Government House, St. John`s

The Government House is the official residence of the lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. Constructed between 1827 and 1831 by the Royal Engineers under the direction of Sir Thomas Cochrane, it served as the official residence of the governor of Newfoundland until the year of Confederation in 1949. Subsequently, it transitioned into the abode of the lieutenant-governor.

Built in Palladian style, the two-story building features a center block flanked by wings, showcasing red sandstone quarried at Signal Hill and trimmed with English Portland stone. The construction of Government House aimed to symbolize the elevated status of Newfoundland as a British colony within the Empire. Its layout emphasized ceremonial spaces, including a salon, dining room, and ballroom, designed for grand receptions and formal processions, befitting a colonial governor. It was officially recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1982.