The Bismarck Historical Society is honored to host First Lady Betsy Dalrymple as principal guest speaker at the Society’s February 10th social and educational meeting. The primary focus of Mrs. Dalrymple’s address will be the personal side of living in the state’s executive residence as experienced by the eight First Families who have resided in the soon to be replaced current building. It is anticipated that Mrs. Dalrymple may be accompanied by other former residents who may also share some of their experiences, memories and opinions.
First Lady Betsy Dalrymple became intimately aware of the rich history of the Governors’ residence ever since she and Governor Jack Dalrymple moved into the building in December of 2010. But it’s not just the political history or even the State’s history that has impressed Mrs. Dalrymple. She has been intrigued by the histories of the families that have lived there as well. Affairs of state, as interesting and important as they may be, are only one part of the building’s history. The building itself also has a history as do the day- to-day lives of the residents, including the children who grew up there, the guests who visited and stayed there, and the sometimes interesting mixture of official and personal interactions.
Wanting to know more about all these interrelated influences inspired her to research and write a history of the building through the eyes and memories of the people who lived there, who worked there, who designed it, who built it, who maintained it and who can never forget it. Her studies included multiple sources including interviews with previous residents, employees and others who have had personal experience with the building. The results of her studies have been recorded in a fascinating book entitled, Building a House, Making a Home: A History of the North Dakota Governor’s Residence. Mrs. Dalrymple’s presentation will delve into all these intermingled histories and display the very personal and human side of North Dakota officialdom.