Old Governor’s Mansion: Louisiana’s Mini White House Tour
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In the heart of downtown Baton Rouge stands a mansion filled with political history and Southern grandeur. The Old Governor’s Mansion, often called ‘Louisiana’s White House,’ is not only a historic residence but also a cultural landmark that witnessed over three decades of leadership. It tells a compelling story of ambition, style, and political legacy in the state.
Built under the direction of Governor Huey P. Long in 1929, the Georgian-style mansion was designed to reflect the architectural elegance of the White House. Over the years, it housed nine Louisiana governors. As I walked through its stately rooms and corridors, I encountered stories of powerful personalities and intimate family life, all preserved within these carefully restored walls.
Portrait of Huey P. Long displayed inside the Old Governor’s Mansion
Huey P. Long’s Presidential Vision
Panel of Huey P. Long’s rise to power and his bold decision to build the mansion as a symbol of reform.
Huey P. Long had a vision larger than life. Determined to break from the past, he ordered the demolition of the existing governor’s residence, the Knox House. According to legend, he claimed it was termite-infested and orchestrated its overnight demolition with prison labor. Afterward, he petitioned the legislature and received $150,000 to construct a new mansion during the Great Depression, along with an additional $22,000 for interior furnishings.
Huey P. Long’s bedroom display details original furnishings and family artifacts.
‘He did not like that mansion. He believed that he needed something new to differentiate him from everything that was in the past.’ — Sinella Aghasi, Ph.D., Executive Director, Old Governor’s Mansion
Huey P. Long’s bedroom preserves original furnishings and historic detail.
The design was completed by the New Orleans firm Weiss, Dreyfous and Seiferth, who would later go on to design the Louisiana State Capitol. With its symmetrical lines and neoclassical influence, the mansion became both a personal statement and a political symbol of Long’s aspirations for higher office.
A recreated office space highlights the mansion’s formal West Wing design.
Touring the East Room, West Wing, and Ballroom
The Old Governor’s Mansion grand entrance.
Walking through the entrance, I was immediately struck by the marble floors and crystal chandeliers that set the tone for the experience. The layout includes an East Room and a West Wing, terms borrowed directly from the White House itself, and features spaces for both entertaining and administrative use.
The mansion’s ballroom features chandeliers, marble, and neoclassical charm.
The ballroom is a showstopper with ornate plasterwork and high ceilings that echo the grandeur of Long’s era. Yet the most captivating space is the formal dining room, where a rare piece of artistry wraps the walls: a French hand-painted wallpaper known as Scenic America.
The formal dining room showcases rare French Zuber wallpaper.
‘It’s a Zuber wallpaper. It’s French. There are only three of these in the United States. One is here, one is at the White House, and the other is at Brown University.’ — Sinella Aghasi
Zuber wallpaper panel portrays a historic riverfront military scene.
The mural-like panels depict historic American scenes such as Niagara Falls, Boston Harbor, and West Point. Installed in individual blocks to preserve its detail, the wallpaper serves as both art and artifact, enriching the room’s cultural value.
Campaign poster for Huey and Earl Long promoting populist reforms.
A Hidden Staircase and Huey Long’s Private Space
Hidden door leads to Huey Long’s private staircase.
Some of the mansion’s most intriguing features are tucked quietly behind the scenes. In the first-floor library, I was shown a secret staircase that Huey Long had discreetly built into the wall. It allowed him to escape directly to his bedroom whenever he wished to avoid visitors.
Huey P. Long’s personal items on display in his bedroom.
‘Whenever he didn’t want to see the visitors… he could directly go to his bedroom on the second floor.’ — Sinella Aghasi
Huey P. Long’s travel trunk and belongings preserved in his room.
Upstairs, the Huey Long Room is preserved much as it was during his residency. His personal belongings, including pajamas, photographs, and a commanding portrait, give the room an intimate and historical atmosphere. Although other governors later used this space, it continues to reflect Long’s distinctive presence.
Display shows the history of the Old Governor’s Mansion and its residents.
Bedrooms That Tell Stories: Earl Long and Jimmie Davis
The history of the Earl K. Long Bedroom and his political legacy.
Each bedroom in the mansion serves as a window into the lives of former governors. The Earl Long Room, for instance, features twin beds that were gifted to Earl and his wife Blanche for their wedding. A large portrait and a fur coat in the corner hint at one of Louisiana’s more colorful political stories.
Twin beds and a fur coat tell the story of Earl K. Long’s colorful personal life.
‘He had a famous affair with a stripper named Blaze Starr… The story is that the wife found the coat and put it in the washing machine.’ — Sinella Aghasi
Portrait of Governor Huey P. Long at the Old Governor’s Mansion.
Farther down the hallway, the Jimmie Davis Room remains just as the country-singer-turned-governor left it. A quilt made from neckties sewn by his mother-in-law rests on the bed, and his clothing still hangs in the closet as though time has been suspended.
Jimmie Davis Room with original quilt and furnishings preserved.
‘He actually rode his horse to the State Capitol to show Sunshine where he works.’ — Sinella Aghasi
Jimmie Davis’s portrait and saddle, honoring his horse Sunshine.
The horse, named Sunshine, was the inspiration for one of the mansion’s most beloved anecdotes. While many believe Davis wrote You Are My Sunshine for his wife, he actually named the song in honor of his horse.
Jimmie Davis display highlighting his music, politics, and legacy.
The Oval Room: Family Life Behind Political Walls
The final stop on the tour is the Oval Room, painted in Huey Long’s favorite shade of green. Although its shape and name recall the Oval Office, this room was never used for political meetings. Instead, it served as a casual family space for tea, piano music, and informal gatherings.
A sunlit sitting room inside the mansion with views and vintage charm.
‘It’s never been an office, but it’s an oval-shaped throne… where families actually sat at tea.’ — Sinella Aghasi
A stately room inside the mansion blending elegance with mid-century charm.
This quiet, circular room offers a softer perspective on the mansion’s history. It is a space where children once played, and families shared everyday moments behind the scenes of public leadership.
Portrait of Huey Long, Earl K. Long, and Oscar K. Allen.
Old Governor’s Mansion: A Legacy Preserved and Still Evolving
Governor Earl K. Long served three nonconsecutive terms and brought colorful flair to Louisiana politics.
As I stepped back onto North Boulevard, I carried with me more than just facts and dates. The Old Governor’s Mansion is not only a time capsule of Louisiana’s political past, but also a living story of its evolving identity. It captures ambition, personal expression, design, and legacy, woven together inside a single historic structure.
Governor Jimmie Davis was both a country singer and a two-term Louisiana governor.
Today, the mansion continues to welcome visitors and is expanding its role as a research hub dedicated to the lives and leadership of Louisiana’s governors.
The reform-driven legacy of Governor Sam H. Jones, who served from 1940 to 1944.
‘It’s a beautiful architectural and historical landmark, and we are working on becoming a research hub for the governors who have lived here.’ — Sinella Aghasi
Huey Long’s political reign ended abruptly with his assassination in 1935 at the State Capitol.
Whether your interest is architecture, Southern politics, or cultural history, a visit to the Old Governor’s Mansion offers a unique experience that connects the past with the present and invites you to witness the legacy that lives on in every room.
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