Government House (Nova Scotia)

Infobox Historic building
name = Government House


caption = Main façade of Government House
map_type =
latitude = 44.643414
longitude = -63.571293
location_town = 1451 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
location_country = Canada
architect =
client = The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
(George III)
engineer =
construction_start_date = 1800
date_demolished =
cost =
structural_system = Timber framing and load-bearing masonry
owner = The Queen in Right of Nova Scotia
(Elizabeth II)
style = Adam Georgian
size =

Government House in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. It is the oldest building used as an official residence in Canada today with construction beginning in 1800. It currently is closed for extensive renovations and is scheduled to reopen in December, 2008.

History

Governor Sir John Wentworth ordered the construction of this Georgian mansion in 1800. The house was built out of Nova Scotian stone and timber with imported marble and mahogany. In its heyday, Government House was at the centre of Nova Scotia's political and social establishment. It served both as the administrative centre for the colony, and the main venue for high society functions. As power was gradually siphoned off from the office of Governor and placed in the House of Assembly, Government House's prominence decreased.

It has continuously served as the official residence of the Governors and, later, Lieutenants Governor of Nova Scotia.

ee also

*Government Houses of Canada
*Government Houses of the British Empire
*Lieutenant-Governors of Nova Scotia

External links

* [http://lt.gov.ns.ca/inner/main2.html Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia: Government House]