Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund formed

Lady Anita Perry (photo) Asks Texans to Join Restoration Efforts by Donating to the "Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund"

Money Raised Will Help Restore Texas’ Historic Home to its Former Grandeur

Austin – First Lady Anita Perry today announced the formation of the "Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund," which will raise money to restore Texas’ historic home after severe damage by arson last month. Mrs. Perry will chair the non-profit and named Pam Willeford as vice-chair."

For more than 150 years, the Texas Governor’s Mansion has stood as a vibrant example of the ambition and achievements that established our great state as a place of opportunity and prosperity for all," said the First Lady. "Though it was built as a house for governors, the mansion indeed belongs to all Texans.

With Texans’ help and support, this beautiful home will be restored and renewed to again reflect the pride and distinction of the Lone Star State."Texans are fortunate that despite the June 8 arson, the Governor’s Mansion remains well in-tact. Still, a significant amount of work is needed to return the pre-civil war home to its original grandeur.

While it is still too early to determine the cost of restoring the Mansion, those who wish to contribute to its restoration may do so securely at www.texasonline.com, or send a check made out to:"Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund"
P.O. Box 12878, Austin, TX 78711-2878

Funding for the restoration of the Governor’s Mansion is expected to come from public/private partnerships. An application with the IRS is pending for approval of the Fund as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; once approved by the IRS, all donations will be tax deductible. This non-profit organization will help raise funds essential to this effort.

The legislature could also appropriate additional funds for the restoration during the upcoming legislative session. This fundraising effort reaches out to Texans across the state. The Heritage Society of Austin was the first to donate to the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund, contributing $10,000 toward the home’s restoration. Several other organizations and individuals have also offered financial assistance.Willeford, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, was a member of the State Preservation Board during the Texas Capitol Restoration project in the early 1990s and raised private funds for the historic interiors.

That project, which lasted from 1992 to 1995, focused on restoring the State Capitol building to its turn-of-the-century appearance.In addition to her role with the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund, Willeford is also president of Texas Exes and co-chair of the 2009 Texas Medal of Arts Awards.

"The damage caused by the fire to our wonderful and historic Governor’s Mansion is, of course, a tragedy. But I am honored to do my part to restore this significant landmark because of its importance to the past, present and future of Texas and Texans," said Mrs. Willeford.

Throughout the years, millions of schoolchildren, tourists and history enthusiasts have visited the Texas Governor’s Mansion. The National Historic Landmark has been the official home of every Texas governor since 1856.

It has welcomed numerous foreign dignitaries to the Lone Star State, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, President Vincente Fox of Mexico, and Prince Charles, in addition to U.S. Presidents William McKinley, Lyndon Johnson, and George H.W. and George W. Bush.

For questions regarding how to contribute to the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund, please call 1-866-751-5829.