About Us

Government House was built in 1891, and first served as the official residence of the Queen’s representative. It was completed when the area known today as Saskatchewan was still part of the Northwest Territories, a large area encompassing two-thirds of what is today known as Canada. This magnificent structure was the seat of Government and was designed by Thomas Fuller, Chief Architect for the Dominion of Canada and designer of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. It was a symbol of power and was remarkably advanced for its day. It was the first home on the western prairies to feature electric lights, hot and cold running water, central steam heating, and telephone service.

From 1905, when Saskatchewan became a province, until 1945 Government House served as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governors. Since then the house was used as a convalescent home for veterans returning from the Second World War, and as an adult education centre until the mid 1970s. From 1981 to the present, Government House functions as a tourism destination and an educational facility for the general public. It is a museum circa 1900, displaying artefacts of Amédéé Forget when he was Lieutenant Governor. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor returned to Government House in 1984 and continues to occupy the north wing of the House. The building also serves as a hospitality facility for governments, non profit organizations and public groups.

In May 2005 Her Majesty the Queen officially opened the new wing named in her honour, “The Queen Elizabeth II Wing” and the new self guided J.E.N. Wiebe Interpretive Centre that features interactive multi-media presentations, murals and highlights the history of the Crown and governance in Saskatchewan.

[Government House Historical Society]