Last updated on December 20, 2023.

At 124 Capitol Avenue is the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion. It’s a state historic site not too far from the Wyoming State Capitol and a few blocks north of downtown Cheyenne. The mansion was built in 1904 and served from 1905 to 1976.

Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Wyoming Governor’s Mansion

 

Tours

The mansion is now a state historic site and open for tours. The rooms have been decorated to represent various time periods during its use, including 1905, 1937, 1955, and the 1960s. Admission is free. It’s open daily from June 1 to September 30 and Wednesday to Saturday the rest of the year.

Foyer in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Foyer

 

First Floor

Guided tours of the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion, which took about 20 minutes during my visit, begin in the music room on the first floor. Portraits of each governor who lived in the house was on the wall. The guide gave my group a short history of the house and stories about a few of the governors.

Portraits of Wyoming's governors in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Portraits of Wyoming’s governors

The most interesting story was about Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first female governor in US history. She served from 1925 to 1927. Her husband, William Ross, was serving as governor when he died about a year and a half into his term. Nellie was nominated by the Democratic Party to run in a special election the next month. She refused to campaign but won the election easily. She later served as the Director of the US Mint for 20 years before retiring in 1953. Nellie Tayloe Ross died in 1977 at the age of 101.

Nellie Tayloe Ross in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Nellie Tayloe Ross

As we waited for a few more people to join the tour, I peeked into the sitting room and the dining room.

Sitting room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Sitting room
Dining room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Dining room

The governor’s office, kitchen, and a nice breakfast room were next. They’re all located on the first floor as well.

Governor's office in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Governor’s office
Kitchen in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Kitchen
Breakfast room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Breakfast room

 

Basement

We walked into the basement where we got to see a fallout shelter. The shelter was added in the 1950s due to the threat of the Cold War. There were instructions on what to do in case of nuclear attack, a sanitation kit, and emergency drinking water.

Fallout shelter in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Fallout shelter
Fallout shelter in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Fallout shelter

 

Second Floor

We then walked up to the second floor where at the top of the stairs was a living room with an old TV.

Living room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Living room

There were about six bedrooms on the upper floors. They were decorated to reflect different time periods. Other than the master bedroom, there was a kid’s room and several guest rooms.

Bedroom in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Bedroom
Bedroom in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Bedroom
Children's room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Children’s room

There were also bathrooms decorated for very different time periods.

Bathroom in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Bathroom
Bathroom in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Bathroom

 

Sun Room

My favorite room in the house was the sun room. It was an addition in the 1960s.

Sun room in the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne
Sun room
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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