The Colonial Building

The Colonial Building is a neoclassical landmark that served as the seat of Newfoundland’s government from 1850 to 1959. Its origins trace back to 1832, when Newfoundland gained representative government and needed a permanent home for its legislature. After a few chaotic years of meeting in taverns and temporary quarters (including one episode where an unpaid landlady seized government property!), construction began in 1847.

Designed by Irish architect James Purcell and built with white limestone imported from Cork, Ireland, the building features six imposing Ionic columns and a pediment carved with the Royal Coat of Arms. Inside, its grand chambers and intricate plasterwork reflect the ambitions of a young colony asserting its place in the British Empire.

The Colonial Building witnessed pivotal moments in Newfoundland’s history, including the 1932 riot during the Great Depression and the debates leading up to Confederation with Canada. After the legislature moved out in 1959, the building fell into underuse until a major restoration project revived its original splendor in the 2020s.Read more