Mansion merrymakers: Silver Dollar City decks the halls at governor’s mansion

SUBMITTED BY BRANDEI CLIFTON

Before the trees are trimmed at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion each holiday season, true magic arrives first with three spirited women from Silver Dollar City who bring sparkle from the Heart of the Ozarks to those historic halls in Jefferson City.

For years now, visuals team artisans Kelly Eutsler, Carrie Duvall and Karen McCaulley have been invited by two governors and two first ladies to transform the historic residence for Christmas. What began as a simple call for help has grown into a beloved tradition shared between Jefferson City and America’s No. 1 Theme Park.

Each fall, the team meets with mansion staff to dream up that year’s theme—sometimes elegant, sometimes nostalgic, always meaningful. Together, they imagine the kind of Christmas that invites every visitor to stop in the doorway and whisper, “Wow.”

The team was delighted to learn that Gov. Mike Kehoe and his wife, Claudia, wanted to continue the tradition of having the “City girls” decorate the mansion. So, once again, the ladies packed up like they’re heading to visit family and stepped into a place that feels both grand and warmly familiar.

“They truly do treat us like family,” Kelly says with a smile. “We joke that we move in for the week. The mansion staff always welcomes us so sweetly and checks on us like we’re cousins who’ve come home.”

That feeling of home shows up in the little moments. One evening, after finishing dinner, the trio carried their dishes into the mansion's kitchen and began washing them as they would anywhere else.

“The next day, the mansion staff told us they will always handle the dishes,” Carrie smiles. “But they did tell us to make ourselves at home!”

Another little moment to remember happened during Karen’s birthday, which fell on one of the final decorating days this year.

“The staff walked in with a cake, and it really caught me by surprise,” Karen says. “They didn’t have to do that! But, it’s just another example of how they make us feel special while we’re with them.”

The team’s decorating days are long but oh-so joyful! It takes a lot of careful coordinating each year to try and reuse what they can from previous years but also pull off the season’s new vision. There are lots of details…and lots of bows!

“So much ribbon,” Kelly laughs. “So many bins to sort through. To see it all come together by the end of the week still makes us smile. From garland down the grand staircase to wreaths in the windows, seeing the final touches shine makes us all really proud.”