State Dining Room

The State Dining Room has been consistently used for official state dinners since the Governor’s Mansion was built. In this room, Governors have discussed the most critical state issues with officials and dignitaries as well as with their own families. The Governors celebrated the holidays with their families, and that tradition continues today.

Just as other rooms reflected the pioneer character of Texas in the early days, so did the dining room. In 1856, the furnishings were scarce and simple. The house ended at the back wall of the room. The 1914 addition created the openings from the dining room into the newly constructed Conservatory.

The State Dining Room is decorated in rich blues and reds to compliment the Tabriz rug, circa 1925-1930. A rare set of twelve Federal dining chairs and a similar set of six Empire chairs attributed to New York cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe allow for seating up to eighteen guests at the table for Mansion entertaining. The two fireplaces and their chimneys were restored during the 1979-1982 restoration-renovation.