| Government House Résidence du governeur (French) | |
|---|---|
 The building in 2025 | |
 Interactive map of the Government House Résidence du governeur (French) area | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | AdamesqueGeorgian |
| Location | 51 Woodstock Road Fredericton,New Brunswick,Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°57′56″N66°39′21″W / 45.965589°N 66.655834°W /45.965589; -66.655834 |
| 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 andload-bearingmasonry |
| Official name | Old Government House National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1958 |
| Type | Provincial Heritage Place |
| Designated | 1996 |
Government House is the official residence of theLieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Located inFredericton, it stands on a 4.5 ha (11 acre) estate along theSaint John River in the provincial capital at 51 Woodstock Road;[1][2] while the equivalent building in many countries has a prominent, central place in the territorial capital, the site ofNew Brunswick's Government House is relatively unobtrusive within Fredericton, giving it more the character of a private home.
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Intended to replace the residence of thecolonial Lieutenant Governors of New Brunswick that burned down in 1825,[3] Government House was erected between 1826 and 1828 on the site of the formerAcadian settlement of Sainte-Anne, and served as meeting place for the viceroy and his Executive Council,[4] balls, and state dinners.[3]
In 1890, however, Lieutenant GovernorSamuel Leonard Tilley felt the maintenance budget for the house was insufficient and consequently relocated,[3] after which the former viceregal residence took on other roles. From 1896 to 1900, it served as New Brunswick's Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, was a military barracks throughWorld War I, a soldiers' hospital following the war, and, from 1934 to 1988, was the J Division regional headquarters of theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police.[4]
In 1958, it was designated as aNational Historic Site of Canada,[5] and in 1996 it was designated provincially under theHistoric Sites Protection Act.[6]
Only on 1 July 1999, after two years of extensive renovation and restoration of the structure and its interiors, was the mansion returned to viceregal service in a ceremony including representatives of theMaliseetFirst Nation, the ancestors of which performed dances onNew Year's Day 164 years earlier, both times to demonstrate the importance of therelationship between them and the Crown.[7][8]
Government House is where visiting dignitaries are greeted and often stay while in Fredericton. It is also where numerous vice-regal events take place, such as the bestowing of provincial awards or inductions into theOrder of New Brunswick, as well as luncheons, dinners, receptions, and speaking engagements. It is also at the vice-regal residence that the lieutenant governordrops the writs of election, swears-in new members of theExecutive Council, and holds audiences with thepremier.
The property is owned by theKing in Right of New Brunswick[citation needed] and, as mandated before its renovation in 1996, is open to the public.[7] In that vein, the grounds of thevice-regal estate are frequently the site of public celebrations, such as those forCanada Day andNew Brunswick Day.[9]
The vice-regal residence of New Brunswick was built ofload-bearingmasonry walls andtimber floor and roof framing, all clad in asandstone exterior. The building, designed by architectJames Woolford, is in theGeorgian style with touches ofAdam, being ahip roofed, rectangular, two storey block divided by two perpendicular axes. The main facade is aligned on the entrance and its curvedportico, above which is an arched niche and, at the roof, a shallow gable pierced by arose window; to either side of this are rows of multi-paned,sash windows, the attic havingwall dormers, and one storey wings, each with a curvedbay window.[3] On the main floor is found the drawing room, dining room, music room, library, two conservatories, and the historical lieutenant governor's office; the second floor contains exhibit rooms and the lieutenant governor's present office; and the third floor holds the viceroy's private apartments.[7]
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