The residence's first century

1912 Lumber baron Horace Hills Irvine and his wife, Clotilde, move into their new Tudor Revival mansion at 1006 Summit Av. The 20-room house, designed by architect William Channing Whitney, was built for an estimated $50,000.

1914 The Irvines' daughter, Clotilde "Coco," is born at home. The diary she kept as an adolescent growing up in the mansion later inspired the play "Coco's Diary," now running (through next Sunday) at the Minnesota History Theatre.

1922 The Irvines enlarge the solarium. It remains the only room in the mansion that has been structurally altered.

1965 Coco and her sister, Olivia, donate the mansion to the state of Minnesota to be used as a ceremonial governor's residence. Gov. Karl and First Lady Florence Rolvaag scramble to furnish the empty mansion in one month, in time for the visit of Crown Prince Harald of Norway. The governor is quoted saying, "We must beg, borrow or steal enough furniture to make the house look presentable." Minnesota residents stepped up, lending pieces for the occasion.

1966 The Rolvaags become the first gubernatorial family to live in the residence. The Rolvaags' dog is reportedly buried under the basement floor when it dies, the grave marked with a paw print in the concrete.

1967 Gov. Harold and First Lady Iantha LeVander move into the residence. Iantha adds flower gardens and public tours, part of an effort to spruce up what she called "the People's House."

1968 The first lady announces a design competition for a memorial to Minnesotans killed during the Vietnam War. The winning design is submitted by Paul Granlund, whose sculpture is dedicated in 1970.

1974 The residence is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1976 Gov. Rudy and First Lady Lola Perpich move in.

1979 Gov. Al and First Lady Gretchen Quie move in.

1980 The Governor's Residence Council is created by the Legislature to advise state officials on the preservation and maintenance of the building. The current garden is installed.

1982 Gretchen Quie founds the 1006 Summit Avenue Society, a nonprofit fundraising group dedicated to preserving the residence.

1989 The residence becomes a political football during a debate about insuring its contents. After a Republican legislator criticizes the Perpiches for living "a lavish lifestyle" on Summit Avenue, Lola holds a press conference to propose that the house and its contents be sold and the money be given to the homeless. The Perpiches open their door to reporters to show that the residence is in need of repair. A special commission is appointed; it concludes that the house should not be sold.

1990 "Gorbymania" descends on St. Paul, as thousands line Summit Avenue awaiting the arrival of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife, Raisa, who have lunch with the Perpiches in the residence.

1991 Gov. Arne and First Lady Susan Carlson move in. Their daughter Jessica, then age 7, becomes the first child to live in the governor's residence since the early 1970s.

1993 Susan Carlson adds a Children's Garden, inspired by one at the White House. The garden includes a koi pond and ornamental stones with plaques commemorating all the children who have lived at the residence, starting with the Irvines.

1995 The Carlsons become part-time residents, hosting official events at the Summit Avenue house but living primarily at their new home in Forest Lake. Carlson invites "Grumpier Old Men" producer John Davis to live in the residence while filming the movie in the Twin Cities.

2001 Ventura declares that the residence is in such desperate need of renovation that it should be torn down, and proposes a $4 million makeover.

2002 After the Legislature cuts the governor's security budget, Ventura closes the residence, lays off its staff and moves his family to their home in Maple Grove. Later, confidential memos are leaked revealing former staffers' concerns about parties hosted by the Venturas' son, Tyrel, and resulting damage to state property. The Venturas dispute the staffers' claims. After about four months, the residence is reopened under new staff.

2003 Gov. Tim and First Lady Mary Pawlenty move in.

2005 The drawing room gets new furniture, draperies and accessories, courtesy of the 1006 Summit Avenue Society.

2011 Gov. Mark Dayton becomes the first unmarried governor to live in the residence. He lives there with his shepherd dogs, Wanamingo, Mesabi and Itasca.