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The pictured building housed Canada's first parliament. Constructed between 1833 and 1835, it was originally commissioned as a hospital. However, due to insufficient funds for stocking and operating the hospital, the building was rented out. |
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After the completion of these renovations, the building served as the Parliament Building from 1841-1844. Here Kingston was represented briefly by Anthony Manahan, followed by Samuel Bealey
Harrison.1
After 1844 Parliament moved due to the Kingston location's growing unpopularity in the legislature. Here the major concerns were an insufficient number of buildings to handle officials and their assistants, and a movement in French Canada to secure the capital for itself. Both matters were settled when the Parliament reopened in Montreal on November 28, 1844.2 Today the main building still stands on the grounds of Kingston General Hospital, and is used to house administrative offices. It is accessible through a new main entrance off Stuart Street (See Adjacent Map). |
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¹Thank you to Dr. Margaret Angus for supplying this information. ²Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. |
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Page / Announcement of 1st
Parliament / Canada's
1st Parliament / City Hall of the Capital |
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After the Union of the Canadas was officially proclaimed on February 15, 1841, Governor General, Lord Sydenham officially named Kingston as the Capital. It was decided that the vacant hospital building had sufficient space to house Parliament. Interior renovations were undertaken to create large enough rooms to house the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Additionally, office space was provided for the Governor General and other government officials.