Overview
Government House was built in 1826 to be the residence of New Brunswick's governors and lieutenant governors. The home was constructed of New Brunswick quarried sandstone and is located on eleven acres on the banks of the Wolastoq (Saint John River) in Fredericton. From 1828 until Confederation, most of the important decisions affecting the province were debated in the building.
Government House had a number of uses from Confederation to 1996. It was a school for hearing impaired students from 1896 to 1900, a military barracks during World War I and a hospital for returning soldiers after the war. From 1934 to 1988, the building served as RCMP J Division headquarters.
After extensive renovations in the 1990s, Government House was re-opened to the public in 1999. Restored rooms include the drawing room, the dining room, a library, an awards room, and the original lieutenant governor's office on the main floor. The second floor includes exhibit rooms and the offices of the current Lieutenant Governor and her staff. The Lieutenant Governor's residence on the third floor is closed to the public.
A number of the historic furnishings in Government House are original pieces that date back to the early 1800s, including a dining room table, several chairs and sofas, and three chandeliers. Around 400 items of the Government House collection were auctioned in 1897. About 150 pieces have been re-acquired through purchase, donations or gifts in kind.
Nineteen of New Brunswick's governors and lieutenant governors have lived and worked at Government House. As New Brunswick’s ceremonial home, Government House is a significant cultural landmark and remains an important gathering place for people of all walks of life.
Visitor programs
Government House is open throughout the year for official and public functions. For example, the lieutenant governor hosts a New Year's Day levee open to the public each January 1.
The grounds of Government House are always accessible for walks, picnics, or family gatherings, and are the site of the annual New Brunswick Highland Games Festival.
Tours
Since its official re-opening on July 1, 1999, Government House has become one of New Brunswick's most popular visitor attractions.
Free bilingual guided tours will be offered Monday to Friday, from June 1 to September 30, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Many special events are hosted at Government House throughout the year. Please reach out by phone (506-453-2505) or email ([email protected]) to guarantee your tour. School groups and large groups should always book in advance.
Featuring a sloped entryway and an indoor elevator, Government House is fully accessible. All tours begin at the visitors’ entrance on the east side of the building, where free parking is also available for guests.
Galleries
The Government House Gallery is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rotating exhibits of New Brunswick artwork, crafts, and historical displays are featured throughout the year in the second-floor gallery. Temporary exhibitions are occasionally installed in other rooms. Many pieces of art on display throughout the building belong to collectionArtNB, the provincial art collection celebrating excellence among New Brunswick’s visual artists.