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92-458: On January 12, 1904, Henry Endicott's home burnt to the ground while he and his family were away. The fire department was not able to get to the estate in time as they were dealing with three other fires simultaneously, including one at the fire house, and deep snow. The fire was discovered around 10 p.m. by a caretaker who lived in the house. It took several hours to extinguish the flames. The house and furnishings were valued at more than $ 15,000. It

184-446: A ballroom, a mirrored parlor, a butler's kitchen, a linen room, and servants' quarters. When a radiator burst during the construction, "causing a raging river to crash down the main stairway," he tore down one end of the house and burned a pile of beautiful wall paneling, parquet floors, and elegant woodwork, much to the dismay of his neighbors. An additional 70' was then added onto the house. Construction cost $ 60,000. A gardener's cottage

276-738: A complete listing. The front doors of the State House are only opened when a governor leaves office, a head of state or the president of the United States comes to visit the State House, or for the return of flags from Massachusetts regiments at the end of wars. The tradition of the ceremonial door originated when departing governor Benjamin Butler kicked open the front door and walked out by himself in 1884. Incoming governors usually choose at least one past governor's portrait to hang in their office. Immediately before being sworn into office,

368-541: A judicial case resulted in another reform in 1638, where the Council of Assistants became an upper house that sat separately, with consent of both houses required to pass legislation. In October 1650 the General Court took exception to the book The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption by William Pynchon . They regarded it as containing many errors and heresies and decided to make their views very plain by having

460-426: A law. It is usually effective in ninety days. The day after the governor signs the bill is considered to be the first day, and each succeeding day, including Sundays and holidays is counted until the ninetieth. Laws considered "emergency" in nature take effect immediately upon signing if the legislature has voted to attach an "emergency preamble" to the bill. Adoption of the preamble requires a two-thirds standing vote of

552-659: A letter to the Board of Selectmen, indicating that she intended to leave the house and grounds, then-valued at $ 600,000, to the Town when she died. At the time, it was speculated that it may become the site of a new high school, swimming pool, and town hall. Katherine, who lived with a staff of 12 on the Estate, died in 1967 without any children and willed the land and the estate to the town for "public educational purposes, public recreational purposes, or other exclusively public purposes." At

644-456: A permanent residence for five or six Massachusetts state troopers who would provide security. An additional staff of five to 12 people, possibly inmates from state prisons, to run the house was considered. A fence and additional landscaping was also planned. Plans alone cost $ 20,000. Jennie Volpe, who was made an honorary commission member to provide "realistic advice," wanted an upstairs work room so that her husband would not disturb her while she

736-513: A private citizen. Benjamin Butler started the tradition in 1884. Some walks have been modified with some past governors having their wives, friends, or staff accompany them. A 19-gun salute is offered during the walk, and frequently the steps are lined by the outgoing governor's friends and supporters. In January 1991, outgoing lieutenant governor Evelyn Murphy , the first woman elected to statewide office in Massachusetts, walked down

828-677: A proposal to establish the Shirley–Eustis House in Roxbury , built by royal Governor William Shirley , as the official residence. At one time, Governor John A. Volpe accepted the donation of the Endicott Estate in Dedham from the heirs of Henry Bradford Endicott . He intended to renovate the 19th-century mansion into a splendid governor's residence. After Volpe resigned to become United States Secretary of Transportation in

920-692: A royally appointed governor who resided in Boston and served at the King's pleasure. Though there existed a council which served as a quasi-legislature, however the logistics of calling the council to meet were so arduous that the Dominion was essentially governed by the Crown through the royal governor. The reason for the creation of such a post was there existed tremendous hostility between the Kingdom of England and

1012-563: A single unit in 1686, but collapsed in 1689. In 1692 the Province of Massachusetts Bay was established, merging Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, which then included the territory of present-day Maine . Colonial governors of Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colony were elected annually by a limited subset of the male population (known as freemen ), while Dominion officials and those of the 1692 province were appointed by

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1104-452: A state legislature in the United States. She was outed against her will following the election and served one term. As of 2018, the General Court was composed of 75 percent male and 25 percent female representation. There are 40 senatorial districts in Massachusetts, named for the counties in which they are located. There are 160 representational districts in Massachusetts, named for the counties in which they are located. The speaker of

