Governor & First Lady to Conclude 50th
Anniversary Year of Governor’s Residence

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem invite Nebraskans to join them in wrapping up the 50th anniversary year of the Nebraska governor’s residence during the last week of August.

Special events planned to commemorate the end of the home’s silver anniversary will begin Sunday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. with a reception celebrating the residence being placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The official plaque will be unveiled and a photo of the governor’s residence will be added to the collection of artwork featured at the residence, courtesy of Omaha artist Lynda Tygart.

Ganem said, “These events provide one more opportunity for Nebraskans to be part of the   50th anniversary year of this beautiful home. It’s come to be known as the people’s home and Dave and I are delighted to be able to share it with Nebraskans and visitors from around the country and the world.”

The residence will be open for tours from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26. Afternoons will also feature speakers scheduled for 2 p.m.

On Monday, Ganem will be joined by first family members to share stories of life at the residence, including: Gov. Charlie Thone; Amy Tiemann Tipton, daughter of Gov. Norbert Tiemann; and Candy Exon Wolf, daughter of the late Gov. Jim Exon. 

Members of the Lincoln Doll Club will also attend Monday’s event to unveil the doll styled to reflect Ganem’s dress for the 2007 inaugural ball. The doll will be part of a collection housed in the residence’s heritage meeting room. Depicting the attire of governors’ spouses, the collection includes more than 30 figures representing the inaugural ball gowns and period fashions of Nebraska’s first ladies. Nebraska’s only First Gentleman to date, Bill Orr, is also represented in the collection.

Tuesday’s presentation will feature State Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley, discussing the construction of the State Capitol, governor’s residence and other areas surrounding the capitol building. The day will also feature bus tours of the historic sites of Nebraska’s capital city. Tours will depart from the residence at the top of the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Nebraska governor’s residence is located at 1425 H St. in Lincoln, directly south of the State Capitol. All events are open to the public.

In 1945, the Legislature approved that a new residence be built to replace the home Nebraska governors had used since 1899. Construction on the Georgian Colonial style home began in 1957 and was completed the following year.

More information on the Nebraska Governor’s Residence is available online at http://www.governorsresidence.ne.gov.