Governor Andrew Cuomo spent Sunday celebrating Easter with hundreds of New Yorkers at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany. It’s part of a new tradition Cuomo aims to make it an annual one, replacing the long-running New Year’s Open House.
Cuomo said New Year’s Day in the capitol has become known for the death of his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo.
“We celebrate the anniversary or remember the anniversary of his death on New Year’s day, and that was incongruous with having an open house, so we’re starting a new tradition,” said Cuomo. “I think, works better in the long run. Its nicer weather during Easter – we hope – than on New Year’s Day.”
Cuomo said the spring holiday also gives visitors the opportunity to see more of the mansion’s grounds, which he called a magnificent piece of New York history.
“Teddy Roosevelt lived here, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Al Smith – many great, historic figures. It’s a beautiful house itself, the grounds are beautiful,” said Cuomo. “We have the Franklin Delano Roosevelt pool in the back, which is a pool that was built specifically for FDR, where he could go in with his wheelchair and he could actually exercise. So it’s a great piece of New York history that everyone should see.”
The New Year’s day open house only made a few rooms in the mansion accessible to the public.
On Sunday, an egg-hunt, tours of the mansion grounds, a petting zoo, and a meet-and-greet with the Governor were all part of the Easter Celebration. Cuomo, his girlfriend Sandra Lee, and two of his daughters were joined by close to 500 people who applied for tickets online. Cuomo said he hopes to see more visitors next year.
