Prior to 1877, governors of New York did not have an official residence in Albany. After Governor Samuel J. Tilden rented 138 Eagle Street for two years, Governor Lucius Robinson convinced the State Legislature to buy the house for $45,000.

Originally built in 1856, the Executive Mansion reflects the many different styles of the last half of the 19th century. The first house on this site was a simple Italianate structure that was renovated in the in 1860’s into a home with elaborate Second Empire details.

As years passed and as tastes changed and families grew, the Mansion evolved from a simple two-story house into the picturesque Queen Anne style building it is today. In 1971 the Executive Mansion and its grounds earned a place on the National Historic Register.

Beginning in 1983, First Lady Mrs. Matilda Cuomo undertook to preserve the historic nature of the house. Mrs. Cuomo oversaw the restoration of the nearly the entire first and second floors with the help of private funding. Much of this significant contribution to the Mansion’s history is visible today.

Today, we are equally committed to preserving the Mansion’s history while also remaining current with ideas, lifestyles and technologies On May 1, 2007 plans were unveiled to turn the Mansion into a “Green” building. This initiative brings clean, efficient technologies to the Mansion. Serving as a model for the state, the residential greening initiative will help address global climate change, while lowering energy bills