Province House

Description:

• Canada's oldest seat of government, Province House has been home to the Nova Scotian legislature since 1819. This exceptional Georgian building is a superb example of the rigorously symmetrical Palladian style. And like a jewel box, its dour stone exterior hides gems of ornamental detailing and artwork inside, especially the fine plasterwork, rare for a Canadian building of this era.

  A well-written free booklet is available when you enter that provides helpful background about the building's history and architecture. (My favorite legend: It's said the headless falcons in several rooms were decapitated by an agitated, free-swinging legislator with a cane who mistook them for eagles during a period of feverish anti-American sentiment in the 1840s.) If the legislature is in session, you can obtain a visitor's pass and sit up in the gallery and watch the business of the province take place. History buffs should allow an hour for this visit.

• © Frommer's 2012