1196-688: A stint as acting governor, but was elected governor several years later. Prior to 1918 constitutional reforms, both the governor's office and that of lieutenant governor were vacant on one occasion, when the state was governed by the Governor's Council . The colonial history of Massachusetts begins with the founding first of the Plymouth Colony in 1620, and then the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628. The Dominion of New England combined these and other New England colonies into

1288-457: Is a full-time legislature, although not to the extent of neighboring New York or some other states. The earliest history of the General Court is in the original charter of 1629. Massachusetts Bay Colony , one of the original Thirteen Colonies , was a royally chartered joint stock company founded in 1628 in London . Much like other joint-stock companies of the time the first General Court

1380-452: Is a holdover from the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony , when the colonial assembly, in addition to making laws, sat as a judicial court of appeals . Before the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, it was called the Great and General Court , but the official title was shortened by John Adams , author of the state constitution . It is a bicameral body . The upper house

1472-588: Is a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council , a popularly elected council with eight members who provide advice and consent on certain legal matters and appointments. Beginning with the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1629, the role of the governor has changed throughout its history in terms of powers and selection. The modern form of the position was created in the 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts , which called for

1564-465: Is an elected position. The term of office is four years, with no term limit . Elections for governor are held on a four-year basis concurrently with elections for the offices of lieutenant governor , attorney general , secretary of the commonwealth , state treasurer , and state auditor . The role of governor has existed in Massachusetts since the Royal Charter of 1628. The original role

1656-412: Is composed of six senators and eleven representatives. The standing committees schedule public hearings for the individual bills, which afford citizens, legislators and lobbyists the opportunity to express their views. Committee members meet at a later time in executive session to review the public testimony and discuss the merits of each bill before making their recommendations to the full membership of

1748-400: Is referred to as "the lieutenant-governor, acting governor" in official documents. Despite this terminology, the Massachusetts courts have found that the full authority of the office of the governor devolves to the lieutenant governor upon vacancy in the office of governor, and that there is no circumstance short of death, resignation, or impeachment that would relieve the acting governor from

1840-737: Is referred to the Senate or House Committee on Ways and Means after the first reading. Adverse reports ("ought not to pass") are also referred to the Committee on Steering and Policy in the Senate or placed without debate in the Orders of the Day for the next session of the House. Acceptance by either branch of an adverse report is considered the final rejection and the matter of the matter. However, an adverse report can be overturned. A member may move to substitute

1932-471: Is said that "Henry took the burning of the homestead as a divine command to rebuild, and rebuild he did, although not without incident.” He cleared the ashes away and built a new homestead on the 15-acre (61,000 m) parcel, today known as the Endicott Estate, and bought a new fire truck for the Town. The three-story house he constructed has nine bathrooms, eight bedrooms, a library, a music room,

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2024-813: Is the Massachusetts Senate which is composed of 40 members. The lower body , the Massachusetts House of Representatives , has 160 members; until 1978, the state house had 240 members. It meets in the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill in Boston. Since 1959, Democrats have controlled both houses of the Massachusetts General Court, often by large majorities. The Democrats enjoyed veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers for part of

2116-448: Is the chief executive of the commonwealth, and is supported by a number of subordinate officers. He, like most other state officers, senators, and representatives, was originally elected annually. In 1918 this was changed to a two-year term, and since 1966 the office of governor has carried a four-year term. The governor of Massachusetts does not receive a mansion or other official residence and resides in their own private residence. However,

2208-713: The Glorious Revolution and the Boston Revolt the Dominion was abolished in 1689. With the creation of the Massachusetts Charter in 1691, the role of civilian governor was restored in Massachusetts Bay. Now the Province of Massachusetts Bay , the colony then encompassed the territory of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony , and areas of what is now the state of Maine . The governor however would not be chosen by

2300-577: The Nixon administration , the plan was aborted by his successor in consideration of budgetary constraints and because the location was considered too far from the seat of power, the State House in Boston. Prior to their respective demolitions in 1922 and 1863, the Province House and the Hancock Manor were also proposed as official residences. Since the governor has no official residence,

2392-534: The President of the Senate before a joint session of the House and Senate. Upon completion of their term, the departing governor takes a "lone walk" down the Grand Staircase, through the House of Flags, into Doric Hall, out the central doors, and down the steps of the Massachusetts State House . The governor then crosses the street into Boston Common , thereby symbolically rejoining the commonwealth as

