Government House (Alberta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government House |
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Main façade of Government House
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| General information | |
| Type | House / Conference Centre |
| Architectural style | Edwardian Tudor revival / Jacobethan |
| Address | 12845 102 Avenue |
| Town or city | Edmonton, Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 53°32′30″N 113°32′39″W / 53.541579°N 113.544039°W |
| Current tenants | Government of Alberta |
| Construction started | 1912 |
| Inaugurated | 1913 |
| Cost | $345,882 |
| Client | The King in Right of Alberta (Edward VII) |
| Owner | The Queen in Right of Alberta (Elizabeth II) |
| Height | |
| Top floor | 3rd |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Steel framing and load-bearing masonry |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | R. P. Blakey |
| Official name: Government House, Edmonton, Alberta | |
| Designated: | June 26, 2012 |
| Official name: Government House | |
| Designated: | June 7, 1985 |
Government House is a very important historical building in Edmonton, Alberta. It used to be the official home for the lieutenant governors of Alberta. These are special representatives of the King or Queen in the province.
Today, this beautiful building is no longer a home. Instead, the Alberta provincial government uses it for many important events. These include special ceremonies, big meetings, and conferences. It's a place where important decisions are made.
Government House is located in Edmonton's Glenora neighbourhood. It sits on a high cliff overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. Below the house, the City of Edmonton takes care of Government House Park. This park is part of the large North Saskatchewan River valley parks system. The building is about a four-kilometre walk from the Alberta Legislature Building.
For many years, the Royal Alberta Museum was also on the same property. It was in a separate building next to Government House from 1967 until 2018.
Early Years as a Home (1913–1938)
The land for Government House was bought by the Province of Alberta in 1910. The plan was always for it to be the home of the lieutenant governor. Building work started in 1912. The official opening happened on October 7, 1913.
The building has three floors and is made of sandstone. It was designed in a style called Jacobean Revival. This style looks a bit like old English castles.
Government House was the official home for the lieutenant governor until 1938. The Alberta Government said they closed it because of money problems. They also mentioned that the Government House in Ontario had closed the year before. However, the closure also happened after Lieutenant Governor John C. Bowen disagreed with some new laws passed by the Legislative Assembly. Some people thought closing the house and taking away his staff and car was a way for Premier William Aberhart to get back at him. After it closed, the building and its furniture were sold.
New Uses During Wartime (1938–1964)
After 1938, Government House had many different uses. First, it became a place for American pilots to stay. These pilots were flying supplies up to the Alaska Highway during the Second World War.
Later, the federal government took over the building. They used it as a military hospital during the war. After the war ended, it became a convalescent home for veterans. This was a place where soldiers could recover after being sick or injured. In 1964, the house and its land were given back to the provincial government.
Government House Today (1964 Onwards)
When the building was returned to the province, the Government of Alberta decided to fix it up. They restored it carefully and reopened it as a conference centre for government use. The land around it was also chosen for a new museum. This museum was built as a special project for the Canadian Centennial in 1967. This celebrated Canada's 100th birthday as a country.
The museum was later renamed the Royal Alberta Museum in 2005. This was to honour Queen Elizabeth II. She visited Alberta that year to celebrate the province's own 100th anniversary.
Government House has hosted many important events since its restoration. Famous visitors include Pope John-Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, and other members of the Canadian Royal Family. Important visitors from other countries are greeted at a special entrance called a porte-cochere. These guests usually stay at a hotel, like the Hotel Macdonald, when they visit Edmonton.
Government House has many rooms for receptions and conferences. It also has support facilities for events. Even though it's not the lieutenant governor's home anymore, it's still where new Cabinet ministers are sworn into office. Also, every Thursday when the legislature is meeting, the governing party's members meet in the Alberta Room. This is a large conference room on the top floor.
When the building is not being used for official events, people can take free tours. On these tours, you can see old furniture and items from when it was a home. You can also learn about how the building was restored and what it is used for today.
