Government House (Battleford) facts for kids

Government House of the Northwest Territories in Battleford (in present-day Saskatchewan), Canada.

The Government House in Battleford, Saskatchewan was once a very important building. It served as the main office for the government of the Northwest Territories from 1878 to 1883. Back then, the area we now call Saskatchewan was part of the Northwest Territories, which was much larger than it is today.

The Story of Government House

Government House was built to be the center of government for a large part of early Canada. It helped manage the growing settlements and communities in what was then the Northwest Territories.

Building a Government Home

The building was first constructed in 1877. It was designed by an architect named Thomas S. Scott. Originally, it was a two-storey wooden building with a style called Carpenter Gothic. This style often features pointed arches and fancy wooden trim, making it look a bit like a church. Later, the building was changed. A special type of roof, called a Mansard roof, was added. This roof gave the building a third floor, making it a larger, three-storey complex.

What Was It Used For Over Time?

Even though it was built for government, the Government House was only used for official business for a short time, from 1878 to 1883. After that, it became home to several different groups and institutions:

• From 1883 to 1914, it was used as a school for Indigenous children.
• From 1914 to 1931, it became the Seventh Day Adventist Academy, another type of school.
• From 1932 to 1972, it served as the Oblates of St. Mary's House of Studies. This was a place where students lived and studied to become priests.

What Happened to Government House?

The Oblates of St. Mary's owned the building until 1984. Sadly, the historic Government House was destroyed by a fire in 2003. Today, only parts of the building's foundation and its chimney remain.

A Special Place in History

Even though the building is gone, its history is still remembered. In 1973, the site was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's recognized as an important place in Canada's past.