical style, of yellow brick, with tall white columns. It had five bedrooms and two “servant” rooms. By the 1940’s, then-Senator Edwin L. Mechem found the house to be falling down and requested it be demolished and new quarters built.
Progress was slow, with public sentiment opposing the demolition. It wasn’t until 1951 that the New Mexico State Legislature, under the auspices of then-Senator John F. Simms, appropriated $100,000 to begin construction of a new residence, and another $142,000 in 1955 to complete the quarters for the Governor. For a site, Governor John Dempsey (with the provision that the property revert to his family if a Governor did not live there) donated ten acres of prime north hills land. The firm of Willard Kruger was employed as the architects. Later, a contiguous twenty acres was added to the estate.
Unlike many governors’ residences across this country, One Mansion Drive was designed strictly for the First Family’s personal use. In the 1960’s, the south portal was enclosed to allow for an impressive dining room. A plaque in the current dining room states: “The designs of the beams of the dining room ceiling are adaptations of motifs adorning the palace of San Lorenzo del Escorial near Madrid, in Spain. There in 1609, King Phillip III signed the papers authorizing an outpost to be established at Santa Fe.” Over the years, the residence has grown to 10,000 square feet, divided between public areas (for public and state functions) and private (a three bedroom residence plus VIP quarters).
At first, the furnishings for One Mansion Drive were taken from the old Governor’s Mansion. The formation of the “Governor’s Mansion Foundation” in the late 1980s allowed individuals to contribute to the updating of furnishings. Eugene Law, of Charles David Interiors was commissioned to do the original design work. Recent alterations were done by Visions Design Group. Most of the art in the public spaces is on loan from the New Mexico Museum of Art, the International Folk Art Museum and the Spanish Colonial Museum.
By 2003, when Governor Bill Richardson and First Lady Barbara Richardson came to reside here, there was no furniture in the private quarters because each occupant brought in its personal furniture. Also, multiple layers of paint attested to the quick succession of governors, who by statute for many years could only serve for 4 years. Barbara Richardson brought in her personal antiques from their residence in Washington DC, which had just sold, and with a great flare for finding beautiful pieces, furnished the rest of the private quarters through local stores. Those furnishings have now been donated to the state.
One Mansion Drive has been the scene of many dinners for dignitaries, serving as many as 80 guests at one time. Caramelized Fig Challa Pudding, by Executive Chef Marianne Deery, was served at a dinner honoring Ambassador Ayalon of Israel. Lupe Jackson, a native of San Felipe pueblo and the household cook, bakes hundreds of cookies each year for the Governors’ guests. Her recipe for biscochitos won this year’s New Hampshire Primary Cookie Contest in Yankee Magazine. With such a gracious New Mexico lifestyle, after numerous campaigns it is no wonder the Governor is happy to be back home. Many family members of the 14 governors who have resided here also enjoy revisiting their former home.
Complimentary tours are given at the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, except December from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call for reservations 505-827-1010.
