About the collection
The tradition of governors' gifts was begun by Raymond Shafer, the first governor to occupy the current Residence. In 1970, Shafer reached out to former governors and their descendants, requesting personal tokens to be preserved for the people of Pennsylvania. By the following year, the Residence had received 17 objects representing 14 governors. This tradition has continued with subsequent governors presenting a gift at the conclusion of their term.
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Monumental Time to Reflect
This glass sculpture, titled Monumental Time to Reflect, is the newest addition to the collection. It was created by Philadelphia-based artist John Pomp who added a bright interior to represent Governor Wolf’s accomplishments. Its shape is inspired by the Washington Monument.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Tom Wolf in 2024
Marcellus shale core sample
The core sample is a reference to the Marcellus Shale Commission, established by the governor in 2011 to develop policy recommendations on natural gas resources. He later signed some of these policies into law.
- Gifted in 2015
Ceraminc vase
Mrs. Corbett preferred a gift that was more sightly, so they also gifted the ceramic vase.
- Gifted in 2015
Peacekeeper
The Peacekeeper sculpture depicts a young boy holding a pug in his lap while he mediates between the dog and cat on opposite sides of the bench. The sculpture was created by George Lundeen. Peacekeeper is located in near the entrance to Penn’s Woods in the Rochard C. von Hess Gardens.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Edward Rendell
Miner’s lamp
The brass miner’s lamp represents Governor’s Schweiker’s role in the rescue of the nine men involved in the Quecreek mine incident in July 2002. He remained at the mine site during the entire mission and became known for his “Nine for Nine” slogan that he repeated throughout the rescue.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Mark Schweiker in 2003
United States sculpture
In this miniature sculpture of the United States, the state of Pennsylvania is projected off the map. A quote from Governor Ridge is etched into the sculpture. “A leader among states, and a competitor among nations.”
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Tom Ridge in 2001
Benjamin Franklin Liberty Bowl
This bowl was made by Waterford Crystal for their American Heritage Collection. The scalloped edges are inspired by the rising sun design that Benjamin Franklin saw on George Washington’s chair at the Constitutional Convention. The Irish-made crystal glass is also symbolic of Casey’s Irish roots.
Carved cardinals
As lifelong nature lovers, the Thornburghs gifted these cardinals, which were hand-carved by the Governor’s brother, Charles Thornburgh, Jr. Each bird is carved from a single block of basswood and mounted on Manzanita root. The base is made of walnut.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Richard Thornburgh in 1983
Seesaw figurine
The Shapps left a figurine of children on a seesaw. This honors the nursery school that First Lady Muriel Matzkin Shapp started at the Residence in 1971. The Residence also hosted an education program she created for Pennsylvanians seniors.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Milton Shapp in 1981
Sterling silver circular tray
The inscription of the front of the trays begins with “To Lead the Nation” and includes an excerpt from the inaugural address the Governor gave on January 27, 1967.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. Raymond Shafer in 1977
Westmoreland glass wedding cake box
The wedding tradition of separate cakes for the bride and groom dates to the Victorian era. This milk glass cake box would have been used for the bride’s cake. Governor Lawrence was a Pittsburgh native, and this style of milk glass cake box was exclusively manufactured in the neighboring county by the Westmoreland Glass Company.
- Gifted by Judge Genevieve Blatt in 1981
Silver Christening bowl
This baptismal bowl was first used for Governor Leader’s children, Jane and David, whose names are inscribed on the front. His son was the last child baptized at the old executive mansion. In 1988, the former governor borrowed the bowl and did not return it to the Residence for 16 years.
- Gifted by Gov. and Mrs. George M. Leader in 1977
Blown glass paperweight
This vintage blown glass paperweight features red, white, and green flowers.
- Gifted in 1977
Copper luster pitcher
This pitcher was donated from Mrs. Martin’s extensive collection of pitchers. The full collection contains more than 400 pieces.
- Gifted in 1977
Bailey Banks & Biddle silver coffee service
The three-piece coffee service includes a coffee pot, a sugar bowl, and a cream pitcher. It was produced by iconic Philadelphia jeweler and designer, Bailey Banks & Biddle. While Bailey Banks & Biddle originally specialized in silverware, they are most known for their designs of the Purple Heart medal and the Great Seal of the United States.
- Gifted in 1977
Pickle jar
This is a quadruple silver-plated glass pickle jar. The matching set of tongs hangs off the left side of the jar.
- Gifted by Mrs. Robert M. Fisher in 1977
Three-handled loving cup
Loving cups were traditionally used at weddings, feasts, or banquets and passed between guests to symbolize friendship, unity, or love. There are two sets of initials on the cup: “GP” for Gifford Pinchot and “CEP” for his wife, Cornelia Elizabeth Pinchot. This cup was given to the couple by the governor’s mother on their wedding day.
- Gifted by Dr. Gifford B. Pinchot in 1977
Gavels
The smaller gavel was a gift to the governor. The inscription says, “To Hon. Wm. E. Sproul from Wm. Kingsley carved from the 150-year-old elm in Independence Square, cut down, October 1923.”
- Gifted in 1977
Miniature Cromwellian chair
Philadelphia department store tycoon, John Wanamaker, gifted Governor Brumbaugh this replica of a Cromwellian chair.
- Gifted by Mrs. Martin Brumbaugh in 1977
Silver compote
Brumbaugh’s family also gifted a silver compote from a golf championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where the Governor was vacationing before his death in 1930.
- Gifted by Mrs. Martin Brumbaugh in 1977
Silver bowl
Governor Stuart originally gave this silver bowl to a relative as a wedding gift. The relative then had the letter “D” engraved into its center.
- Gifted by Victoria Donohoe in 1985
Pennsylvania German redware plate
This plate was donated during the opening of the Governor Samuel Pennypacker Exhibit in 2006 in conjunction with the Capitol Centennial Celebration. It depicts the governor’s former home, Pennypacker Mills. He had these plates commissioned in 1904 to gift to his friends and family.
- Gifted in 2006
Flute glass
This is a gilt-trimmed flute glass with a faux monogram.
- Gifted in 1977
Porcelain Soup Cup and Saucer
The Willets Manufacturing Company in Trenton, New Jersey, made porcelain, like this soup cup and saucer, in the 19th century that resembled Irish Belleek porcelain. Authentic Belleek porcelain is internationally renowned for its intricacy and imitation of marble.
- Gifted in 1977
Glass inkwell
This is a ribbed-glass inkwell with a zinc top.
- Gifted by Mr. Robert E. Pattison, Jr. in 1969
Silver letter opener
This miniature dress sword and scabbard functions as a letter opener when unsheathed. Governor Hartranft opened every piece of mail with this letter opener. Before becoming governor, he was a military officer for the Union Army and may have carried a similar dress sword.
- Gifted by descendants in 2000
Brass spurs
Governor Geary wore these spurs when he rose from the rank of colonel of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment to brevet major general of the 20th Corps’ White Star Division. He was also known for riding his horse to the office.
- Gifted in 2012
Porcelain soup plate
Governor Curtin’s great grandson donated two of these porcelain soup plates, but the second one went missing. The monogram “KC” is inscribed at the top of the plate within the robin’s egg blue border.
- Gifted by Mr. Henry Rolin Curtin in 1977