Did you know that Government House is listed as the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas and it houses the Office of the governor general? The original government house was the home of Governor Richard Fitzwilliam and was completed in 1737 but was soon replaced with a new building built in the Georgian Colonial style as we see it today.
Who owns Government House of The Bahamas?
The Bahamas government house is actually owned by the people of the Bahamas. This, ofcourse is through the ruling political party at any given time which have been The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) since The Bahamas’s Independence in 1973.
The government house is the seat of the governor general who represents the power of the Queen of England in the former British colony of the Bahamas.
After Bahamian Independence in 1973 the position of Governor General was created to represent the Bahamas as a sovereign state independent from the United Kingdom but still a constitutional monarchy
Who lives at the Government house?
The politically appointed Governor general holds the government house as his/her residence however not many of the past or present governors have actually took up residence in the building.
The building, however houses the Office of the Governor General with government workers who help support the functions of the Governor general.
Where is Government House located in the Bahamas?
Government house sits on top of Mount Fitzwilliam which was named after governor Richard Fitzwilliam. The govenor built his home ergo the hill is home on the hill top as he was the first governor of the colonies between 1733 to 1738.
Mount Fitzwilliam is located on Duke street but is mistaken for Shirley street overlooking the harbour of Nassau. It is bounded on the west by West st, now Baillou Hill and bounded on the east by Market Street. The property extends as far back south as school lane.
The entire property is 10 acres of land complete with terraces, gardens and open yard space.
How old is the Bahamas government house?
The original structure was a home for the first governor, governor Fitzwilliam who built his home in 1733. This would have made the original structure over 249 years old in 2022 However because the building went through a few destruction and additions the present day building would have began its construction in 1806 – 1932.
The building standing today is a far cry from its original lime stone structure but it has been standing and undergone changes for over 216 years.
Its hard to pinpoint which parts of the standing structure are part of the original lime stone building as additions were made over the decades.
History of the government house
The original structure was built by governor Fitzwilliam but was destroyed and replaced with a limestone structure.
This lime stone building was officially known as the first government house.
The newly completed limestone building was first occupied by Governor Charles Cameron in 1806 and it stood proudly atop the hill until the hurricane of 1929 that severely damaged much of the building.
The building was rebuilt and repaired by 1932. The process of destruction and rebuilding happened a few times and soon additional wings were added to the building and over time it evolved into what we see today.
Office of the Governor General
The office of the governor general came into existence the same time the Bahamas gained independence. This office assist the governor general to carry out his/her duties in the country.
This is mainly ceremonial duties such as welcoming heads of states and diplomats. The one function the office is well known for is to assist the governor general with delivering the Speech form the Throne given at the opening of parliament.
Another well know function is to present Bahamians with medals and honors for their service to the Bahamas and the Bahamian people.
List of past governor Generals
| Governor General |
|---|
| Richard Fitzwilliam |
| Charles Cameron |
| Sir John Paul |
| Sir Milo Butler |
| Doris Sands Johnson |
| Sir Gerald Cash |
| Sir Henry Milton Taylor |
| Sir Clifford Darling |
| Sir Orville Turnquest |
| Dame Ivy Dumont |
| Paul Adderley |
| Arthur Dion Hanna |
| Sir Arthur Foulkes |
| Dame Marguerite Pindling |
| Sir Cornelius A. Smith |
Visits to government house
To visit the government house you will be asked to show valid identification and your movement will be restricted to certain areas of the property.
The Governor general is know for hosting people to people events and the occasional tea party and craft showcase.
The most amazing attraction however is the changing of the guard.
The government house is protected and monitored by the Royal Bahamas Defense force and Police force. The changing of the guard is an old colonial tradition that is still carried out to this day.
To find out when the next changing of the guard will occur its best to contact the office of the governor general for more information.
Point of interest
In front of the government house building, midway down the staircase is a statue of Christopher Columbus.
It was made in London and planted in front of the building by Governor James Carmichael Smyth in 1830. The statue was renowned for its size standing at 12 feet more than its representation.
Unfortunately due to vandalism in 2021 the statue was damaged and is presently covered and slated to be removed for repair.
Learn more about the Government House of the Bahamas HERE