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Government House (Saskatchewan)
Encyclopedia
Government House, Regina, Saskatchewan
, was constructed as a residence for the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories, whose territorial headquarters were in Regina until the provinces of Saskatchewan
and Alberta
were created out of the Territories in 1905 and Regina became the capital of Saskatchewan.
At that point Government House became the vice-regal residence of Saskatchewan, which it remained until 1944 when it entered into a period of being somewhat of a white elephant until the latter part of the 20th century when it returned to official ceremonial use.
Government House was designed by the Dominion architect, Thomas Fuller, together with the Territorial government buildings east on Dewdney Avenue. It was completed in 1891 at a cost of $50,000.
A substantial brick and masonry building, the new Government House replaced the cold, draughty wooden clapboard 1883 Government House which stood on the current site of Luther College on Royal Avenue until its demolition in 1908.
The new building was the first residence in the Territories to be electrified (the Regina YMCA had been electrified in 1890). A conservatory was built in 1901 and a ballroom in 1929.
, then operated by the CPR in downtown Regina.
The furnishings and household goods were sold at auction. Government House was leased to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
for use as a veterans rehabilitation facility. In 1958, re-named Saskatchewan House, the building entered into 10 years' use as an adult education centre until it was proposed that it be demolished and the site redeveloped. A large part of the extensive grounds had already been sold for the construction of the Pioneer Village nursing home and other uses.
From 1967 John Coulter
's play "The Trial of Louis Riel
" was performed throughout the summers in the Government House (then "Saskatchewan House") ballroom, arrayed as in photos of the original Supreme Court of the North-West Territories courthouse at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Hamilton Street, Regina, with members of the audience recruited as jurymen. Local lawyer Stephen Arsenych customarily performed the role of Riel.
However, historically-minded local groups including the Regina Chamber of Commerce
, Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire
, Regina Council of Women and the City of Regina were brought together to fight for the preservation of and restoration of the building.
In 1971 the Society for the Preservation and Restoration of Saskatchewan House (now the Government House Historical Society) was formed and by 1980 its efforts were rewarded. Government House, its original name and historical fittings and many historical contents restored, re-opened as a historic site for public education and edification.
In 1984 the offices of the Lieutenant-Governor returned to Government House, though the Lieutenant-Governor is housed in accommodation provided by the federal government, reflecting the constitutionally somewhat anomalous role of Ottawa in providing vice-regal appointments for the provinces.
in the Government House foyer and ballroom for the public was resumed immediately after the Lieutenant-Governor's offices returned there: there is a receiving line where the Vice-regal party greets the public and fruitcake and sherry are served in the ballroom. Government House is extensively decorated in holiday mode throughout, especially in the ballroom and foyer.
Guides in "period" costume (albeit, curiously, in the costume of the 1780s rather than the 1890s, in mobcaps, tricorne hats and knee breeches: one hopes that the historical and civics information provided in the educational sections of the facility is somewhat more correct) give free tours of Government House.
The Government House Historical Society holds a Victorian tea in the ballroom on some weekends during the spring, summer and fall season.
Government House is now "a museum of the 1900 period under Lieutenant-Governor Amédée Forget, and a hospitality facility for government and non-profit organizations."
Over the years, several staff and former students have observed strange occurrences at Government House. Doors have been said to open and close repeatedly with no one near, the sound of crying babies and laughing children have been heard late at night with no one around, and others have claimed to see eerie faces next to theirs when looking into mirrors.
One particular ghost of note is "Howie," believed to be the former cook of Lieutenant-Governor Archibald McNab
. Many believe that his spirit roams the house; his footsteps often heard shuffling through the halls. He even has a say in the interior decorating—witnesses have inexplicably found objects shifted or moved from one room to another.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, was constructed as a residence for the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories, whose territorial headquarters were in Regina until the provinces of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
and Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
were created out of the Territories in 1905 and Regina became the capital of Saskatchewan.
At that point Government House became the vice-regal residence of Saskatchewan, which it remained until 1944 when it entered into a period of being somewhat of a white elephant until the latter part of the 20th century when it returned to official ceremonial use.
Design and construction
A substantial brick and masonry building, the new Government House replaced the cold, draughty wooden clapboard 1883 Government House which stood on the current site of Luther College on Royal Avenue until its demolition in 1908.
The new building was the first residence in the Territories to be electrified (the Regina YMCA had been electrified in 1890). A conservatory was built in 1901 and a ballroom in 1929.
Years out of service
Vice-regal palaces were something of an anomaly in the political climate of 1940s Saskatchewan, and in March 1945 the Lieutenant-Governor's office and residence were moved out of Government House and into the Hotel SaskatchewanHotel Saskatchewan
The Hotel Saskatchewan is a grand hotel located in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, overlooking Victoria Park.One of a chain of hotels constructed and owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the railway's earlier hotels, such as the Château Frontenac in Quebec City, the Chateau Lake Louise and...
