• Situated on nine acres at 800 Richland St. in downtown Columbia, it is the center of a complex of gardens and the Lace House and the Caldwell Boylston House.

• Public rooms are a repository of treasures -- silver and china, furniture, paintings and documents -- that remain permanently in the mansion.

• Visiting dignitaries are officially entertained at the mansion.

• The Governor's Mansion Commission is the custodian of the contents of the public rooms of the mansion and the other houses; it approves alterations, additions and renovations.

• The Governor's Mansion Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, seeks donations of furnishings and administers money used to acquire artifacts.

Here's a by-the-numbers look at the Governor's Mansion:

1855 -- Year built as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy; spared during the burning of Columbia in the Civil War

1865 -- Year it was selected as the official residence for the state's governors

11,300 -- Square footage before 2001 renovation/expansion

16,400 -- Square footage after 2001 renovation/expansion

25,000 -- Number of visitors since the mansion reopened for tours in June 2001

9 -- Number of public tours conducted each week at 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; the gardens and grounds are open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

(803) 737-1710 -- Number to call to reserve a spot in a tour