Government House, Nassau

Government House is the Governor General's official residence and is one of Nassau's most stunning examples of Georgian Colonial architecture.

The beautiful house is painted conch-pink, and four Ionic columns support its entrance. The architecture shows a mix of American and Bahamian British styles. The wood shutters and bright pink paint are examples of Bahamian influence. The columns and circular driveway are examples of American style brought by Loyalists who arrived in the Bahamas after the Revolutionary War.

The first Government House was built in 1737. Government House is located on the top of Mount Fitzwilliam and overlooks the harbor. The current house was completed in 1806. The 12-foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus was added in 1830.

Government House has been renovated several times. The east wing was added in 1909. A hurricane in 1929 damaged the house, and in the 1930s, the roof, facade, and entrance were replaced.

The Duke of Windsor was the Governor of The Bahamas from 1940 to 1945 and one of Government House's most famous residents. The Duke of Windsor was the former King Edward VIII of Great Britain who famously abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry the divorcee Wallace Simpson.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor ordered many renovations, including the addition of the west wing, known as the Windsor Wing. The Duchess of Windsor added a black glass plaque to the front door. The plaque was shipped from the Windsor's house in France and features the Duke's Order of the Garter.