Perrys Show Off Restored Governor’s Mansion

Has it really been four years?  It was in 2008 that an arsonist set fire to the historic Texas Governors Mansion across the street from the State  Capitol in Austin, but that's history now.  The Austin American-Statesman reports the mansion is ready to be the Governor's home again.

The fire in June of 2008 gutted the stately old ante-bellum style house built in 1856, but four years and $24 million dollars later it's fully restored, and the Governor and First Lady are ready to move back in.

They unveiled it Wednesday amid heavy security. State troopers with assault rifles stood guard around the house and yard.  Reporters and invited guests had to show a photo ID to get through the gate and see what four years of work has wrought.

Basically, the mansion has been restored to the way it looked before the fire, and the Perrys say they can't wait to move back in later this month. Perry's not up for re-election this year, which means they can live in it for at least another two years.