Länsresidentet - the county residence

On the corner of Köpmangatan and Samuel Permans gata stands Östersund's oldest stone building: the County Governor's Residence. Since 1848, this yellow-plastered building has served as home to the county governor, offices for regional administration, and a setting for formal receptions.

When Jämtland became its own county in 1810, something more impressive than timber houses was needed. Architect Johan Adolf Hawerman designed a residence in late empire style — grand, two storeys, with a portico and real elegance. In the small wooden town, it must have looked rather out of place. Wings were added in 1901, and a renovation between 1930 and 1931 gave the building its current palace-like appearance.

One notable resident was Hanna Rydh — a doctor of archaeology and wife of county governor Mortimer Munck af Rosenschöld. She was widely appreciated for her work with the Jamtli museum and local cultural heritage, and even applied for the position of county governor herself. But the time wasn't right — Sweden's first female county governor didn't arrive until 1974, ironically the same year the building was listed as a protected heritage site.

Over the years, the residence has welcomed royalty and heard its share of gossip. It has a royal guest room ready for distinguished visitors.

Today, the ground floor houses the County Administrative Board, while the county governor lives on the floor above. In the garden facing Lake Storsjön, old trees grow alongside sculptures that speak of times gone by.

The residence is more than a building — it is the symbol of when Östersund truly became a county capital.

Östersund County residence was built in 1846–1848 according to drawings by architect Johan Adolf Hawerman and is the city's oldest preserved stone building. The building was built in the late Empire style as a residence and representation room for the county governor after Jämtland became its own county in 1810. Originally, the residence consisted of a main building facing Köpmangatan, but in 1901 two wings were added that were later combined with the main building during a major renovation in 1930–31 designed by Gustaf Holmdahl. In 1974, the residence was declared a listed building. Among the previous residents is Hanna Rydh, who was active in archaeology and cultural heritage and was involved in Jamtli.

The residence is today used as a residence for the county governor and for the county administrative board's office and representation. Behind the building is a park with a garden and sculptures. Next to the residence is the former police station from the 1970s, which clearly contrasts in style and era.