The Government House site was once the location of the 17th century Acadian
settlement known as Sainte-Anne. Located nearby is an earlyburial
ground where both Wolastoquewiyik (Maliseet) and Acadian peoples are buried.
Government House has had a varied and colourful history since the
first cornerstone was laid in 1826 and the official re-opening in 1999.
- Designed by English-born
New Brunswick architect J.W. Woolford, who designed several other buildings
in Fredericton, including Fredericton Barracks, the Old Arts Building
at the University of New Brunswick and the York County Jail.
- Served as the
official vice-regal residence until 1892 - many important decisions
affecting the Province were made in the building.
- It was abandoned
as the official vice-regal residence in 1894 for financial reasons,
following the tenure of Lieutenant Governor Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley.
- Government House
became the Fredericton Institute for the Deaf and Dumb from 1896 to
1900.
- Units of the Canadian
Expeditionary Force occupied the building from 1914 to 1921.
- It became a military
barracks during World War 1 and later a hospital for returning soldiers
until 1924.
- Government House
remained vacant until 1934 when it became RCMP J Division headquarters
until 1988.
- Recognizing the historical and architectural
importance of Government House, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board
of Canada declared the building a National Historic Site in 1958, and
erected a plaque on location in 1962.
- In 1996 the Province
of New Brunswick designated the building and property a historic site
under the Historic Sites Protection Act , paving the way for
the recent renovations to its original state.
- After renovations
began in May 1997, Government House became the home of the current Lieutenant
Governor and was opened to the public July 1, 1999.
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