New regulations… shattered dreams

The Old Governor’s Mansion is scheduled to open once again to the public in the spring, but new regulations have shattered the dreams of Georgia College & State University student Jennifer Fallin.

Fallin contacted the student government association looking for help when she was abruptly told that her wedding could no longer be held at the Mansion in the spring.

“I had no idea that it was even a question until four months before our wedding. In January, we met with Jim Turner, who is the main curator,” Fallin said. “He told us the price, the rules and that we should be put on the calendar. I saw him write us in.”

Fallin said that she has been dreaming of having her wedding at the Mansion since she was six years old. When she became engaged, she immediately thought of the Mansion and contacted the proper authorities to begin planning.

This wedding may not be the only one effected by the new regulations.

“We know that at least one event was bumped from the Mansion in the spring,” said President Pro-Tem John Wright. ” I believe there may have been one or two more.”

However, Vice President and Dean of Faculties Dr. Anne Gormly said there was no contract signed, and the Fallin wedding was not “bumped.”

Fallin strongly disagreed.

“We had a verbal contract, which according to the lawyer with whom we have spoken, is binding in the state of Georgia,” Fallin said.

Invitations for the Fallin wedding have already been ordered with the date, time and place listed as planned, including The Old Governor’s Mansion. The order may or may not have been cancelled in time, and the money for the order may not be recoverable.

“We have not been able to find a place to accommodate the kind of wedding we have already spent unrecoverable time and money in Milledgeville,” Fallin said.

“Moving everything…will be incredible. All of our contracts are in Milledgeville, caterer, florist, baker, hairdresser, etc. If we move it all…that will be one more headache.”

Gormly backed the decision that was made to stop allowing private functions to be held as in the past.

“The broader public saw this [the Mansion] as a treasure. We need to demonstrate our stewardship. Georgia College & State University needs to demonstrate that they are caring for this treasure as a treasure. It’s not a party house, it’s for education,” Gormly said.

According to associate vice president Dr. Mark Pelton, the decision was made in mid-September to stop allowing the mansion to be used for public functions. Mansion director Jim Turner, Gormly, Pelton and President Dorothy Leland were involved in the decision.

Pelton referred to The Old Governor’s Mansion as a “priceless historic structure.” He also said that the National Historic Landmark is a local, state and national treasure.

“We are just completing a painstaking and loving $10 million restoration, and we do not want to risk damaging the newly restored structure by renting it out for parties and receptions,” Pelton said.

The restoration project began in February, 2002. Pelton said the purpose of the restoration was to bring the building back to the “condition it enjoyed” in the mid-1850s.

Dr. Gormly said this condition needs to be preserved by restricting what functions are held there.

“There may be some special events; the president may use the mansion…It’s to preserve the quality of the treasure,” Gormly said.

Pelton said that although the Mansion was often used for private social events in the past, the decision to do so reflected poorly on the university. The university was criticized around the state, and almost lost control of the Mansion.

The Mansion was inhabited by eight Georgian governors from the late 1830s to the late 1860s. Near the end of the nineteenth century, the Mansion became a part of GC&SU. The Mansion has since served as a dormitory, the home and office of past GC&SU presidents. “GC&SU students and those who live in Milledgeville tend to take the Old Governor’s Mansion for granted…The Mansion is more than just another pretty face. I hope that all our students will take the opportunity to visit and tour the Mansion when it opens in February and learn about the rich history surrounding the building and this community,” Pelton said.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 12 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry