Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, center, and three of his predecessors celebrate the 70th anniversary of the state's Governor's Mansion Monday, February 3, 2020, at the residence in Little Rock, Arkansas. Joining Hutchinson are from left, former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, former first lady Gay White-Sigler, first lady Susan Hutchinson, former first lady Ginger Beebe, former Gov. Mike Beebe, former Gov. Mike Huckabee and former first lady Janet Huckabee. (AP Photo Andrew DeMillo)

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and three of his predecessors celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Governor's Mansion on Monday, swapping stories about the residence.

The four joined first lady Susan Hutchinson and family members of other past governors to unveil a Christmas ornament that will be sold to raise money for the mansion.

“There are many memories that are created here, from the first day here in the mansion to the times you have an open house to the different events and the look of the child who comes in here for the first time and sees what the people's house looks like,” Asa Hutchinson said at a news conference before a luncheon marking the anniversary.

Hutchinson was joined by former Govs. Mike Beebe, Mike Huckabee and Jim Guy Tucker, as well as former first ladies Ginger Beebe, Janet Huckabee and Gay White-Sigler, the widow of former Gov. Frank White.

Tucker talked about how his dog was taken by someone in the neighborhood who called and demanded a ransom in return for the dog's return.

“So the State Police went and accepted their offer to take the dog back,” Tucker said. “They also took them on a little trip.”

The mansion, located near Little Rock's downtown, first opened in 1950 and was home to then-Gov. Sid McMath. The mansion was built upon the grounds of the former Blind School property and used 300,000 bricks from the school's buildings. Before its opening, Arkansas never had an official residence for its governor.

“It was great because I had the largest house in my sixth grade class,” said Sandy McMath, the late Gov. Sid McMath's son.

Hutchinson said there were 181 events at the mansion last year with more than 15,000 visitors.

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.