Executive Mansion
Executive Mansion
4.5
About
This historic home, an excellent example of Federal style architecture, has been the residence of Virginia's governors since 1813, making it the longest occupied governor's living quarters in the U.S.
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- Main Street Station • 8 min walk
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4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
wood_brothers21
Gum Spring, VA86 contributions
Sept 2022
VA Executive Mansion is the oldest continuously occupied Governor’s residence in the United States.
Beginning Friday, September 2, tours will be available Fridays 10am and later at 4pm.
IT'S FREE!
I was there on 9/2/2022 at 10AM. There were two ladies from Kentucky and little old wine maker me. Let the State Policeman or woman know you're there for the tour and you'll be wanded, be prepared to remove all metal items in your possession.
Don't forget your camera, the only thing they don't want you to do is take movies. Photograph anything and everything, they don't care.
You'll see the first floor Governor's old office, the ladies waiting room, a foyer, a dining room and one other room I believe. Every room is filled with furniture and hundreds of pictures hang upon the walls. The beautiful silver pieces from the ship Virginia are on display. A couple of musical instruments may or may not have historic value.
The docent explains many of the painters and their works in detail as you walk from room to room. There are plenty of opportunities to ask questions. It takes about a half hour. You leave via a different door than when you came in that opens with a view into the governor's courtyard. Straight ahead is a building that served as the kitchen. It may be restored some time in the future.
There are handy links to more information made available by the state of virginia
Beginning Friday, September 2, tours will be available Fridays 10am and later at 4pm.
IT'S FREE!
I was there on 9/2/2022 at 10AM. There were two ladies from Kentucky and little old wine maker me. Let the State Policeman or woman know you're there for the tour and you'll be wanded, be prepared to remove all metal items in your possession.
Don't forget your camera, the only thing they don't want you to do is take movies. Photograph anything and everything, they don't care.
You'll see the first floor Governor's old office, the ladies waiting room, a foyer, a dining room and one other room I believe. Every room is filled with furniture and hundreds of pictures hang upon the walls. The beautiful silver pieces from the ship Virginia are on display. A couple of musical instruments may or may not have historic value.
The docent explains many of the painters and their works in detail as you walk from room to room. There are plenty of opportunities to ask questions. It takes about a half hour. You leave via a different door than when you came in that opens with a view into the governor's courtyard. Straight ahead is a building that served as the kitchen. It may be restored some time in the future.
There are handy links to more information made available by the state of virginia
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
obx64
Richmond, VA42 contributions
was able to tour once - altho small, it's really as nice as the White House -- very lovely - worth the visit. neat stories about the families who have lived there.
Written 16 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunandwater22
Titusville, FL131 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
I have been through LOTS of historical houses _ LOTS. The Governors Mansion in Richmond is still special. First it has been in continuous use as home for the first families of Virginia since it was built in 1800's. The first floor formal, public rooms are open for free tours. The docents are knowledgeable and very willing to answer questions. So ask away!
The Governors Mansion is at Capital Square so you must park at least a couple of blocks away. But walking through the square is a joy too.
I have gone at Christmas for the state tree lighting ceremony. Dinner downtown, tour the house all decorated for Christmas and then the tree lighting. All for free!
The Governors Mansion is at Capital Square so you must park at least a couple of blocks away. But walking through the square is a joy too.
I have gone at Christmas for the state tree lighting ceremony. Dinner downtown, tour the house all decorated for Christmas and then the tree lighting. All for free!
Written 1 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
8ric
Tampa, FL1,070 contributions
May 2022
You cannot gain entry so it's really only a walk by but worth it if you plan on visiting the capital as the history and architecture is worth a look, especially if you are visiting the Capital. It's located on the Capital campus grounds just a short walk from the Capital. It's a historic building with grand architecture.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CynthiafromOhio2011
Cleveland, OH337 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
This is the oldest continuously occuppied governor's mansion in the US, built in 1813. It is very impressive and located right next to the Original Capitol building in Richmond. it is actually open to tour daily (unless the governor has a function occuring there), but there is no signage or markings indicating this is so.
