Government House (New Brunswick) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government HouseRésidence du governeur (French) |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Adamesque Georgian |
| Town or city | 51 Woodstock Road Fredericton, New Brunswick |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°57′56″N 66°39′21″W / 45.965589°N 66.655834°W |
| Construction started | 1826 |
| Client | Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick |
| Owner | The King in Right of New Brunswick (Charles III) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Timber framing and load-bearing masonry |
| Official name: Old Government House National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1958 |
| Type: | Provincial Heritage Place |
| Designated: | 1996 |
Government House is a very important building in Fredericton, New Brunswick. It is the official home of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. This person is the King's representative in the province. The building also serves as a home for the Canadian monarch when they visit Fredericton.
It sits on a large property of about 4.5 hectares (11 acres). This land is located along the Saint John River. While similar buildings in other places are often in the city center, Government House is a bit hidden. This makes it feel more like a private home.
Contents
History of Government House
Building a New Home for the Governor
The first home for the Lieutenant Governors burned down in 1825. So, a new Government House was built between 1826 and 1828. It was constructed on the site of an old Acadian village called Sainte-Anne.
This new building was used for many important events. The Lieutenant Governor met with his advisors there. It also hosted fancy balls and official dinners.
Changes Over the Years
In 1890, Lieutenant Governor Samuel Leonard Tilley felt the house was too expensive to keep up. He decided to move out. After that, the building was used for different purposes.
From 1896 to 1900, it became New Brunswick's Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. During World War I, it served as a military barracks. After the war, it was a hospital for soldiers. Then, from 1934 to 1988, it was the regional office for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Becoming a Historic Site
In 1958, Government House was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a place of national importance. Later, in 1996, it was also named a Provincial Heritage Place. This happened under the Historic Sites Protection Act.
Return to Its Original Purpose
On July 1, 1999, Government House became the official residence again. This happened after two years of big renovations. The building and its inside were carefully restored.
A special ceremony marked its return to service. Representatives from the Maliseet First Nation were part of it. Their ancestors had performed dances there many years before. This showed the strong connection between Indigenous peoples and the Crown.
What Government House Is Used For Today
Government House is a busy place. It is where important visitors are welcomed when they come to Fredericton. Often, these guests even stay there.
Official Events and Ceremonies
Many official events happen at Government House. For example, provincial awards are given out there. New members are also welcomed into the Order of New Brunswick. The house hosts many luncheons, dinners, and receptions. People also give speeches there.
The Lieutenant Governor performs important duties at the residence. This includes officially starting elections. New members of the Executive Council are sworn in there. The Lieutenant Governor also meets with the premier.
Open to the Public
The property belongs to The King in Right of New Brunswick. It is open to the public, as decided during its renovation in 1996. The beautiful grounds are often used for public celebrations. These include events for Canada Day and New Brunswick Day.
Architecture of Government House
Building Design and Materials
New Brunswick's royal residence was built with strong load-bearing masonry walls. This means the walls themselves support the building's weight. It also has timber floors and roof. The outside of the building is covered in sandstone.
The building was designed by architect James Woolford. It is built in the Georgian style, with some touches of Adam style. It has a hip roof, which slopes on all four sides. The building is rectangular and has two main floors.
Key Features of the Building
The front of the house lines up with the main entrance. This entrance has a curved portico, which is a covered porch with columns. Above this is an arched space. At the roof, there's a shallow gable with a round rose window.
On either side of the entrance, you'll see rows of windows. These are multi-paned sash windows, which slide up and down. The attic has wall dormers, which are windows that stick out from the roof. There are also one-story wings on each side, with curved bay windows.
Inside the Residence
On the main floor, you will find several important rooms. These include the drawing room, dining room, and music room. There is also a library and two conservatories. The historical office of the Lieutenant Governor is also on this floor.
The second floor has exhibit rooms for visitors to explore. The current office of the Lieutenant Governor is also located here. The third floor holds the private living areas for the Lieutenant Governor.
See also
- Government Houses in Canada
- Government Houses of the British Empire