2484-606: The legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since the adoption of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780. The body was in operation before Massachusetts became a U.S. state on February 6, 1788 . The first sessions, starting in 1780 , were one-year elected sessions for both houses. This was expanded to two-year sessions starting with the 142nd General Court in January 1921. Thereafter,

2576-619: The 1990s (i.e., enough votes to override vetoes by a governor) and also currently hold supermajorities in both chambers. State senators and representatives both serve two-year terms. There are no term limits ; a term limit was enacted by initiative in Massachusetts in 1994 but in 1997 was struck down by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court , which ruled that it was an unconstitutional attempt to provide additional qualifications for office by statute, rather than constitutional amendment. The legislature

2668-517: The Annual BSAAC Antique Car Show, Car Corral & Trading Bee Family Fun Day. The mansion's main floor houses a Grand Ballroom, which is “framed by Ionic columns and duel balustrades, adds a classical touch to holiday parties, art shows, concerts and seminars.” The lower level of the structure is complete with a library, dining room, mirrored parlor, music room, as well as a fully functional kitchen. There are also six rooms on

2760-747: The British crown. In 1774 General Thomas Gage became the last royally appointed governor of Massachusetts. He was recalled to England after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, by which time the Massachusetts Provincial Congress exercised de facto control of Massachusetts territory outside British-occupied Boston . Between 1775 and the establishment of the Massachusetts State Constitution in 1780

2852-506: The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. This amounts to preliminary approval of the bill in that branch. That committee examines technical points, as well as the legality and constitutionality of the measure, and ensures that it does not duplicate or contradict existing law. The committee then issues a report and returns the bill to the House or Senate for its third reading. At that time, legislators can further debate and amend

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2944-418: The Commonwealth gave the Estate back to the Town in 1969. In his inaugural address, new Governor Francis W. Sargent said "Massachusetts, in 1969, cannot afford the luxury of a million dollar Governor's Mansion." The Endicott Estate is now used to host a multitude of events, both formal and informal. This ranges from “weddings, receptions, and cocktail parties, to business meetings, art shows and more”, such as

3036-548: The Friends of the Endicott Estate, was founded by Virginia Schortmann. Another organization, the Katherine Endicott Foundation, was founded in the 2000s. Massachusetts Governor%27s Mansion The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the chief executive officer of the government of Massachusetts . The governor is the head of the state cabinet and the commander-in-chief of

3128-425: The House has historically been quite powerful, exerting significant influence over all aspects of state government. The General Court is responsible for enacting laws in the state. The two legislative branches work concurrently on pending laws brought before them. Lawmaking begins when legislators, or their delegates, file petitions accompanied by bills, resolves or other types of legislation electronically, using

3220-604: The House or Senate. Matters not requiring reference to another Joint, House or Senate committee are, following the first reading, referred without debate to the Committee on Senate Rules if reported in the Senate, except certain special laws (relative to a city or town) are placed directly on the Senate Calendar (Orders of the Day), or, without debate to the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling committee if reported into

3312-524: The House or Senate. The Health Care Financing Committee is required to provide an estimated cost of the bill, when making their report. If the estimated cost is less than $ 100,000, the bill bypasses having to be referred to Ways and Means. If a bill is not related to health care, but affects the finances of the Commonwealth, or, if it is reported by the Health Care Financing Committee with an estimated cost greater than $ 100,000, it

3404-512: The House or Senate. The public may still observe "executive" sessions, but may not participate in these meetings. The committee then issues its report, recommending that a bill "ought to pass" or "ought not to pass" and the report is submitted to the Clerk's office. The first reading of a favorably reported bill is automatic and generally occurs when the committee's report appears in the Journal of

3496-558: The House. Reports from Senate Rules or House Steering, Policy and Scheduling are placed on the Calendar of the Chamber receiving the report for a second reading. If a bill reported favorably by a joint committee affects health care it is referred by the House or Senate Clerk to the joint committee on Health Care Financing; and the first reading is delayed until the next favorable report, thus allowing Health Care Financing to report to either

3588-597: The Legislative Automated Workflow System (LAWS). The electronically submitted legislation is received in the House or Senate Clerk's office where the petitions , bills , and resolves are recorded in an electronic docket book. The clerks number the bills and assign them to appropriate joint committees. There are 26 of these committees, each responsible for studying the bills which pertain to specific policy areas, taxation , education , health care , insurance , and others. Each committee

