Old Parliament Building (Quebec)

Old Parliament Building (Quebec) was the site of the seat of governemt of Lower Canada, Canada West, Provinces of Canada and Quebec.

Located in what is Parc Montmorency today, the site of two Parliament buildings from 1791 to 1883.

[edit] History

The first building on the site was the Chapel of Bishop's Palace, was ordered built by Bishop Saint-Vallier from 1693 to 1695. In 1777 the building was rented to the British government to house the Legislative Council under orders from then Governor General Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester. From 1791 to 1838 it was home to the House of Assembly and Legislative Council of Lower Canada.

Several Parliament Buildings were built at this site:

1777 British government rents the Chapel of Bishop's Palace within the Episcopal Palace of Quebec for the Legislative Council
1831 addition added to the Episcopal Palace and demolition of Chapel of Bishop's Palace
1840 Quebec no longer capital and buildings becomes vacant with the establishment of the United Provinces of Canada
1850 Parliament returns to the Episcopal Palace
1852-1853 Episcopal Palace is demolished to make way for new Parliament buildings
1854 new Parliament Buildings destroyed by fire
1854-1859 Parliament relocates to two locations:
- Quebec Music Hall - a Greek Revival structure built by Charles Baillairge from 1851-1853
- Quebec City Courthouse - a 3 storey wood building
1859-1860 new Parliament completed and served sessions from 1860 to 1865
1866 capital of the Province moves to Ottawa, Ontario and buildings becomes vacant
1867-1883 the province of Quebec is created and the Parliament is designated this as home until 1883
1883 Parliament destoyed after fire and Parliament was relocated to another site thereafter
post 1883 - Parliament moved to the current Parliament Building (Quebec)), building is demolished and now known as Parc Montmorency