Government House (Saskatchewan) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Government House
Government House main entrance
General information
Architectural style	Modified Italianate
Location	4607 Dewdney Avenue Regina, Saskatchewan S4T 1B7
Construction started	1889
Cost	$50,000
Client	The Queen of the United Kingdom (Victoria)
Owner	The King in Right of Saskatchewan (Charles III)
Design and construction
Architect	Thomas Fuller
National Historic Site of Canada
Official name: Government House National Historic Site of Canada
Designated:	1968

Government House in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, is a very important building. It is the official office for the lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan. A lieutenant governor is the King's representative in a Canadian province.

This building was first built as a home for the lieutenant governor of the North-West Territories. Regina was the main city for the North-West Territories back then. In 1905, Saskatchewan and Alberta became provinces. Regina became the capital of Saskatchewan. Government House then became the official home for Saskatchewan's lieutenant governor. It was empty from 1944 but started being used again for official events in 1984.

History of Government House

Building the First Government House

First Regina Government House shortly after construction in 1883

The first Government House was a wooden building from 1883. It was located where Luther College High School is today. This building was cold and drafty. It was taken down in 1908.

The old Government House c.1887. The pile of buffalo bones on the left reminds us of Regina's original name, Wascana, which means Pile of Bones in Cree.

The first building was put together after the Lieutenant-Governor, Edgar Dewdney, decided to move the capital from Battleford. Many people thought the new capital would be Qu'Appelle. But Dewdney bought land at a place called Buffalo Bones. He made a lot of money selling this land to new settlers. Even though there were no trees or much water, he made it the new capital. The street where Government House is located is named after him.

The materials for the first house came from eastern Canada. They were shipped to the new site. It started as two small portable houses. Later, more parts were added. By 1883, it had four bedrooms, two dressing rooms, and several other rooms. It also had a front porch and a greenhouse.

Designing the New Government House

The current Government House is a strong building made of brick and stone. It was designed by Thomas Fuller. He was the Dominion architect. He also designed the government buildings nearby. Fuller had designed the parliament buildings in Ottawa in 1866.

The new Government House was built in the Italianate style. This style often includes a square dome on the roof. The windows have a Roman arch shape. Building started in the spring of 1889. A local builder named William Henderson led the project.

The ground floor had many rooms. These included a lobby, two drawing rooms, a dining room, and a library. There was also a kitchen and rooms for staff. When it was finished in 1891, Government House was very modern. It had running water. Water was pumped from a well in the basement to a tank in the attic. Then, gravity helped the water flow through the house. It also had indoor flush toilets.

The main part of the house was 64 feet by 55 feet. The staff areas and bedrooms were 55 feet by 42 feet. The basement had space for a furnace and storage.

The building cost $50,000 to build. It was the first home in the North-West Territories to have electricity. The Hon. Joseph Royal was the first Lieutenant-Governor to live and work there. A greenhouse was added in 1901. A large ballroom was built in 1929.

Government House in Use (1891-1944)

Government House North-West Territories in 1892, before the eastern ballroom was built and gardens and trees were planted.

From 1891 until 1905, Government House was the home and office for the Lieutenant-Governors of the North-West Territories. The government buildings were also on Dewdney Avenue. Lieutenant-Governors Charles Herbert Mackintosh, Malcolm Colin Cameron, and Amédée E. Forget lived there.

In 1901, the Duke and Duchess of York visited. They later became King George V and Queen Mary. They stayed at Government House in Regina. They met many local people there.

Government House during the Royal Visit by the future King George V and Queen Mary in 1901.

After Saskatchewan became a province in 1905, new government buildings were built south of Wascana Lake. The old government buildings on Dewdney Avenue were no longer used. This saved money, which was important during World War II and the Great Depression in Canada.

Authentic household staff at Government House, 1898.

