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Pennsylvania Governor's Residence

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Coordinates: 40°16′39″N 76°53′56″W / 40.2775°N 76.8988°W / 40.2775; -76.8988
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Governor's Residence
The entrance to the Governor's Residence in 2010.
Map
General information
Architectural styleGeorgian
Location2035 North Front Street,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
United States
Coordinates40°16′39″N 76°53′56″W / 40.2775°N 76.8988°W / 40.2775; -76.8988
Construction startedDecember 1966
CompletedDecember 1968
InauguratedFebruary 1969
CostUS$2 million
ClientGovernor of Pennsylvania
OwnerPennsylvania Department of General Services
Design and construction
Architect(s)George M. Ewing
Website
Official Website
Official nameGovernor's Residence[1]

The Pennsylvania Governor's Residence is the official residence of the governor of Pennsylvania, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (PA).

Description and usage

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The neo-Georgian residence was built from 1966 to 1968 and designed by George M. Ewing, heading an architectural firm in Philadelphia.[2] The mansion was only used for official functions and meetings during Governor Tom Wolf's administration because he commuted from his private residence in nearby Mount Wolf.[3] Incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro and his family have resided in the Governor's Residence since 2023.

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence is a 29,000-square-foot (2,700 m2) home.[4] The seven-bay brick front has a wide projecting pedimented central bay, in which a Palladian window perches on a pedimented doorway. The mansion is home to two Steinway grand pianos used for concerts and to entertain dinner guests. Every holiday season, the house is open for special tours.

The mansion is adjacent to the Susquehanna River, and flooding has proven to be a significant hazard. Water intrusion in the basement area is a frequent issue, and the mansion has been evacuated three times since its construction due to serious inundation. The first and most serious time was during Hurricane Agnes in 1972; then-Governor Milton Shapp and his wife, Muriel, evacuated for the weekend and returned by boat to inspect the flooded damage, shown in a common photograph at the time.[5] The most recent was 2011 during Tropical Storm Lee.

In 2021, following years of planning, a $1.9 million renovation began on the courtyard to restore more greenspace, amenities, and accessibility.[6]

2025 arson attack

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Main article: Pennsylvania Governor's Residence fire

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on April 13, 2025, an arsonist set fire to the residence. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated, however, the southern portion of the residence sustained significant damage. Later that day, Cody Allen Balmer, a 38-year-old former mechanic from nearby Penbrook, Pennsylvania, turned himself in and was charged with terrorism, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.[7][8] Balmer reported that he "harbor[ed] hatred" towards the governor and was planning to physically assault Governor Shapiro using a small sledgehammer had he encountered him.[9][10] Following Balmer's arrest, his mother Christie Balmer told CBS News that her son has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and claimed that he "went off his medication."[11][12] The attack occurred on the first night of Passover, around 2 am, just hours after Shapiro and his family had partaken in a Passover Seder.[13][14] Balmer told police that he used two Molotov cocktails to set the residence on fire. [15]

References

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  1. ^ "PHMC Historical Markers Search". Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "History". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  3. ^ McKelvey, Wallace (December 9, 2014). "Governor's Residence to remain open, even as Tom Wolf plans commute to Harrisburg". Harrisburg Patriot-News. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "About the Residence". www.pa.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  5. ^ Kiner, Deb (June 20, 2019). "Tropical Storm Agnes Devastated Pa. in 1972: 'Battered, lashed, flooded and paralyzed'". pennlive. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  6. ^ Murphy, Jenn (November 11, 2021). "$1.9 million renovations to courtyard of Governor's Residence aims to make it 'more welcoming to all'". pennlive. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Madani, Doha; Persaud, Yasmeen; Eaglin, Maya; Cohen, Rebecca; Weir, Andy (April 13, 2025). "Suspect in custody after overnight arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence". NBC News. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  8. ^ Levy, Marc (April 13, 2025). "Suspect arrested in arson fire that forced Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, family to flee residence". Associated Press. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  9. ^ Cann, Christopher. "Suspect in arson attack at Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was 'harboring hatred': Live updates". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  10. ^ "Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's residence planned to beat him, documents say". AP News. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Is Cody Balmer mentally unfit? His mother makes bombshell claim about approaching 'four police departments'". Hindustan Times. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  12. ^ Boeckel, Nick Penzenstadler, Jo Ciavaglia and Teresa. "Man accused in Pennsylvania arson had limited criminal history: Who is Cody Balmer?". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 14, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Inside Edition (April 14, 2025). Suspect Arrested in Arson Attack on Pennsylvania Governor's Residence. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Mitman • •, Hayden (April 14, 2025). "Man arrested in arson of Governor's home had 'hatred' for Shapiro, police say". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  15. ^ Simon, Alexandra; Specht, Ed; Crawford, Liz; Snyder, Dan (April 14, 2025). "Cody Balmer was "harboring hatred" toward Shapiro before setting fire at Governor's Residence, documents say - CBS Philadelphia". CBS News. CBS News Philadelphia. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
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