Old Government House, Official residence in Brisbane, Australia.
Old Government House is a two-storey Neoclassical building at Gardens Point, Brisbane, designed by Charles Tiffin and completed in 1862. Its front half held the Governor's public and private rooms, while the rear housed service areas. The facades are sandstone, with Brisbane tuff to the service areas, and the front is deliberately plain.
The building was designed by architect Charles Tiffin and completed in 1862 as the official residence of Queensland's governors. It served eleven governors over more than four decades before the residence function came to an end in 1909.
The first public event here was a ball on 16 June 1862 for Queen Victoria's birthday, hosted by Sir George and Lady Diamantina Bowen for 300 to 400 guests. Dancing, card games and supper in the quadrangle under a canvas roof continued until 4 am. Lady Bowen worked with Walter Hill, curator of the adjacent Botanic Gardens, on public events that extended into the gardens.
Old Government House sits on the Queensland University of Technology campus in central Brisbane and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. It is worth checking ahead whether the building is closed for special events or whether guided tours require a booking.
The first public event at the house was a ball on 16 June 1862 for Queen Victoria's birthday, postponed from May because of mourning for Prince Albert. Sir George and Lady Diamantina Bowen received 300 to 400 guests, with supper served at 1 am in the quadrangle under a canvas roof hung with candles and Chinese lanterns.
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