Situated on a prominent western bluff overlooking the State Capitol and Frankfort, the George Franklin Berry Estate was originally called Juniper Hill because of the many red cedar trees on the property.  Berry was a prosperous distiller executive with the Frankfort firm of W.A. Gaines and Company, whose wealth is evident in this fine mansion. Constructed in 1900, the original stone mansion was designed by the prominent Louisville architectural firm of McDonald and Dodd.  The structure's design is a notable example of mansions erected between 1865 and 1917 in the Colonial Revival style. Stones used to build the structure at Juniper Hill came from the property and the mansion rests on a full stone cellar blasted from solid rock.  The site's most outstanding feature is an elaborate music room built in the Gothic Revival style and designed by notable architect William J. Dodd.

One of the oldest Executive residences in the United States, Kentucky’s Old Governor’s Mansion has a rich and diverse history, and stands as a reminder of the growth and history of our state.  From its construction as Kentucky’s first Governor’s residence and office of the Governor, through its nearly fifty years as the official residence of our Lieutenant Governors, this building has seen more historic events and has borne witness to more important persons than almost any home in the Commonwealth. Built in 1797-8 in the Federal style, the home was first occupied by our second governor, James Garrard and his family.   From 1798 until 1914, thirty-five governors and their families lived and entertained here, with James McCreary as the last governor to reside at the mansion.  The mansion served as the office of the Governor until the 1872 Annex building was constructed next to the Old State Capitol in downtown Frankfort.  For several years even after the Governor’s office relocated to the Old Capitol Annex, the Mansion remained a work space for the governor. Several important visitors to the Governor’s Mansion include Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, William Jennings Bryan, and Theodore Roosevelt.