<p align="center"><strong>Howdy Gov!</s></p>

Young people write letters to the governor before they are even able to vote. Children from Tennessee and across the country often ask for an autograph, the governor’s opinion on different matters, or information about Tennessee for a school project.

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Letter to Governor Robert L. Taylor from Irene Bond of Bolivar, Tenn., 1887.

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In 1887, eight-year-old Irene Bond of Bolivar wrote to “Gov. Bob” Taylor. She said she was glad he was elected but missed a chance to meet him at an event with a family friend named “Unclepa.” She asked about the governor’s young daughters, calling them “gal babies,” and requested that he reply if he had time.

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Letter to Governor John I. Cox from his daughter Mary Cox, 1905.

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In 1905, 14-year-old Mary Cox sent her father Governor John I. Cox a postcard. She said the photo of their hometown of Bristol was “a picture of your first day…after being elected governor.” After asking how everyone was doing, she wanted to know when her mother was coming home.

<p align="center"><strong>Letter to Governor Henry Horton from Martha Jane Vaughn of Eagle Creek, Tenn., 1930.</s></p>
<p align="center"><img src="https://digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov/context/deargovernor/article/1127/type/native/viewcontent" alt="Letter to Governor Horton from Vaughn, 1" height="500" width="auto" hspace="5" vspace="25" align="center"><img src="https://digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov/context/deargovernor/article/1128/type/native/viewcontent" alt="Letter to Governor Horton from Vaughn, 2" height="500" width="auto" hspace="5" vspace="25" align="center"><img src="https://digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov/context/deargovernor/article/1129/type/native/viewcontent" alt="Letter to Governor Horton from Vaughn, 3" height="500" width="auto" hspace="5" vspace="25" align="center">

In her 1930 letter to Governor Henry Horton, seven-year-old Martha Jane Vaughn of Eagle Creek asked if she could sell Governor and Mrs. Horton a “little pet” squirrel. She wanted to use the money to buy books and clothes for school.

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Letter to Governor Prentice Cooper from Arlene Gates of New York, 1940.

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During World War II, 12-year-old Arlene Gates of New York asked Governor Prentice Cooper to send her a pair of baby shoes from Tennessee to add to her collection of over 165 pairs. She planned to exhibit them for “Bundles for Brittian [sic] to help england [sic] and protect dear old U.S.A.”

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Letter to Governor Winfield Dunn from Joey Park of Alamo, Tenn., 1972

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In his 1972 letter, eight-year-old Joey Park of Alamo told Governor Winfield Dunn that he was “the little boy at the Humboldt Strawberry Festival that came out in the street and said, ‘Howdy Gov. Dunn.’” He told the governor to “watch for me in about 25 years. I will need your vote then, so I can be Governor like you.”

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Letter to Governor Lamar Alexander from Stephanie Garcia of California, 1986.

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In 1986, Stephanie Garcia, a second-grade student from California, drew her version of the Tennessee state flag and asked Governor Lamar Alexander a series of questions about country music, soybeans, and fishing.