Governor & First Lady to Hold 50th Anniversary
Celebration for Governor’s Residence in 2007

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem invite Nebraskans to join them in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nebraska governor’s residence in August.

A week-long celebration will be hosted at the residence, located at 1425 H St. in Lincoln, beginning Sunday, Aug. 26 and concluding Friday, Aug. 31. The residence will be open for tours each afternoon and play host to a special series of speakers and historical displays held throughout the week.

The anniversary event will culminate on Friday evening with a 50s-themed celebration featuring activities for children and a street dance, as well as food and gifts from Nebraska vendors. All events will be open to the public.

Ganem said, “We wanted to do something special to observe this milestone that would give Nebraskans the opportunity to see this beautiful house. With so many visitors in town for the State Fair and other activities here in the capital city, the end of August seemed like a good time to invite Nebraskans to come be part of the celebration.”

Plans are also underway to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the residence with the release of a new cookbook featuring favorite recipes from governors, senators and other Nebraska statesmen. Proceeds from cookbook sales will be used to fund modernization projects for the residence. Cookbooks will be available for pre-order during the anniversary celebration and are expected to be ready for distribution early next year.

In 1945, the Legislature approved that a new residence be built to replace the home Nebraska governors had used since 1899. Construction began in 1957, and a fundraising effort was begun in 1997 to restore the Georgian Colonial-style home. A project updating the landscaping on the property followed in 2001, which also involved updates that helped the residence comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

More details on the 50th anniversary celebration will be posted as they become available on the Nebraska Governor’s Residence Web site, http://www.governorsresidence.ne.gov.