History

Government House

Main Floor - Salon I

The front drawing room, now known as Salon I, was the Library when the House was built.  Folding doors closed it off from the adjoining room (now Salon II) at the archway where the pillars stand on either side.  Salon I is now used primarily as the drawing room where Their Honours welcome guests for the various functions they host at Government House.

Recently, the blue carpets that covered all three salons were lifted to find original wood floors.

• Large Sofa with heavy claw legs - This sofa was produced about 1880, and originally was upholstered with fabric over horsehair. An almost identical one can be found in Canada Village - Quebec. The design on which it was based dates back to 1825, and the latter part of the Duncan Phyfe period. Although we most often associate Duncan Phyfe design with the delicate reeded legs of his early period, the furniture he produced towards the end of his life was influenced by the Empire period. The massive claw feet and the heavy design were typical of that time, and lent itself to reproduction in the Victorian era.

• Rectangular Table - circa 1900 - a design used both in Italy and France, and often manufactured for the demand in England. It is a combination of tulip wood and mahogany. The gorgeous contoured top is inlaid wood (marquetry). The inlays combine a variety of woods to give interesting colour and texture. The apron is quarter-cut and veneered. The cabriole legs have gilt-cast mounts.

• Open Arm Chair - Interesting and graceful lines - circa 1910-5 - made of mahogony in a design most typical of factory made chairs produced in Eastern Canada and United States.

• Small Arm Chair - circa 1900 - is mahogany and an adaptation of Chippendale.

• Porcelain Sculpture of the Indian Chief, "Wankan Tonkan", by Helen Granger Young, a Manitoba artist, was a gift for the House's 100th birthday.

• Red Velvet Chairs (likely eight) were brought to the House during tenure of Sir James and Lady Aikins, 1916-26.