3680-434: The authority of the General Court. Under this new system the religious qualification, that suffrage be for only Puritan men, was changed to a qualification of property ownership. The Assistants were also officially changed to a Governor's Council to be selected by the governor to act as an upper house as well as a council for advice and consent . All laws passed by the General Court were to be approved by Royal Governor of

3772-417: The bill for the report, and, if the motion to substitute carries, the matter is then given its first reading and follows the same procedure as if reported favorably by committee. After a bill is read for a second time, it is open to debate on amendments and motions . Following debate, a vote is taken and if the bill receives a favorable vote by the membership, it is ordered to a third reading and referred to

Endicott Estate - Misplaced Pages Continue

3864-425: The bill, first in the House and later in the Senate, is the final step in the passage of a bill by the legislature. Following enactment, the bill goes to the governor , who may sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without signing it (if the governor holds the bill for ten days without taking any action while the legislature is in session, it becomes law without his or her signature), veto it, or return it to

3956-554: The bill. Following the third reading, the body votes on "passing the bill to be engrossed." The bill must then pass through three readings and engrossment in the second legislative branch. Should that occur, it is sent to the Legislative Engrossing Division where it is typed on special parchment in accordance with the General Laws . However, if the second branch passes an amended version of the bill,

4048-627: The book burnt on Boston Common . With the collapse of the Dominion of New England in the Glorious Revolution in 1689 The Assistants convened an assembly of delegates from each town to reform the General Court. With the Massachusetts Charter in 1691 the Province of Massachusetts Bay absorbed the colony of Plymouth . The Plymouth Colony , along with the District of Maine and the islands off Cape Cod , Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket were to be an extension of Massachusetts and thus under

4140-548: The city on March 17, 1776. The Governor's Council acted as the executive in the absence of the governor and lieutenant governor, administering the rebel forces of the colony during the early years of the American Revolutionary War , which began in Massachusetts at the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The General Assembly declared Massachusetts independent from Britain on May 1, 1776. With

4232-657: The colonists of Massachusetts Bay. In an effort to bring the colonies under tighter control the Crown dismantled the old assembly system and created the Viceroy system based on the Spanish model in New Spain . This model of government was greatly disliked by the colonists all throughout British North America but especially in New England where colonists at one time did have some semblance of democratic and local control. With

4324-582: The colony. Soon after, Governor John Winthrop and the Deputy Governor Thomas Dudley broke with protocol when they themselves traveled to New England and moved the government to Massachusetts Bay. Along with them came the stock holders of the company and the Council of Assistants . Once in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the new government reorganized itself out of convenience. Instead of attempting to assemble all stockholders to

4416-418: The commonwealth's military forces . Massachusetts has a republican system of government that is akin to a presidential system . The governor acts as the head of government while having a distinct role from that of the legislative branch . The governor has far-reaching political obligations, including ceremonial and political duties. The governor also signs bills into law and has veto power . The governor

4508-488: The company. These officials were to have royally assented governmental control of the colony and would be tasked with the management and defense of the colonial plantation. The first Court assembled would be made from these members to discuss and evaluate the situation of the colony. The first meeting of the original General Court took place in London in 1629. The General Court selected John Endicott as its representative to

4600-519: The discretion of local magistrates creating a theocratic quasi-democratic state. By votes of the General Court in the 1630s, the system of government changed to have an elected governor and to restrict the list of "freemen" to those affiliated with certain Puritan churches. In 1634, after complaint the charter was not being followed, a compromise resulted in recomposition of the General Court as two deputies elected by freemen in each town. Problems with

4692-441: The election. There are no term limits restricting how long a governor may serve. The longest-serving Massachusetts governor is Michael Dukakis , who served 12 years; Dukakis was in office from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. The current governor is Maura Healey , a Democrat who won the 2022 gubernatorial election . Any person seeking to become governor of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements: The governor

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4784-487: The electorate, instead the position would remain a royal appointment. In order to ease tensions with royal authorities and the colonists the General Court was reestablished and given significant powers. This created acrimony between the governors and the assembly of the General Court. The governor could veto any decision made by the assembly and had control over the militia , however the General Court had authority of

