Madison Originals Magazine Madison Originals Magazine May 2014 | Page 12

Photograph provided by Madison Trust for Historic Preservation

sheltered some of the city’s most distinguished citizens
political and social movements, the
house at 130 East Gilman was suddenly
left without any residents at all.
Finally, in 1950, the Board of Regents
bought the house with funds from
the Kemper K. Knapp bequest. The
Knapp House became home to a Kohler
Foundation fellowship program, where
graduate students aimed to “live in the
house during the final years of their PhD
programs, with the idea that a communal
experience for scholars will provide them

with interdisciplinary opportunities that
they otherwise wouldn’t have,” says
Daniel. “For 62 years they live in this
house, and they have monthly seminars
where they bring in speakers and
they share a communal meal in the
front parlor. In 2012 the graduate
school, which has responsibility for
overseeing this program, decides they
no longer can manage this program
or this house, so they vacate it.” With
more than half a century of student
housing behind it, the Old Governor’s

Mansion once again stands bereft of
occupants.

A Continuing Exploration
Tending a building that’s nearly 160 years
old has its challenges, but fortunately,
the Old Executive Residence is a
sturdy structure. As Daniel attests, “the
exterior’s in good shape.” Although “no
photograph or detailed description of the
exterior exists prior to 1900,” the house
is thought to have retained the majority
of its original characteristics, including
a “low, hipped roof,” and “tall, narrow
windows” that make it look “smaller and
lower than in actuality.” Constructed of
native Westport sandstone, the walls
measure no less than 18 inches thick.”
“It’s considered Victorian in style with
Italianate components,” says Daniel. “It’s
kind of a mishmash. At one point it had
a large wraparound porch that was built
in 1898, so that gave it a much more
Victorian look. If you look closely at the
exterior of the building, you can still
see where the exterior porch roof was
attached to the side of the building—

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