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Government House
Main Floor - Entrance Hall
Visitors to Government House are attracted immediately by the beauty
and charm of the Entrance Hall, Main Hall and Grand Staircase, and the
ornate woodwork and plaster in this area of the residence. The entire
area was refurbished and redecorated in the first major renovations to
Government House in decades, which occurred in 1999 at the beginning of
the term of The Honourable Peter M. Liba.
In a project initiated by Her Honour Shirley Liba, the Chatelaine of
Government House at the time of the 1999 renovations, the wall-to-wall
carpeting in this area was pulled up to expose the beautiful Manitoba
oak flooring. The flooring was refurbished to its original state and now
is complemented by area rugs which add to the richness and warmth of the
halls. The wallcovering has a traditional design dating back to the early
use of wallcovering.
- The elegant oak staircase curves up to the Second Floor, and
the carpet on the staircase and upstairs hallways reflects the primary
blue colour on the frieze surrounding the skylight area.
- Corner Chair - circa 1880-90 - ebonized walnut (in outer vestibule).
- Small Chair near Clock - circa 1910-15 - oak and other woods;
factory made.
- Grandfather Clock - One of the original pieces brought to Government
House, this clock, made of mahogany, was crafted in England about 1870
or slightly later. It is termed a "Westminster Eight Bells".
Although many of these clocks were produced during the latter part of
the 1800's in England, and can still be found there, very few have found
their way to Canada. They are extra large, very heavy and difficult
to service. A distinctive feature is the picture on the top face that
moves with the change of the moon. The pendulums are solid brass and
so heavy that, if dropped, would go right through the floor. The quality
and fine craftsmanship of this clock belongs to another era. It is simply
not found today. The calibre of watchmakers able to service this type
of clock is also a dying art.
- Wardrobe - Fine Early English Victorian; a combination of plain
and burl walnut, hand forged steel decorative hooks. In the mid 1970's
the back was extended to give more depth so that it could be used for
coat storage.
- 2 Chairs flanking entrance arch - circa 1910-15 – carved
oak.
- Pedestal - circa 1905-10. Empire design and holds the bronze
bust of Queen Victoria.
- Large High-Back Chairs - circa 1880-90 - ebonized walnut,
hand carved faces and lions heads.
- Sideboard - circa 1840-60 - plain and burl walnut. The original
back has been removed and replaced with a low back. The original was
probably a decorative shape that might have sat at least three feet
above the top of the sideboard. Note the different designs of the hand-carved
fruit.
- Buffalo Painting by Frederic Verner - Found in flag tower by
son of Lieutenant Governor Errick Willis (1960-65), and was cleaned
and restored.
- Small Victorian Table is walnut, has interesting fret-work design
typical of Early Victorian. Larger Table, which is later Victorian,
features an incised design on the stretcher and feet. Incising (or cutting
a design into) utilized the new tools used by the craftsmen of that
time.
Back to Government House
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Grand Staircase
Grandfather Clock
Entrance Chair
Sculpture Bust of Queen Victoria
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History
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