Province House reopened in Charlottetown on 24 October after a lengthy restoration. The Canadian landmark had closed for repairs in 2015 following warnings about its foundations and masonry. The project preserved historic stone and timber while adding an elevator and upgraded services. Legislative clerk Joey Jeffrey said about 2,000 people visited the reopening.
Province House, the historic legislature in Charlottetown on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, reopened on 24 October after a lengthy conservation project. The neoclassical building first hosted a legislative session in 1847. It also hosted the September 1864 negotiations preceding Canada’s establishment three years later. Legislative clerk Joey Jeffrey said about 2,000 people came to see the renovated building on reopening day.[1], [2]
An engineering assessment in February 2014 identified a crumbling foundation and the risk of partial collapse. The roof leaked, masonry deteriorated and plaster peeled from walls and ceilings. Jeffrey said water had dissolved the mortar holding stones together inside the walls. Province House closed for repairs in 2015, and the chamber moved to the nearby Honourable George Coles Building. Pandemic disruption, supply problems and shortages of skilled workers prolonged the project.[1]
The work covered masonry, plaster, windows, historic woodwork and flooring, alongside an elevator and upgraded plumbing, electrical, ventilation and safety systems. The basement floor was lowered by 1.5 metres for staff facilities, storage and an accessible washroom. Parks Canada, the federal agency maintaining the site since 1974, announced in 2023 that total investment in long-term preservation was 138 million dollars.[1]
