As a historian, I am now something of an anomaly.Today, most people enjoy social history. They want to know what the average person was doing at any given point. What were their lives like? What were they thinking? What caused them to act that way? It serves a distinct and important purpose.As for me, I want to know about the great men in history.I want to know what they did to win the favor of the people. I want to know what their daily routines were. Most importantly, I want to see how they lived.Though the new governor’s mansion is impressive, I still prefer the old one.The old mansion is the second to occupy that site. The first was built for Baton Rouge businessman Nathan King Knox and was the official residence of Louisiana’s governors from 1887 until 1829. Unfortunately, the Knox residence was not stately enough for Louisiana’s Kingfish. When Long was informed no new mansion would be built as long as there was a suitable house, Long had the Knox mansion demolished and the new mansion built.Long’s new mansion cost almost $150,000 to build and an additional $22,000 to furnish.If Long were in fact preparing for a presidential bid, he definitely chose the right house to model the mansion after — It resembles the White House.The East Room of the old mansion bears the most notable resemblance. It was used for entertaining dignitaries and was the site of Earl Long’s swearing in when he replaced Richard Leche as governor.The state dining room has hand blocked wall paper entitled “Vues d’Amerique du Nord”, or “Scenic America.” Jean Zuber et Cie Wallpaper Company of Alsace-Lorainne commissioned and designed the print in 1834. Jacqueline Kennedy had it installed in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in the 1960s.Should you want to tour the old mansion, the second floor is where it gets interesting.Each of the bedrooms has a theme based on the different governors who occupied the residence.The master bedroom is themed after Huey Long. Lying upon the bed is the infamous pair of green pajamas from the Emden Affair when a German Cruiser’s commanding officer and consul decided to pay a visit to the governor. When he answered the door, Long was wearing his favorite green pajamas.The officer and consul were so offended that Long had to issue an official apology to the German people.Perhaps Long’s most lasting contribution to the mansion is the “secret staircase.”On the ground floor, immediately to the right of the entrance, is the library. Before the conversion during the Leche administration, it was part of Long’s office. On the south wall, there is a door built into the solid wood paneling that hides a staircase. When     visitors who Long did not want to see would come, he would have his secretary go out and tell them the governor was not in his office.While they were being distracted, Long would slip upstairs to the residence. The stairs led straight to his bedroom.Another room is named for Gov. Jimmie Davis.There are various different pieces of memorabilia from Davis’ two terms as governor. His guitar and the infamous sheet music from his classic “You Are My Sunshine” are in his room. The old mansion also has the guitar he played as he campaigned through the state in 1944.Born near Beech Springs, La., Davis was a real cowboy. You can see his humble origins in his bedroom because the Davis family donated a pair of his boots, and sitting in part of the room is the saddle is Davis used to sit in and ride his horse up the steps of the state capital building.During his second term, Davis had the new mansion built at its present site close to the state capital.Before becoming a tourist attraction, it was the Louisiana Arts and Science Center. Interestingly, when the center shut its doors, certain things turned up missing and are still absent to this day. Most strikingly, the former residents of the mansion took the toilets from the house.During my time in Baton Rouge, I have been lucky. I have had the opportunity to see both the old and new governor’s mansions. I have had the famous chocolate chip cookies with Gov. Blanco and again with Gov. Jindal’s director of communications. The new mansion may be more dignified, but the old mansion has the character.As you walk the halls you can still feel the former residents and see tidbits of their legacies. It doesn’t matter if it is pajamas, boots, saddles or hand-drawn sketches from Walt Disney, the past is alive in the old house.I hope you all take the time to go and see it.—-Contact Matt McEntire at [email protected]