History

Government House

Main Floor - Salon III

The rear drawing room, now known as Salon III, continues to serve its original purpose. Folding doors once closed it off from the adjoining room, now Salon II. The fireplace area is the focal point of Salon III where Their Honours often meet visiting dignitaries.Salon III serves as the "crossroads" of the residence, leading into the Ballroom on the west end and the Dining Rooms on the south side of the House.

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

• Suite consisting of Settee, Side Chair and Arm Chair - circa 1910-15 - mahogany and probably machine carved. A number of factories in America and Eastern Canada employed talented craftsmen to custom make furniture of a fine calibre. They developed a delicate design combining the French cabriole leg with a mix of other designs. The scale was light, the fabrics delicate.

• Oval Table - circa 1880-90 - walnut. The oval shape was a great favourite and frequently topped by decorative embroidered, tatted or lace runners. The carved pedestal and stretcher with incised carving on legs and claw.

• Wing-Back Chairs were made for this room, and are slightly smaller than usual.

• Sheer Drapes, reminiscent of Victorian lace curtains, were made in France.

• Oval Table - feet are most typical of this period. The brass casters are the original.

• Arm Chair - beautiful example of early Victorian - 1840-60. It is mahogany with carved cabriole legs.

• Hanging on northeast wall opposite the Ballroom entrance is an ancient form of Knotting. The artist is Leona Billingkoff of Manitoba and it presents an interpretation of the present day in an art form predating modern man.

• Display Table, circa 1900 - a favorite design of French and/or Italian deviation. Finish not the original.

• Ceramic Sculpture - "Emmett" - by Joe Fafard - 1976 - Now living in Pense, Saskatchewan. Joe Fafard studied art at University of Manitoba School of Art, then in New York at Penn State. Has worked and taught in both eastern and western Canada. Has given up teaching to sculpt full time. Fafard has gained an international reputation for his lovable cows and for his ceramic portraits. He sculpts people he has an empathy with, neighbours and friends. The sculptures look unmistakably like their real life models coupled with Fafard's own shrewd insight and artist's touch. "Emmett" was an old bachelor and neighbour of the sculptor in Pense. The comedian, Bill Cosby, after seeing "Emmett" on a visit to Government House, now has three sculptures of himself which he commissioned the artist to create.