Discovery at the governor’s ‘office’

Curators are working on a curious cover-up at the governor’s mansion in Sacramento, specifically in a third-floor office of the 19th century Victorian home. During routine maintenance in an area closed to the public, workers found evidence of something wonderful under layers of wallpaper and paint: part of the original 1877 ceiling with a painted motif of two pool cues and billiard balls, suggesting this was a playroom, not a work room.

State parks officials plan to leave some authentic decorations in place; other parts of the walls and room will feature reproductions. Though Earl Warren, Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan slept here, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t.

The house now functions only as a historic landmark. Info: Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park, (916) 323-3047, www.parks.ca.gov/governorsmansion.