Commissariat House

Explore one of the finest examples of nineteenth century Georgian architecture in Newfoundland and Labrador by visiting The Commissariat. Enjoy a guided tour or explore this expertly restored site on your own. The Commissariat has been restored to how it looked in the 1830s when St. John’s was alive with talk of Newfoundlanders getting the right to manage their own affairs through their own government.

Built between 1818-1820, The Commissariat served as the home and offices of the Assistant Commissary General – the supply officer for British forces in Newfoundland. After the withdrawal of the British garrison in 1870, The Commissariat functioned as a rectory for St. Thomas’ Church until 1969 except from 1918-1921 when it was a nursing home and a hospital.

Explore nineteenth clothing, toys and games during your visit. Make a shadow puppet and put on a shadow play – shadow plays were a popular form of entertainment in the 1800s. Try your hand at writing with a quill and ink like the clerks in the Commissariat office would have. Have a walk around the grounds which include 100 year old trees and a kitchen garden.

Open from the Victoria Day long weekend until just before Thanksgiving.

Location

11 Kings Bridge Road
St. John’s, NL A1C 1S5
WEBSITE

Plan Your Visit

For more information about the Commissariat House, please visit their website or email info@seethesites.ca.

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The Passport Places network is made possible through valued partnerships with Canadian heritage organizations, site operators and owners. Look for the following logo at participating historic sites. Partner Organization: Provincial Historic Sites – Newfoundland and Labrador