THE MISSISSIPPI GOVERNORS MANSION
THE
MISSISSIPPI GOVERNORS MANSION
Memories of the Peoples Home
Governor Phil Bryant
Foreword by First Lady Deborah Bryant
Artwork by Bill Wilson
University Press of Mississippi / Jackson
Publication of this book was made possible in part by a generous donation from the Selby and Richard McRae Foundation.
The University Press of Mississippi is the scholarly publishing agency of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi, and University of Southern Mississippi.
www.upress.state.ms.us
The University Press of Mississippi is a member of the Association of University Presses.
Photographs courtesy of the Governors Office
Artwork copyright 2019 by Bill Wilson
Text copyright 2019 by Phil Bryant
All rights reserved
Printed in China
First printing 2019
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Bryant, Phil (Dewey Phillip), 1954 author. | Bryant, Deborah (Deborah Hays), author. | Wilson, Bill (Artist), artist.
Title: The Mississippi Governors Mansion : memories of the peoples home / Governor Phil Bryant, Foreword by First Lady Deborah Bryant, Artwork by Bill Wilson.
Description: Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, [2019] | First printing 2019.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019017223 (print) | LCCN 2019022235 (ebook) | ISBN 9781496826350 (cloth : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Mississippi Governors Mansion (Jackson, Miss.)History. | GovernorsDwellingsMississippi. | Historic buildingsMississippiJackson. | Jackson (Miss.)Buildings, structures, etc.
Classification: LCC NA108.J2 M57 2019 (print) | LCC NA108.J2 (ebook) | DDC 720.9762/51dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019017223
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019022235
British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
CONTENTS
by First Lady Deborah Bryant
by Bill Wilson
by Megan Bankston, Curator
FOREWORD
P hil and I are thrilled to share this beautifully illustrated book with personal accounts from our time living in the Mississippi Governors Mansion. Over eight years, our love and dedication for this historic residence only grew. We were always mindful that this is the Peoples Home and that we would only be there for a short time. Before we ever moved into the Mansion, we made conscious decisions to ensure the structure was better than we found it, to make all feel welcome, and to treasure every minute of our time in the house.
The upkeep of a historically significant building is constant. I must praise the staff and maintenance crew who helped keep a watchful eye on the property. One of our first orders of business was a renovation in 2013. Plaster walls and the aging HVAC system had fallen into disrepair. It was a huge undertaking to have three floors of pipes and plaster reconstructed. I will never forget seeing the curator remove each crystal prism from the chandelier in the Gold Parlor. I am proud to say all of the hard work and sacrifice was worth the effort. The Mansion is more beautiful than ever for many generations to enjoy.
One of my favorite things to do as first lady was opening the Mansion to everyone I met. From schoolchildren to civic groups to people in the grocery store, I always invited each one to come see the Mansion. I even met people outside on Capitol Street and invited them in for a tour. These guests always turned out to be the most wonderful blessing to my day.
I especially enjoyed giving folks a tour of the private residence. We were not always able to show where we lived, but I took great pleasure in sharing what was on the other side of the door when I was available. Our son, who is an interior designer, updated the private residence when the entire house underwent the renovation in 2013. This was his way of donating his time and talents to the beautification of the Mansions living space. Additionally, local companies furnished the private residence, and I loved showing off the beautiful furniture donated to the Mansion, an unprecedented act that will hopefully benefit the next Mansions executive resident.
We made more precious memories in the house than we can count. The first year, we held our daughters wedding reception in the East Garden. Years later, we chased our three grandchildren around the brick sidewalks. We hosted a Supreme Court justice, ambassadors, legislators, artists, cowboys, Wounded Warriors, and pediatric hospital patients, just to name a few. Even rock star Mick Jagger made a surprise visit one evening to the delight of all our guests. Each event, each guest, each day will forever be imprinted on our hearts.
We are happy to give you, the reader, a glimpse into the charm and wonder of the Peoples Home, the Mississippi Governors Mansion.
FIRST LADY DEBORAH BRYANT
ARTISTS STATEMENT
P lein air painting is very special. Plein air comes from the French, meaning painting outdoors or, more universally, painting from life. Youre right there in the middle of whatever youre working on, nothing between you and the subject. Its just you and your paints.
Part of the thrill of plein air painting is that one is stimulated by all of the senses when on location: the sounds, the atmosphere, the smells. Ah, the smells. Is it strange that a visual artist should focus so much on the sense of smell? Maybe. But, from my three years as artist-in-residence at the Governors Mansion I will remember most the smell of flowers and freshly mown grass in the garden, motor oil in the garage/man cave, and freshly baked cookies as I painted in the kitchen. All that made the place more real, more personal than merely working from photographs.
And lets not forget the smell of history. Yes, history has a smell. The way libraries smell like old books; historical buildings, like the Mansion, seem to smell like your grandmothers china cabinet, a bit musty, but a mustiness filled with the comings and goings of people and the mark they made. I sat painting for days in nearly every single room in the Mansionworking, absorbing everything. Sometimes I got butterflies in my stomach thinking about all the history, all the people who had passed through those rooms, 175 years of history. And I felt incredibly honored that I was becoming just a small part of that history by working on this book with one of Mississippis greatest governors. This is one of the crowning achievements of my thirty-some-odd-year career. I hope the people who read this book will enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed helping to make it.
BILL WILSON
THE MISSISSIPPI GOVERNORS MANSION
