The commission shall be the custodian of the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House, including the nonexpendable property of both places, and it shall be the duty of the commission to:

(a) Approve all alterations, additions or renovations to the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House, together with the landscaped grounds surrounding them.

(b) Acquire by purchase, loan or gift furnishings and nonexpendable property for the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House.

(c) Promote the beautification of the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House and the landscaped lands surrounding them.

(d) Promote interest in the furnishing of the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House with articles of historical significance.

(e) Advise state officials and others on matters pertaining to the embellishment of the Governor’s Mansion and the Lace House.

(f) Make an inventory to be submitted to the Department of Administration as soon as practicable after being organized and each year thereafter of all nonexpendable property under its custody.

(g) Accept and disburse funds which must be utilized to purchase articles of historical, artistic, decorative, or intrinsic permanent value for use in the Governor’s Mansion and other buildings owned by the State of South Carolina in the two blocks surrounded by Lincoln, Laurel, Gadsden, and Calhoun Streets in the City of Columbia. Because of the nature of the articles purchased, they are exempt from the bidding and purchasing procedures of the Division of General Services applicable to other state agencies if they are in the categories of articles described in this item. All receipts and disbursements must be made with the approval of the commission. The funds and purchases made with them and gifts made pursuant to this section are the property of the State of South Carolina.

(h) Do such other things as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter.