Before Newfoundland formally joined Canada as a province, it was run by a governor. But once that switch was made, a lieutenant governor was given that job. It's an appointed position now, and said to be non-partisan and a political.
This is where the leader of Newfoundland has lived since 1831. The land formally received colonial status in 1825, and the governor lived off shore in a boat. But it was decided a more formal residence was needed, and it took a few years to build one. But after six years, the Government House was open for business.
It's a stately enough looking place, and the formal aspects of government work usually take place here. We only had the chance to see the lobby of the building, which was formal and dignified.
Our tour guide told a fine story about one of the occupants way back when. Apparently one of the governors thought he was a King, more or less. He spent a great deal of money on the place, even if it wasn't particularly necessary, and wasn't particularly nice to the staff. When the man walked away from the job, the workers lined up and threw food at him as a goodbye present. Nicely played.
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