SALEM, Ore. -- Gov. Kate Brown and her husband, Dan Little, have traded up for a newer house.
The couple, who were finishing a move Sunday into the governor's official residence in the Fairmount Hill neighborhood of south Salem, left behind their 101-year-old refurbished home in the Woodstock neighborhood of southeast Portland. And, with apparent delight these past few days, unpacked their belongings in an only 91-year-old residence known as Mahonia Hall.
The couple say they share a love of older homes and established neighborhoods and are looking forward to being part of the energetic south Salem area with sweeping vistas of the Willamette River and the West Salem hills.
"It feels so comfortable already," the governor said, referring to the four-story, 11,409-square-foot Tudor-style building that was purchased not at taxpayer expense but through private donations by individuals and businesses in 1987. "We're so happy here. We love older homes and working to restore them. This is heaven for us."
Tap for mobile: Photos of Brown and Little at Mahonia Hall
Brown and her husband, a U.S. Forest Service employee who can work out of his home, wherever that might be, gave the Statesman Journal an exclusive look Sunday afternoon at the first floor and grounds of what some call the governor's mansion.
More: Meet Kate Brown
They showed it off graciously, with a pride that suggested it was their own home instead of one they're just stewards of, and they spoke eloquently of the building and the people and wildlife they have met and seen this week.
A great room in the official residence, which is protected by the Oregon State Police, features a state-of-Oregon-shaped stained glass, while another one filters light over the seal of the state. Sunlight forms large puddles in the room as it streams through windows occupying large expanses of wall throughout the home.
A baby grand piano is positioned in front of French doors, and soft furnishings give the residence a homey feeling. It is neither stuffy nor ornate. It is stately, but not sterile.
Brown, who said she has long rented space and spent one or two nights per week in Salem while serving as secretary of state, said there was no way she would make the commute from Portland to Salem now that she is governor. She mentioned that when she had to return to Portland this week and couldn't get back to Mahonia Hall, she found herself already pining for its peaceful embrace.
"It's such a quiet place, a way to get away from it all," Brown said.
Little added, "It's so beautiful, really spectacular."
The pair, who are keeping the house in Portland, are looking for ways to maintain their relationships with neighbors there while forging new relationships with the ones they are meeting along John and Lincoln and Luther and Fairmount streets.
"We'll have to negotiate with our old neighbors. It's a little like having in-laws," Little said. "We'll have to work something out, like one year here, one year there, an every-other-year deal. We're known for hosting the ice cream at the neighborhood block party and having Halloween and Christmas events at our house."
Brown added, "I expect we'll have to hire a van and bring those neighbors down here and introduce them to our new neighbors to keep traditions alive."
Angela Zagarella, who lives close to Brown in Portland, said the governor and her husband were "great neighbors."
"They were very friendly, helpful and open," Zagarella said. "They will be missed."
Adding their own touches
The governor, who succeeded John Kitzhaber after his resignation in February amid controversy, said she and Little are still acquainting themselves with the donated collection of art scattered around the residence and inventorying the furniture they'll need.
The living room, for instance, does not have a sofa, so they'll shop for one themselves. Last week, they bought a futon for an upstairs guest room. The governor said they are given an allowance by the Department of Administrative Services, which manages operation of the governor's residence, but they don't expect to use much of it.
"We will consult with a professional restorer and probably paint some rooms," Brown said, pointing out a fresh minty colored nook off the kitchen, a room she expects will get a lot of use.
"But look at this leaf impression in the texturing of the walls," Brown said, reverently touching the patterned wall. "We want to do what's best, and that means we'll have a bake sale if we have to. We feel strongly about giving back, and this is a way to do it."
Brown and Little said they had planned to buy some new furniture for their Portland home, so they'll buy it and use it at Mahonia instead until they return to the Woodstock neighborhood. Adding their belongings will help keep the home from feeling like an extended-stay hotel.
They both like to garden, so as they adjust to their new home, they're exploring ways to plant blueberries in its backyard and perhaps add some raised beds.
The governor said she favors vegetable-bed gardening. Little enjoys flowers. When the dust settles a bit, they hope to have time to do both.
Already part of the community
"My days are pretty full," Brown said in laughing understatement. "Hopefully now that it will be daylight longer, we'll get to be out and about more. He bikes, I walk, but I think we'll both walk at Bush's Pasture Park as well as continue our yoga at Indigo Wellness Center and me working out at the Kroc Center."
Brown is allergic to cats, so there are no first felines on the prowl at Mahonia. Little said some dog dander bothers him, but he is planning to retire in June, and they muse that they're exploring the possibility of getting a dog with less fur and dander, perhaps a poodle.
It would put them in good stead with their new neighbors, many of whom walk their dogs regularly in the area. The couple belly-laughed, though, when talking about the governor bringing her horse, Tazo, to town.
"He won't be grazing at Mahonia Hall," Little said with a grin. "Although, I've told her there is a nice long yard out back."
They are keeping the honey bees, too. Several hives are located on the back lawn, and the governor said she wouldn't dream of getting rid of the Political Pollen, as the honey is called.
Kitzhaber didn't use Mahonia during his third and fourth terms except for an occasional overnight. He maintained his Portland residence, and neighbors in south Salem are thrilled the house will be a home again.
The feeling is mutual for Brown and Little.
The governor said they expect to open Mahonia's doors to visiting neighbors and dignitaries alike. They don't have an official social calendar arranged yet, she said, but March is Women's History Month, so the governor — only the second female governor in Oregon's history — said she will invite female lawmakers, lobbyists and agency heads to Mahonia Hall for a reception. It will be the first big party in their new digs.
Brown has already invited former Govs. Barbara Roberts and Ted Kulongoski and their respective significant others to a dinner party in April. Brown and Little are eager to hear about their days living in Mahonia.
"For instance, the kitchen is beautifully functional, and in great shape. We love it. But I want to know who the kitchen was built for. I can only reach the first shelf," said the governor with a self-deprecating laugh at her less than 6-foot height.
The pair agreed that they haven't entertained a thought about ending the practice of weekly tours of the home.
"It's the people's house, and we feel the need to bring people, more people, here," Brown said.
ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com; (503) 399-6746 or follow on Twitter at @CATMCurrie
