Traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations)

1843
Fort Victoria, headquarters of the fur trade, opens

1849
Vancouver Island is created as a separate British Colony

Nov 19, 1858
James Douglas proclaims mainland British Columbia as a separate British Colony

1858
Gold discovered on the Fraser River

1862
Cary loses Cary Castle in foreclosure; purchased by Mrs. Elizabeth Miles

June 3,1865
Governor Kennedy purchases Cary Castle from Mrs Elizabeth Miles for $19,000, stables built, well dug

Nov 19,1866
Vancouver Island joins the mainland of British Columbia

1867
Canada’s confederation establishes the Lieutenant Governor as the crown’s provincial representative

May 25,1868
Victoria proclaimed the capital of the United Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia
Guard house built; croquet lawn installed

1871
Encouraged by Governor Anthony Musgrave British Columbia joins Confederation as the 6th province of Canada

June 22, 1884
baby boy born at Government House – Hugh Allan Cornwall

1898
McInnes dismisses one premier and appoints another

Feb 1900
McInnes dismisses second premier, appoints a third

June 20, 1900
Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier dismisses Lieutenant Governor McInnes for too much political involvement

1903
Government House is reopened. Estimated cost: $44,000; actual cost:$75,000 Wash house built

James Dunsmuir resigns to pursue business interests

1920
Edward Prior dies in Office after surgery complications; body lay in state in the Ballroom 14 December; state funeral with services held at Christ Church Cathedral

1931
Statute of Westminster – Canada becomes a fully sovereign state, but remains in the Commonwealth

1939
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, first reigning British monarchs to visit Government House

1950
Banks resigns post due to business

1957
Lieutenant Governor Ross and Mrs. Ross move to the Empress Hotel until 1959

1958-1959
Lieutenant Governor Ross and Mrs Ross visit United Kingdom to purchase Government House furniture

1992
Friends of Government House Gardens Society founded
Stabilization of the Mews

2003
Government House and grounds declared a National Historic Site
Renovation of the Cary Castle stables