The Governor Seay Mansion was built in 1892 for Abraham Jefferson Seay, second territorial Governor of Oklahoma. Historically, the mansion is the first governor’s mansion of Oklahoma. It is situated on rising ground called “Horizon Hill.” The brick and frame Queen Ann Victoria style structure consisted of three floors. The cost was $11,000 to build on fifteen acres of land purchased for $ 637.50. The third floor doubled as a ballroom and sleeping space for Governor Seay’s nieces and nephews who would visit. The turret was used by Governor Seay as a getaway. He lived in the home until 1901. The house changed hands at least 15 times before the State of Oklahoma acquired it in 1964. It has been a Governor’s Mansion, a private family home, a boarding house and presently a museum. Damaged during a storm in the 1920’s the third floor was converted into an attic and the roof line dropped making the house nearly unrecoverable as the mansion it once was. The roof was returned to it’s original height during restoration projects by the State of Oklahoma in the 1960’s but it’s interior was not restored and remains attic space. Let’s fast forward from 1892, 133 years to 2025. The museum and the Oklahoma Historical Society are planning a major renovation of the mansion and historical buildings. The work will begin with historical structures before moving forward with changes to the main museum. As part of their strategic planning they have decided it is time to find a way to use the mansion as a space to engage with visitors and the community in unique and educational ways. They have started hosting several new programs tied to the historical home. They launched The Summer Sounds Concert series and has brought live outdoor music performances to Kingfisher. They will continue offering concerts and food trucks in June, July and August. The museum also offers a more casual musical program called The Parlor Jams, they invite acoustic musicians to come in and play old time music with their facilitator. Also something else new is the Haunt the Hill turning the mansion into a kid-friendly haunted house for Halloween. All of these programs and more to come. Part of the renovation efforts at the mansion will make the home more usable. It will create an environment where the community can gather for local exhibits, social events and more. It will also ensure the mansion is preserved for the next generation of visitors. Those who would like to contribute to the museum’s project may mail a check to the museum or donate online by visiting www.thechisolm. org If your interested I more information or contributing to the endowment you can contact Jason Harris the museum’s director at 405-375-5176 email jharris@ctmok. com . Jason also encouraged everyone to follow the new archival facebook page. You may see some familiar faces.