4876-464: The executive for ten days; the council's chair, Thomas Dawes was at no point named governor or acting governor. Article LV of the Constitution, enacted in 1918, created a new line of succession: The governor has a 10-person cabinet, each of whom oversees a portion of the government under direct administration (as opposed to independent executive agencies). See Government of Massachusetts for

4968-530: The expression "corner office", rather than "governor's mansion", is commonly used in the press as a metonym for the office of governor. This refers instead to the governor's office on the third floor of the State House. Since 1780, 65 people have been elected governor, six to non-consecutive terms ( John Hancock , Caleb Strong , Marcus Morton , John Davis , John Volpe , and Michael Dukakis ), and seven lieutenant governors have acted as governor without subsequently being elected governor. Thomas Talbot served

5060-510: The first Wednesday in the January after the election in 1950, and terms were lengthened to four years in 1966. Citations Sources Massachusetts General Court Minority (4) Minority (24) Vacant (1) The Massachusetts General Court , formally the General Court of Massachusetts , is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts located in the state capital of Boston . The name "General Court"

5152-641: The form of the Governor, the Governor's Council, etc. had more executive authority the Court could cause political stalemate if its demands were not met. Even the Governor's reserve power to dissolve the General Court was ineffective because a new assembly had to be elected the following year. With the passage of the Intolerable Acts by the Parliament of Great Britain there was political turmoil in

5244-417: The framers of the state constitution revived it because they found it fitting to dignify the governor with this title. The governor also serves as commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's armed forces. According to the Massachusetts State Constitution : Whenever the chair of the governor shall be vacant, by reason of his death, or absence from the commonwealth, or otherwise, the lieutenant governor, for

5336-421: The full gubernatorial responsibilities. The first use of the succession provision occurred in 1785, five years after the constitution's adoption, when Governor John Hancock resigned the post, leaving Lieutenant Governor Thomas Cushing as acting governor. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci . When the constitution was first adopted, the Governor's Council

5428-455: The governor does receive a housing allowance/stipend for $ 65,000. The title "His Excellency" is a holdover from the royally appointed governors of the Province of Massachusetts Bay . The first governor to use the title was Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont , in 1699; since he was an Earl , it was thought proper to call him "Your Excellency." The title was retained until 1742, when an order from King George II forbade its further use. However,

5520-624: The governor-elect receives four symbols from the departing governor: the ceremonial pewter "Key" for the governor's office door, the Butler Bible, the "Gavel", and a two-volume set of the Massachusetts General Statutes with a personal note from the departing governor to their successor added to the back of the text. The governor-elect is then escorted by the sergeant-at-arms to the House Chamber and sworn in by

5612-521: The governor. The early governors of Massachusetts Bay were staunchly Puritan colonists who wished to form a state that coincided with religious law. With the founding of the Dominion of New England by James II of England , the New England colonies were combined with the Province of New York , Province of West Jersey , and the Province of East Jersey . During this period (1686–1689) Massachusetts had no governor of its own. Instead there existed

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5704-473: The home with historic pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts and other wealthy citizens. While the home had multiple bathrooms, it only had one shower, a "a cocoon-like metal contraption that sprays water from all directions" with undependable water temperature. Parking for 100 cars was planned, a helicopter landing pad was also discussed, as was a gym and swimming pool. The caretaker's home was to be converted into

5796-455: The house were needed, which was described as "a mixture of elegance and impracticality" for the beautiful construction but lack of dishwasher, garbage disposal, and electric wiring that could not handle air conditioning. It was said that it was a "sprawling, fascinating house that needs a lot of the most careful kind of renovation." A five-member commission was created to oversee the work, and William G. Perry of Perry, Dean, Hepburn & Stewart

5888-415: The legislation returns to the original branch for a vote of concurrence in the amendment. If concurrence is rejected, a conference committee consisting of the three members from each legislative branch representing both political parties may be formed to effect a compromise piece of legislation. When a compromise is reached, the bill is sent to both legislative branches for their approval. A vote "to enact"

5980-429: The legislative year was defined as: "The first legislative year starting with the opening of the biennial session and ends at midnight on Tuesday before the first Wednesday of the following year. The second legislative year starts on the first Wednesday of the second year and ends when the legislature prorogues or at midnight on Tuesday before the first Wednesday of the following year. Watson F. Hammond , seated in 1885,

