Government House (Nova Scotia)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Halifax, Nova Scotia)
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.
[edit] 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, Lieutenant Governors of Nova Scotia.
[edit] See also
- Government Houses of Canada
- Government Houses of the British Empire
- Lieutenant-Governors of Nova Scotia
[edit] External links
- Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia: Government House
- Maps and aerial photos
- WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
- Street map from Mapquest or Google Maps
- Satellite image from Google Maps
- Topographical map from Maptech
