| Government House | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Palladian Georgian |
| Town or city | 1 Government Drive Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | |
| Construction started | 1834 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Timber framing |
| Design and construction | |
| Client | The King of the United Kingdom (William IV) |
| Owner | The Queen in Right of Prince Edward Island (Elizabeth II) |
| Official name: Government House National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1971 |
Government House of Prince Edward Island, often referred to as Fanningbank, is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, as well as that in Charlottetown of the Canadian monarch.[1] It stands in the provincial capital at 1 Government Drive; while the equivalent building in many countries has a prominent, central place in the capital, the site of Prince Edward Island's Government House is relatively unobtrusive within Charlottetown, giving it more the character of a private home.
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Government House was built in 1834 as a viceregal residence for the lieutenant governor of the then British colony of Prince Edward Island. The land, a parcel of known 100 acres (0.40 km2) known as Fanning Bank or Fanning's Bank, was in 1789 set aside by Lieutenant Governor Edmund Fanning as Crown land, with the specific stipulation that it be used as the site for the governor's residence. Eventually, approximately 10 acres (40,000 m2) was retained for Government House and its grounds.
Government House was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1971.[2]
Government House is where the Canadian Royal Family and visiting foreign dignitaries are greeted and often stay while in Charlottetown. It is also where numerous royal and viceroyal events take place,[3] such as the bestowing of provincial awards or inductions into the Order of Prince Edward Island,[4] as well as luncheons, dinners, receptions, and speaking engagements. It is also at the royal residence that the lieutenant governor will drop the writs of election, swear-in new members of the Executive Council, and hold audience with her premier.
The property is owned by the Queen in Right of Prince Edward Island and is open to the public for certain periods during the summer.
The wood frame building's architectural design is Georgian with echoes of the Palladian tradition. The two axis of the house converge on the main entrance hall, which has doric columns and pilasters and a double switchback stair leading to the second floor. The residence was designed by Yorkshire architect Isaac Smith, who also designed the Island's Colonial Building.
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