, then operated by the CPR in downtown Regina.
The furnishings and household goods were sold at auction. Government House was leased to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs Canada
The Department of Veterans Affairs , also referred to as Veterans Affairs Canada , is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for pensions/benefits and services for war veterans, retired personnel of the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, their families,...
for use as a veterans rehabilitation facility. In 1958, re-named Saskatchewan House, the building entered into 10 years' use as an adult education centre until it was proposed that it be demolished and the site redeveloped. A large part of the extensive grounds had already been sold for the construction of the Pioneer Village nursing home and other uses.
From 1967 John Coulter
John Coulter (playwright)
John Coulter was an Irish Canadian playwright and broadcaster.-Life:He graduated from University of Manchester. He taught school in Belfast and Dublin until 1919....
's play "The Trial of Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
" was performed throughout the summers in the Government House (then "Saskatchewan House") ballroom, arrayed as in photos of the original Supreme Court of the North-West Territories courthouse at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Hamilton Street, Regina, with members of the audience recruited as jurymen. Local lawyer Stephen Arsenych customarily performed the role of Riel.
Restoration
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire
Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire
The Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire is a women's charitable organization based in Canada. The club was originally titled the "Federation of Daughters of the British Empire", which was founded by Margaret Clark Murray in 1900...
, Regina Council of Women and the City of Regina were brought together to fight for the preservation of and restoration of the building.
In 1971 the Society for the Preservation and Restoration of Saskatchewan House (now the Government House Historical Society) was formed and by 1980 its efforts were rewarded. Government House, its original name and historical fittings and many historical contents restored, re-opened as a historic site for public education and edification.
In 1984 the offices of the Lieutenant-Governor returned to Government House, though the Lieutenant-Governor is housed in accommodation provided by the federal government, reflecting the constitutionally somewhat anomalous role of Ottawa in providing vice-regal appointments for the provinces.
Lieutenant-Governor's New Year's Day Levee and other public receptions
The tradition of the Lieutenant-Governor holding a New Years Day levéeLevee (event)
The levée is a New Year's Day social event hosted by the Governor General of Canada, the lieutenant governors, military establishments, municipalities and other institutions.- History :The word levée The levée is a New Year's Day social event hosted by the Governor General of Canada, the lieutenant...
in the Government House foyer and ballroom for the public was resumed immediately after the Lieutenant-Governor's offices returned there: there is a receiving line where the Vice-regal party greets the public and fruitcake and sherry are served in the ballroom. Government House is extensively decorated in holiday mode throughout, especially in the ballroom and foyer.
Guides in "period" costume (albeit, curiously, in the costume of the 1780s rather than the 1890s, in mobcaps, tricorne hats and knee breeches: one hopes that the historical and civics information provided in the educational sections of the facility is somewhat more correct) give free tours of Government House.
The Government House Historical Society holds a Victorian tea in the ballroom on some weekends during the spring, summer and fall season.
2005 Visitor and administration centre
In 2005 a visitor and administration centre and coach house were added and the grounds that remained after alienation of a substantial proportion of them for the Pioneer Village old peoples' home restored to their Edwardian configuration as a provincial centennial project.Government House is now "a museum of the 1900 period under Lieutenant-Governor Amédée Forget, and a hospitality facility for government and non-profit organizations."
Alleged haunting
One particular ghost of note is "Howie," believed to be the former cook of Lieutenant-Governor Archibald McNab
Archibald Peter McNab
Archibald Peter "Archie" McNab was the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan from 1936 until 1945. He was the last lieutenant governor of the province to live in Government House....
. Many believe that his spirit roams the house; his footsteps often heard shuffling through the halls. He even has a say in the interior decorating—witnesses have inexplicably found objects shifted or moved from one room to another.
See also
- Lieutenant-Governors of SaskatchewanLieutenant-Governors of SaskatchewanThe following is a list of the Lieutenant Governors of Saskatchewan. Though the present day office of the lieutenant governor in Saskatchewan came into being only upon the province's entry into Canadian Confederation in 1905, the post is a continuation from the first governorship of the Northwest...
- Monarchy in SaskatchewanMonarchy in SaskatchewanBy the arrangements of the Canadian federation, the Canadian monarchy operates in Saskatchewan as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy; As such, the Crown within Saskatchewan's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in Right of Saskatchewan, Her Majesty in Right...
- Government Houses of CanadaGovernment Houses of CanadaIn Canada, Government House is a title given to the official residences of the country's monarch and various viceroys...
- Government Houses of the British Empire
- Saskatchewan Legislative BuildingSaskatchewan Legislative BuildingThe Saskatchewan Legislative Building is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and houses the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.-History:...
Further reading
- Drake, Earl G. Regina, the Queen City. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd, 1955.
- Hryniuk, Margaret and Pugh, Garth. "A Tower of Attraction" An Illustrated History of Government House, Regina, Saskatchewan. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center, 1991.