The Office: A Brief History
_________________________________________The offices of Ellison Wilson Advocacy, LLC were built in 1872 from a design by Nathaniel Goodell. Goodell, who also designed the Governor’s Mansion and the Capitol, used a similar design for what was eventually to become the location of Ellison Wilson Advocacy—the building is a replica of a quarter portion of a wing in the Governor’s mansion.
Originally, the stately Victorian was located on T Street. It was not until the 1970s that it was moved to its current location at 1725 Capitol Avenue, just a couple blocks from the State Capitol. The interior decorator who oversaw the historical reconstruction of the building researched 1870s architecture and used photographs of Nathaniel Goodell’s other projects to accurately re-depict the splendor of a Victorian building in its prime. The wallpaper used in the reconstruction was hand painted by a company in Venicia, California and cost an estimated $20,000 to produce and install. The plush red velvet curtains likewise contribute to the overall Victorian mystique of the building.
When Senator Wilson purchased the building he continued to uphold the Victorian ideal by filling the office with authentic antique statuary and furniture. Add to this his penchant for artwork by local artists, including an extensive collection of paintings by former Legislative Analyst A. Alan Post (as well as some of Bob’s own paintings), and the affect is a combination of the stately and the subtly bohemian.
For the convenience of our clients visiting Sacramento, we also maintain a fully-functional guest office for use while in town.