6072-462: The legislature with recommended changes. If the legislature has concluded its yearly session, and the governor does not sign the bill within ten days, it dies. This is referred to as a " pocket veto ." This ten-day period includes Sundays and holidays, even if they fall on the tenth day, and it begins the day after the legislation is laid on the governor's desk. A bill signed by the governor, or passed by two-thirds of both branches over his veto, becomes

6164-443: The meeting of the General Court the government decided on having each town elect two representatives to send in their stead. The General Court became a de facto bicameral legislature by virtue of the distinction between delegates elected by towns and the Council of Assistants. The assistants acted as magistrates and counselors of jurisprudence, however when in session they served as a sort of upper house . Their assent and approval

6256-512: The membership. The governor may also declare an act to be an emergency law and make it effective at once. A special act takes effect thirty days from the day it is signed, unless it contains a provision to make it effective immediately. The State House News Service is an independent privately owned wire service based in the Massachusetts State House that provides comprehensive coverage of the Commonwealth's government. It

6348-609: The passage of the Stamp Act Governor Thomas Hutchinson had his home broken into and ransacked. The early stages of the American Revolution saw political turmoil in Massachusetts Bay. With the passage of the Intolerable Acts the then Royal Governor Thomas Gage dissolved the General Court and began to govern the province by decree. In 1774 the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was formed as an alternative revolutionary government to

6440-484: The position of a "supreme executive magistrate". Governors of Massachusetts are elected every four years during state elections that are held on the first Tuesday of November after November 1. As of November 2022, the most recent Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held in 2022 . Following each gubernatorial election, the elected governor is inaugurated on the Thursday after the first Wednesday in January following

6532-401: The province. The powers of the monarch to be expanded in this new system as well. The King had full control of maritime affairs and acted as an executive, through the Royal Governor, to enforce commercial law. This separation of powers led to some friction with the Royal Governor and the General Court. The General Court retained power over spending and budget and while the Royal Officers, in

6624-555: The province. With political disorder Thomas Gage , then the Royal Governor, cancelled the new elections for the General Court and in 1774 the assembly was essentially dissolved. This allowed the governor to rule by decree and appoint town governments. In defiance of both Crown law and Gage, members of the General Court formed the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and seized control of the colony except for Boston, where British troops maintained control until when they evacuated

6716-534: The purchase. Governor John Volpe took the title to the 25 room estate, which became his first choice after touring it in May, in a ceremony on December 7, 1967. The public was invited to attend a reception where Volpe's wife, Jennie, chatted with residents. Locals believed the town would become "the second capital" of Massachusetts. The Volpes sold their home in Winchester, Massachusetts in early-1968. Renovations to

6808-516: The royal government in Boston. With Massachusetts Bay declaring its independence in May 1776 the role of governor was vacant for four years. The executive role during this time was filled by the Governor's Council, the Committee of Safety, and the president of the Congress when in session. With the adoption of the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780 the role of an elected civilian governor

6900-452: The stairs before Governor Michael Dukakis . In a break from tradition, the January 2007 inauguration of Governor Deval Patrick took place the day after outgoing governor Mitt Romney took the lone walk down the front steps. Despite several proposals for establishing an official residence for the governor of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have a governor's mansion. In 1955, Governor Foster Furcolo turned down

6992-411: The state was governed by the provincial congress and an executive council. The constitution of Massachusetts created the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, to be elected annually. Terms were lengthened to two years in 1918, to last until their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Wednesday in the January after their election. This was changed to the Thursday following

7084-517: The time being, shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the governor, and shall have and exercise all the powers and authorities, which by this constitution the governor is vested with, when personally present. The Constitution does not use the term "acting governor", but the practice in Massachusetts has been that the lieutenant governor retains the position and title as "lieutenant governor" and becomes acting governor, not governor. The lieutenant governor, when acting as governor,

7176-406: The time the "town didn't know quite what to do with it," leaving them with "a most pleasant problem." The several schools that were in need of construction in 1955 had already been built by this point. Not knowing what else to do, Town Meeting voted to offer it to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be used as the Massachusetts Governor's Mansion after going to Probate Court to change the terms of

7268-480: The treasury and provincial finances. This meant that in the event the governor did not agree with or consent with the rulings and laws of the General Court then the assembly would threaten to withhold any pay for the governor and other Royal Officers. From 1765 on the unraveling of the Province into a full political crisis only increased the tensions between the governor and the people of Massachusetts Bay. Following

