A drone image of Province House National Historic Site while still surrounded by the exoskeleton that provided an essential and safe work platform for the project team/Parks Canada
The Province House National Historic Site conservation project in Prince Edward Island will get an extra $46 million ($34 million USD) for its final two phases.
As part of the recent funding announcement, stakeholders, community members and media were invited inside the historic building in Charlottetown to view the intricate masonry work, the stories hidden inside the walls (signatures and unique markings), and the magnitude of work that has gone into restoring the site.
Province House lets visitors immerse themselves in Canadian history, neoclassical architecture and PEI politics. It was built between 1843 and 1847 and hosted the first session of the PEI Legislature in January 1847. It is Canada’s second oldest active legislative building, after Nova Scotia’s Province House, which opened in 1819.
Province House is owned by the province of PEI and is operated as a national historic site by Parks Canada. The restoration project is being managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada on behalf of Parks Canada.
A variability of colour on the exterior stones is not new to Province House. Looking at old photographs, like this one from the 1940s, you can tell which stones had been previously replaced. Over time, the stone weathers, through a process called oxidation, and will blend in with the original stone/Public Archives of Canada
A contract is now in place to complete the remaining work in Phase 3 of the project, which involves fit-up work focused on establishing universal accessibility, fire code compliance, building systems including electrical, mechanical and HVAC as well as interior finishes, such as painting and flooring. Province House will be made fully accessible for the first time, and the new geothermal heating and cooling system will increase its energy efficiency, saving about $10,000 ($7,300 USD) annually.
The final portion of the project — Phase 4 — involves the design, development and installation of a new visitor experience offer. Under the guidance of Parks Canada’s Framework for History and Commemoration, national and local Indigenous and cultural communities have been engaged to ensure that many voices are included in the exhibits. The exhibits project team is working on content development and exhibit design.
The total investment for the long-term preservation of Province House is $138 million ($101 million USD). Due to its size and complexity, funding has been allocated incrementally and the work has been completed in phases.
A stonemason works on stones, below grade of Province House National Historic Site/Parks Canada
This project began in 2015, following an investigation that showed the foundation, stone walls, windows and roof needed significant work. In February 2020, Ottawa announced what was expected to be the final budget allotment for the project with a summer 2022 project completion date. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created unanticipated workforce and supply chain challenges, material cost increases and project delays.
The goal is to reopen the building to the public in 2025.
Visitors can learn more about Province House at “The Story of Confederation” exhibit at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, which includes a replica of the Confederation Chamber, complete with reproduction table and chairs, and some original artifacts from the building.
