Former Governors Help Raise Funds For Residence Restoration

The first families at the residence on Monday. Credit: Gov. Shapiro’s Office

Gov. Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted a bipartisan gathering of former governors and first ladies at the fire-damaged Governor’s Residence to support restoration efforts after an arson attack.

The event, which benefited the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, drew all five living former governors and their spouses, as well as representatives from the Casey and Thornburgh families, to the state-owned building that opened in 1968.

The reception in Harrisburg aimed to raise funds for the restoration of the residence, including the state dining room and reception area, which were significantly damaged in the mid-April attack.

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is working to restore the building, and the Shapiros hope to reopen the damaged areas to the public this summer, according to the governor’s office.

“We are so proud to serve as Governor and First Lady of our great Commonwealth,” the Shapiros said in a statement. “In the wake of the arson at the Governor’s Residence, we’ve been uplifted by the support of former Governors, First Ladies, and First Families. We’re proud to take up the baton from those who came before us and carry it forward – and as we gathered last night, we pledged to support the Residence together for generations to come.”

Among those attending were former Governors Tom Wolf, Tom Corbett, Ed Rendell, Mark Schweiker and Tom Ridge, and their respective first ladies. Former U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Terese Casey represented the Casey family, and David and John Thornburgh represented the Thornburgh family. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis also attended.

Mark Campbell, former chief of staff to Governors Ridge and Schweiker, noted the significance of the residence.

“All of us feel privileged to be members of the small group of people who have had the honor of serving Pennsylvania from the executive branch, and we wanted to be there to support the Shapiro family and staff after the heartbreaking attack on this historic home,” Campbell said. “I was so proud to see six different governors stand together, committed to rebuilding and restoring the Residence to ensure it remains a Pennsylvania treasure.”

Andrew Lowery, executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, highlighted the residence’s historical importance to the state.

“For over 55 years, the Governor’s Residence has been an important part of our commonwealth’s history – it’s where Governors and their cabinet have gathered to make important decisions, visiting dignitaries have dined, and members of the public have gotten to see priceless historical artifacts and works of art,” Lowery said. “To have all five former governors and first ladies – as well as members of the Casey and Thornburgh families – return to the residence last night shows how important this building is to our commonwealth.”

The cost to repair the Governor’s Residence has not been released.