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With President Bush in the Texas
Governor's Mansion
My husband and I (Jane Hampton Cook
and John Kim Cook) took this picture with then-Governor Bush and Laura Bush at the Texas
Governor's Mansion Christmas party in 2000. The mansion suffered severe damage in a fire June
8, 2008. More pictures
Significance of Historic buildings like the Texas
Governor's Mansion
Like many historic places, the Texas Governor's Mansion provides
a strong sense of history to those who live there. Governors and
officeholders know they won't live get to live in such a
beautiful place of history forever. Residing in a historic home reminds them that their
time is short, so they better get to work and do their best to
uphold their office. Living within history's walls makes them
mindful of their own place in
history, knowing that others have gone before them and other
leaders will follow.
For Bush, I believe living in the Texas Governor's Mansion
gave him a stronger sense of connection with his responsibility
as governor of Texas, particularly to an earlier predecessor, Texas
Governor Sam Houston. Knowing that Houston had walked the same
halls and came in and out of the same doors was a reminder of
Houston's political courage, something Bush greatly admired.
When Texans voted to leave the Union and join the Confederacy in
1861, Houston refused to go along with their decision. He
believed slavery was wrong, and Texas should stay in the United
States. The decision cost him his job. I think Bush related to
the story because he knew he might one day have to make a
decision that was the right thing to do, but political
unpopular. He's done that with his commitment to the
Iraq War, doing what he believes is right even in the face of
immense criticism and unpopularity. Living in the Texas
Governor's Mansion, seeing the portraits of heroes like Sam
Houston, heightened Bush's respect and understanding of his role
as Texas governor, the past and future. I think he feels the
same way about the White House, getting inspiration from the
stories and reminders of presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln,
who have lived there before. Living in historic buildings is a
reminder of a leader's charge to keep.
My Memories of the Texas Governor's Mansion
The Texas Governor's Mansion holds many memories for me. As
webmaster for Bush (from Feb. 1998- March 2003), I posted a lot
of pictures of the Texas Governor's Mansion on the official web
site for the governor's office. (I later held a similar job in
the White House). One of my fondest and fun
memories took place in the governor's mansion. I staffed
a photo shoot of Bush n the large parlor of the mansion. The
resulting picture was used for Fortune Magazine and the
cover of the first edition of Bush's book, A Charge to Keep. During
the photo shoot, Bush gave me a pop quiz on my knowledge of
Texas history. He called out a key date in Texas history, such
as March 2 (Independence Day) and April 21 (San Jacinto Day), to
see if I knew what happened on those days. I passed his Texas
history test, one that reporters had given him when he ran for
governor. The banter was
fun, a playful side of Bush, one I wish more people could see
and know.
Texas Governor's Mansion during Sam Houston's Term
In
my own voice, about Maggie Houston
MP3
My first book, Maggie Houston, takes place in the
Texas Governor's Mansion. I was inspired to write this story while
serving as webmaster to Bush in the governor's office. Sam Houston and
his family of eight children became the second residents of the
1856 mansion. Andrew Jackson, Houston's six-year-old son, often
got in trouble for sliding down the mansion's u-shaped banister and
bringing flea-ridden dogs and varmints into the house. One day
some friends came to visit the Houston daughters at the mansion.
They taught them a new dance, the chicken wing, and the girls
got in trouble when they showed their mother their new moves.
Mrs. Houston was not fond of dancing.
Legend has it that Sam Houston, after meeting with his
advisers in the library, burned a letter from Abraham Lincoln in
the fireplace. Lincoln had offered to send Union troops to Texas
to keep Texas from joining the Confederacy. Although Houston
supported the Union and ultimately lost his job over his
political courage, he could not allow Lincoln to send troops to
Texas and start the Civil War on Texas soil. So, he burned the
letter.
In the days leading to Houston's decision to support the
Union, the Houston family had a special time of prayer and Bible
reading about the crisis after dinner in the dining room. The
events leading to the Civil War caused some unnerving moments
for the family at the mansion. Their horses were stolen. There
was an assassination attempt on Houston's life, likely at the
Texas Capitol. Houston met with his advisers in secret at the
mansion. He received death threats and spooky letters from
detractors, which he likely read at the mansion. In a more
poignant moment, Houston gave his oldest son the sword of San
Jacinto, again probably at the mansion.
Much history has taken place at the Texas Governor's
Mansion. I hope it will be rebuilt and restored. It is legend, a
true Texas landmark.
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