Province House, Halifax is located on Hollis Street. This building in the downtown area and is the home to the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia. Province House, Halifax is the seat of democracy in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The cornerstone for the building was laid in August 12, 1811. The construction of the building was completed in 1818. The corner stone was laid by the soldier-governor of the province Prevost. Incidentally this was his last act as an incumbent. The house was built over a period of 8 years. It was built during an inflation period caused due to a war, at a cost which exceeded the original budget by over ?32,000.
The plan of Province House was prepared by John Merrick. It was designed and built by Richard Scott. Inside Province House, there is a large oak table which has been taken from the HMS Beaufort, the flagship of Col. Edward Cornwallis, the founder of the city. The Cabinet of the government of Nova Scotia today meets round this table.
This site is historically significant for several reasons. One of the notable reasons is because it was the home to Canada's oldest provincial legislature. The house also served as seat of the first overseas self-government of Britain. The Georgian-style building was first opened in 1842 and was described as a gem by famous author Charles Dickens.
The house has a lot to offer to visitors. Through guided tours, displays and an audio-visual presentation in the house one can learn about the history of the site and the current Legislative Assembly. Province House is open year-round and can be visited at 1726 Hollis Street.
Guided tour to the Province House includes a visit to the Red Chamber where the Council used to meet. The two portraits found here are of Caroline von Anspach, wife of King George II, and of her father-in-law, King George I. In fact King George's portrait was sent by mistake for that of his son in 1820. The tour also takes one to the parliament chamber and the library. The library with its two grand staircases was once the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. In 1835, Joseph Howe defended himself against the charge of defamation at this place. His acquittal is considered as the beginning of a free press in Nova Scotia.
The last room has two sculptures of beheaded hawks. At the height of anti-American feeling in the 1840's the hawks were beheaded because they resembled the American eagle.
travel.mapsofworld.com provides detailed information on Province House, Halifax.
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