7360-659: The upper level, which are mostly used for workshops and business meetings. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. What was a nine car garage on the Mt. Vernon Street side of the property today serves as the Endicott branch of the Dedham Public Library. A fire destroyed the barn, which was built in 1932, in the early morning hours of November 16, 2019. A fundraising group,

7452-543: The war still ongoing, demands for government reform resulted in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1778 , but the text proposed by the legislature failed in a statewide voter referendum. The Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779–1780 was held by a specially-elected body, and the resulting text, after amendment and ratification, became the current state constitution. The current Massachusetts General Court has met as

7544-438: The will. The state agreed to pay $ 160,000, plus $ 20,000 a year to partially recoup the taxes that would be lost on it. The year before Katherine died, taxes were $ 50,000. The effort to purchase the Estate was a bipartisan effort, with Dedham's Republican representative, Harold Rosen , and Boston's Gerald Morissey, a Democrat, filing the legislation to take the Estate. The chairmen of both state parties issued statements supporting

7636-549: Was a meeting of shareholders, known as freemen . The "Great and General Court" was to meet in London and elect its officers and members in the same manner as other colonial charted companies of the time such as the Virginia Company and the East India Company . The freemen would meet annually to elect representatives in the form of a Royal Governor, a Deputy Governor, and a Council made from the directors of

7728-416: Was built across the street at 132 Sanderson St. When complete, it included "carved moldings that couldn't be reproduced at any cost," large all marble bathrooms, "intricate wall sconces," and a pipe organ. Katherine would never allow a tree, no matter how old, to be cut down. When he died in 1920 he left the building to his wife, who in turn left it to her daughter Katherine in 1944. In 1955, Katherine wrote

7820-455: Was charged with acting as governor in the event that both the governorship and lieutenant governorship were vacant. This occurred in 1799 when Governor Increase Sumner died in office on June 7, 1799, leaving Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill as acting governor. Acting Governor Gill never received a lieutenant and died on May 20, 1800, between that year's election and the inauguration of Governor-elect Caleb Strong . The Governor's Council served as

7912-411: Was hired to develop the plans. Original estimates ran around $ 100,000, and the commission asked for an initial $ 300,000 appropriation to "convert it from a home to a spacious place for the state to entertain." The kitchen was to be updated, and the dining room expanded to seat at least 60 people, much more than the original 16. The commission planned to install air conditioning and to furnish and decorate

8004-446: Was in bed, as well as a chapel. It soon became apparent that it would be cheaper to build a brand new mansion than to remodel the estate to Jennie Volpe's "lavish taste" and "crazy notions," including ripping out the "incomparable mahogany and sycamore wood paneling" and replacing it with pastel plaster. The Massachusetts General Court denied a request for an additional $ 385,000. By May 1968, cost estimates ran as high as $ 1 million, and

8096-451: Was needed in order for any decision from the house of delegates to be passed. The new legislature was elected annually. Suffrage was allowed only for men who were Puritan church members and freemen. This General Court removed any feudal restraints on the population and codified a Bill of Rights and powers of a judiciary. The General Court also enshrined the Laws of Moses as legal code under

8188-435: Was one of a president of the board of a joint-stock company , namely the Massachusetts Bay Company . The governor would be elected by freemen , who were shareholders of the company. These shareholders were mostly colonists themselves who fit certain religious requirements. The governor acted in a vice-regal manner, overseeing the governance and functioning of the colony. Originally they were supposed to reside in London , as

8280-464: Was restored. John Hancock was elected as the first governor of the independent commonwealth on October 25, 1780. Part the Second, Chapter II, Section I, Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution reads, There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and whose title shall be – His Excellency. The governor of Massachusetts

8372-413: Was the case with other colonial company governors, although this protocol was broken when John Winthrop was appointed governor. The governor served as the executive of the colony, originally elected annually, they were joined by a Council of Assistants. This council was a group of magistrates who performed judicial functions, acted as an upper house of the General Court, and provided advice and consent to

8464-503: Was the first Native American to be elected to the body. Florence Slocomb was one of the first three women in the Commonwealth to be elected to the state Legislature and the first woman from Worcester to win a state legislative seat, representing that district from 1926 to 1928. Althea Garrison was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1992 and is known as the first transgender person to serve in

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