After September 1, 1905, six Lieutenant-Governors of Saskatchewan lived and worked in Government House. Many important guests visited the province and stayed there. These included Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1906. He visited again in 1912 and 1916 with the Duchess and Princess Patricia. The Duke, who was Queen Victoria's son, opened the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1912.

The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, visited Saskatchewan in 1919 and 1927. By his second visit, the Hotel Saskatchewan had opened. In 1944, Premier Tommy Douglas decided to close the provincial home for the lieutenant governor.

Changes to Government House (1944)

Louis Riel testifies at his trial, a scene often performed in Government House's ballroom.

During the Great Depression and World War II, it was hard for provinces to afford large homes for their lieutenant governors. In March 1944, the Saskatchewan government closed Government House. They sold everything inside. Lieutenant Governor "Archie" McNab was the last to live there. He moved his office to the Hotel Saskatchewan downtown. After this, royal visitors also stayed in fancy hotels.

The furniture and other items were sold in an auction. Government House was then rented to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. It was used as a place to help veterans recover. In 1958, the building was renamed Saskatchewan House. It was used as an adult education center for 10 years. Then, there was a plan to tear it down. A large part of the land around it had already been sold.

From 1967, a play called "The Trial of Louis Riel" was performed in the ballroom. The ballroom was set up to look like the old courthouse. People from the audience could even act as jury members.

Many old buildings in Regina were torn down after World War II. But Government House was saved. In 1968, it was named a National Historic Site of Canada. After that, it was fixed up and made new again.

Restoring Government House (1984)

Many people and groups worked hard to save and restore the building. These groups included the Regina Chamber of Commerce and the City of Regina.

In 1971, the Society for the Preservation and Restoration of Saskatchewan House was formed. This group is now called the Government House Historical Society. By 1980, their hard work paid off. Government House got its original name back. Many of its historical items were returned. Some had been bought by staff when the house closed.

In 1984, the lieutenant governor's offices moved back to Government House. Official parties and events started happening there again. However, lieutenant governors do not live in the building anymore. They live in homes provided by the Canadian government. This means the whole building can be used by the public. The Provincial Capital Commission now takes care of Government House. They offer tours of the building and its gardens.

New Visitor Centre (2005)

In 2005, a new visitor and administration center was added. This new part was opened by Queen Elizabeth II and named after her. The older, historic part of the building was named the Victoria wing. The gardens were also restored to how they looked in the Edwardian era. This was part of Saskatchewan's 100th birthday celebration.

Today, Government House is a museum. It shows what life was like around 1900 under Lieutenant-Governor Amédée Forget. It is also a place for government and non-profit groups to hold events.

New Year's Day Levee and Other Events

Government House ballroom during the New Year's Day Levee.

The tradition of the Lieutenant-Governor hosting a New Year's Day levée for the public started again when the offices returned. A levée is a special reception. People can meet the Lieutenant-Governor and enjoy fruitcake and sherry in the ballroom.

Government House is decorated beautifully for the holidays. Guides in old-fashioned costumes give free tours. The Government House Historical Society also hosts Victorian teas in the ballroom. These happen on some weekends in the spring, summer, and fall.

Alleged Haunting

Over the years, some staff and former students have reported strange things happening at Government House. Doors have been said to open and close by themselves. People have heard sounds of babies crying and children laughing late at night when no one is around. Others have claimed to see faces next to theirs when looking in mirrors.

One famous ghost is called "Howie." Many believe he is Cheun Lee, who used to be the cook for Lieutenant-Governor Archibald McNab. People say his footsteps can be heard in the halls. Some even believe he moves objects from one room to another!

Photo gallery

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  Ground floor hallway

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  Dining room

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  Parlour

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  Bedroom

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  Pool room

See also

• Lieutenant-Governors of Saskatchewan
• Monarchy in Saskatchewan
• Government Houses of Canada
• Government Houses of the British Empire
• Saskatchewan Legislative Building
• Royal eponyms in Canada—places in Canada named after royalty, like the Queen Elizabeth II Wing at Government House