It was very difficult to find out how to tour this; we called the telpehone # and the person we talked to indicated that it was open to visit. However, when we arrived, there was no indication as to where to enter. There was no one at the guard gate in front of the mansion, and when we located a security officer there he seemed disinclined to be helpful. Finally, he said to wait and that there would be a tour in 15 minutes. After 15+ minutes, we inquired as to the status. He then treated us like a nuisiance and said to keep waiting -- out in the sun, with no where to sit even though beyond the gate it was shaded. After about another 45 minute wait (with no information), we were told we could enter beyond the gate, but still wait. This guard was, at best, unhelpful and generally pretty rude.
Once we finally entered the mansion, the docent was pleasant and informative. The tour is limited to the first floor of the houe and the gardens as the governor and his family resides here. The mansion, itself, is very interesting and historic and would be worth visiting if it had not been so difficult to gain access.
I would have rated this attraction as "Very Good" except for the difficulties and horrible treatment in gaining access to the mansion. Once we were in, it was great, but not worth the hassel to gain entrance. This probably explains why no one else has reviewed this on Tripadvisor. Although technically open, it appears that everyone is discouraged from visiting.
It was very difficult to find out how to tour this; we called the telpehone # and the person we talked to indicated that it was open to visit. However, when we arrived, there was no indication as to where to enter. There was no one at the guard gate in front of the mansion, and when we located a security officer there he seemed disinclined to be helpful. Finally, he said to wait and that there would be a tour in 15 minutes. After 15+ minutes, we inquired as to the status. He then treated us like a nuisiance and said to keep waiting -- out in the sun, with no where to sit even though beyond the gate it was shaded. After about another 45 minute wait (with no information), we were told we could enter beyond the gate, but still wait. This guard was, at best, unhelpful and generally pretty rude.
Once we finally entered the mansion, the docent was pleasant and informative. The tour is limited to the first floor of the houe and the gardens as the governor and his family resides here. The mansion, itself, is very interesting and historic and would be worth visiting if it had not been so difficult to gain access.
I would have rated this attraction as "Very Good" except for the difficulties and horrible treatment in gaining access to the mansion. Once we were in, it was great, but not worth the hassel to gain entrance. This probably explains why no one else has reviewed this on Tripadvisor. Although technically open, it appears that everyone is discouraged from visiting.
Written 16 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susanf989
Harwich Port, MA69 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The Governor's Mansion is a classic beauty, designed in 1810 and lived in ever since by all the governors and their families which is why you will sometimes see playground equipment on the grounds! Truly elegant and be sure to view the Native American portraits in the room immediately to your left when you enter - very striking and a good reminder of who really lived here first! The docents are very, very well trained and can answer almost any question. The building is a true complement to the Capital Building, next door, which is a reproduction of the White House in Washington, D.C. Not to be missed!
Written 28 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth K
Lynchburg, Virginia70 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We weren't planning on visiting, but when we paused at the gate just to look, the guard opened the gate and welcomed us in. The tour guide was a nice lady who was very informed about the house and its contents. The tour only includes the first floor, as the first family lives upstairs.
Written 13 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy V
Weyers Cave, VA11 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Beautiful piece of Virginia's history, but is also a national treasure. The setting is gorgeous as the mansion is located next to the capitol building.
The mansion's history has been well preserved yet still feels like a comfortable home with the governor and his family living there.
It shouldn't be missed on a trip to Richmond.
The mansion's history has been well preserved yet still feels like a comfortable home with the governor and his family living there.
It shouldn't be missed on a trip to Richmond.
Written 9 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan T
311 contributions
Jul 2018
It's good to be the Governor of Virginia. A wonderful place for a nice stroll. Inside and out are just full of history.
Written 6 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyle B
27 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
The Executive Mansion is a must-stop for history geeks or those who just want to walk through a governor's residence! We were able to walk right up to the gate where a Capitol Policeman warmly greeted us, did his security check, and walked us over to the docent.
The docent gave us a history of the mansion before taking us inside and telling us many memorable stories from some of VA's First Families. The grounds around the mansion are peaceful; you don't feel like you're in the middle of a city at all.
Tours are free and the mansion is beautiful! The tour takes no more than an hour, and the docent is happy to answer any questions about the mansion or its residents.
The docent gave us a history of the mansion before taking us inside and telling us many memorable stories from some of VA's First Families. The grounds around the mansion are peaceful; you don't feel like you're in the middle of a city at all.
Tours are free and the mansion is beautiful! The tour takes no more than an hour, and the docent is happy to answer any questions about the mansion or its residents.
Written 31 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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