Indiana Governor's Residence (Indianapolis, Indiana)

 residence, office of the governor, Tudor (architecture), 1928_construction

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The Governor's Residence, located at 4750 N. Meridian Street, is the sixth official governor's residence. The Governor's Residence Commission acquired the six and one half acre estate in 1973 to serve as the official Governor's Residence for then-Governor and Mrs. Otis R. Bowen. The home was bought for $242,000. At least an additional $800,000, including a $125,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment, was used to renovate it. Renovations, before it opened for official use, included the installation of air condition, a parking lot, and a new vestibule entrance.

The English Tudor home was acquired from the attorney C. Severin Buschman. It was built in 1928 by Scott Wadley with Rabush and Hunter serving as the architects. The Governor's Residence is approximately 10,500 square feet. It is typical of many large English Tudor homes built during the housing boom of the 1920s along North Meridian Street. However, despite similarities architecturally to other residences on the street, it is structurally unique because of its concrete reinforcement of the entire building, including the attic.

The first floor of the Residence is open to the public and includes a foyer, a library, formal living room, formal and informal dining room, a sun porch, a kitchen, a butler's pantry, residence staff offices, and event space. The second floor of the Residence is for the private use of the First Family. It includes a living room, master bedroom, a guest bedroom, office, and bathrooms. The third floor houses another bedroom, bathroom, and large attic.

Approximately, 10,000 people visit the Governor's Residence each year. Receptions and tours are given on an as available basis.