Province House (Prince Edward Island)

This article is about the legislative building for Prince Edward Island. For other uses, see Province House.
Province House

Province House is Prince Edward Island's provincial legislature and a National Historic Site
General information
Architectural style Roman/Greek Revival
Town or city Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Country Canada
Construction started 1843
Inaugurated 1847
Design and construction
Architect Isaac Smith
Official name Province House National Historic Site of Canada
Designated 1973
Type Designated Heritage Place
Designated 2004

Province House is where the Prince Edward Island Legislature, known as the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, has met since 1847. The building is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown; it is Canada's second-oldest seat of government.[1]

History

The cornerstone was laid in May 1843 and it commenced operation for the first time in January 1847. The entire structure was built for a cost of £10,000 and was designed by Isaac Smith. Smith was a self-trained architect from Yorkshire, who also designed the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. It was built by Island craftsmen during a time of prosperity for the colony. Its architectural lines include Greek and Roman influences, common to public buildings in North America built during this era.

From September 1–7, 1864, Province House had an important role in helping Prince Edward Island host the Charlottetown Conference which resulted in Canadian Confederation.

In 1973, Parks Canada approached the government of Prince Edward Island with a proposal for joint management and restoration of the structure in recognition of its important role in Canadian history. Under the ensuing agreement, both parties agreed to a 99-year period of joint management. Parks Canada paid for a $3.5 million (CAD) restoration from 1979–1983 which involved part of the building being restored to the 1864 period. The provincial legislature occupies one end of the building, whereas the restored Confederation Chamber displays the room where the Charlottetown Conference meetings occurred.

On April 20, 1995, a powerful pipe bomb exploded beneath a wooden wheelchair ramp on the north side of Province House, destroying glass in windows and causing some minor structural damage. Several passersby were injured and the explosion occurred only five minutes after an entire class of school children on a tour of the building had passed through the area. The bombing occurred only one day after the Oklahoma City bombing and is considered to be a copycat action. Responsibility was claimed by a group calling itself Loki 7; however, a subsequent police investigation and criminal court case blamed a single individual, Roger Charles Bell.

Province House National Historic Site

Province House was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1973.[2] It is one of only three provincial legislative buildings, along with Province House in Halifax and the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, to be so designated. Province House is also designated under the provincial Heritage Places Protection Act.[3]

Visitors can tour the 1860s period rooms, which include displays about the Charlottetown Conference, the building and the Provincial Legislative Assembly. An audio-visual presentation about the Conference is available, titled "A Great Dream".

References

  1. ↑ "Province House National Historic Site of Canada". Parks Canada. 2012-03-15. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Province House National Historic Site of Canada. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Province House. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
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Coordinates: 46°14′06″N 63°07′34″W / 46.234927°N 63.126084°W / 46.234927; -63.126084

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