Now the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas, Government House is a popular and picturesque historic attraction, and recognized as one of the foremost examples of Georgian Colonial architecture in the Islands.

The Past

Located on ten-acre estate on Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House dates back to 1737 when it was originally built as a home for Governor Richard Fitzwilliam. A new building was constructed in 1806, measuring over 100 feet in length with upper balcony that spanned from end to end, with a statue of Christopher Columbus added to the front of the house in 1830. For approximately the next 100 years, Government House was home to the Governors of The Bahamas until 1929 when the entire house was destroyed.

The Present

The destruction of the original Government House led to a new mansion being built and completed in 1932. It features graceful columns and a large circular drive reminiscent of the American Deep South—although the brilliantly colored pink building and white louvered shutters are very distinctly Bahamian—while the interior remains the same as when it was redecorated by the Duchess of Windsor, following the Duke of Windsor’s arrival in Nassau as Governor (1940-1945). Today, Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas and is renowned for its beautiful views of Nassau Harbour.