The Government House of Prince Edward Island is a resplendent colonial mansion set at the edge of the glorious Victoria Park. Built in 1834, this architecturally impressive landmark is the home of the serving lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island. Visit the Government House of Prince Edward Island to appreciate its regal prowess and glimpse inside a selection of its well-appointed rooms.
The house features a whitewashed Georgian design with hints of Palladian influences. The structure is the work of British architect Isaac Smith, who arrived on Prince Edward Island with his family in 1817. Pay attention to the symmetrical façade dominated by a columned portico entranceway. This bears similarities to Duncombe Park in Yorkshire, England, on whose grounds Smith once lived. Running on either side of the entrance is a veranda supported by Doric-style columns.
Pass through the main entrance to a reception room, which leads to a grand staircase. Note the 15-foot-tall (4.6-meter) columns that support the reception’s gallery. Peek inside bedrooms and living rooms decorated with mahogany furniture. Portraits of the Fathers of the Confederation, among other notable figures in Canadian history, line the walls. See the room where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip stayed during their official visit in 1959.
The house is located about a 15-minute walk from Charlottetown’s city center. Metered parking is available on nearby Kent Street. Combine your tour with a walk around the adjacent Victoria Park. Stroll along the waterfront boardwalk, enjoy picnics on the grassy lawns and learn about colonial history at the Prince Edward Battery. Also nearby is Beaconsfield Historic House, a charming Victorian-era mansion open for guided tours.
The Government House of Prince Edward Island is a private residence, thus generally closed to the public. Join a free guided tour of the house, available from Monday to Friday in July and August. Access is also possible during the annual New Year’s Levée, when the lieutenant governor welcomes visitors in to mark the start of a new year.
