BY OLYMPIA MEOLA

Gov. Bob McDonnell and first lady Maureen McDonnell hosted a “family reunion” for former residents of the Executive Mansion and their descendants on Thursday evening, drawing nearly 300 people in advance of the mansion’s bicentennial in 2013.

Former Govs. George Allen, Gerald L. Baliles, Linwood Holton, Jim Gilmore, and L. Douglas Wilder turned out, as did 14 descendants of Patrick Henry and six descendants of the mansion’s first occupant, James Barbour, according to the governor’s office.  

Some of the 270 attendees, representing 39 governors, were to bring items symbolizing an administration — from portraits to letters to detailed family trees. The items will be displayed at the mansion. 

A few pictures taken by governor’s office staff can be seen here.