Government House, St. John`s

51±¬ÁÏÍø

Government House, St. John`s

Government House, St. John`s

Government House stands as a cherished symbol of the nation's democratic journey, tracing its roots from the era of slavery to full emancipation in 1834 and ultimately achieving confident independence in 1981.

Established in a Parsonage dating back to the 1700s, Government House has served as the official residence of the islands' Governor General since 1800. The present-day Government House, dating from the early nineteenth century, continues to hold the distinction of being the official residence of the Governor General, representing Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State.

The main building, characterized by traditional West Indian construction, exudes historical charm and significance. Surrounding the central structure are a series of historic outbuildings, each with its unique purpose, including carriage houses, stables, laundry buildings, kitchens, servants' quarters, cisterns, limestone filters, and gardens. The ensemble is enclosed by a masonry perimeter wall, adding to the architectural and historical richness of the site.

Having withstood the ravages of fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and termites over the years, Government House in St. John's is an extraordinary survivor of shared heritage. It holds a prominent place among the most important historic buildings on the island and in the wider Caribbean region. Threatened with demolition at one point, the intervention of the Governor-General, Sir Rodney Williams, played a decisive role in preserving this iconic structure for future generations.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in St. John`s. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Government House on Map

Sight Name: Government House
Sight Location: St. John`s, Antigua and Barbuda (See walking tours in St. John`s)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in St. John`s, Antigua and Barbuda

Create Your Own Walk in St. John`s

Create Your Own Walk in St. John`s

Creating your own self-guided walk in St. John`s is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
St. John's Introduction Walking Tour

St. John's Introduction Walking Tour

The capital of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s doubles as the nation's primary port. Given its size (the largest city on the island) and the variety of attractions available, it is a favorite stop for Caribbean island-hopping cruises.

Saint John's is named for the island's patron saint and has a storied past deeply rooted in indigenous cultures (the Arawaks and Caribs) and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles