Photo by Sarah Elizabeth Owen/Getty Images

In 2008, an arsonist threw a Molotov cocktail at the front door of the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, and the resulting fire nearly burnt the historic building to the ground. Finishing touches are now being put on the restored mansion, readying it for Governor Perry and his family to move back in later this month.

With luck, the historic items normally on display in the mansion were removed before the fire, and those items have been returned to the mansion. Items important to Texas history such as a writing desk belonging to Stephen F. Austin as well as paintings depicting historic moments like the Battle of the Alamo.

It took four years to return the mansion to its former glory. The restoration cost $25 million and was funded by tax payer dollars and private donations.

Have a look at workers putting the finishing touches on the mansion.