Government House

1832

Alwington Place just south of King St., Kingston

Commemoration

Alwington House, which stood on this site, was completed in 1832 by Charles W. Grant, fifth baron of Longueuil. It was enlarged in 1841 to serve as the vice-regal residence during the period when Kingston was the capital of the united Province of Canada. Three governors general, Lord Sydenham, Sir Charles Bagot and Sir Charles Metcalfe, occupied the house. When the capital was removed to Montreal in 1844, Alwington was returned to Baron Longueuil. It was subsequently occupied by the Reverend J.A. Allen, author of scientific works and father of the Canadian novelist Grant Allen. Badly damaged by fire in 1958, it was demolished the following year.

Background

Grant, born in 1782, was an officer of the Boucherville militia in the War of 1812. He was captured by the Americans. He returned to inherit his father’s title and died in 1848 at the house that once stood here.

Sir Charles Metcalfe was born in 1785 and was a British colonial administrator. He served in Jamaica and British North America. For his efforts he was made a baronet.