History of The President’s House

The President’s House was constructed on land that was once part of a sugar plantation known as Paradise Estate. In the early nineteenth century, Governor Sir Ralph Woodford purchased the land and converted the existing estate Great House into the Governor’s residence. After a fire severely damaged the building in 1867, a smaller structure on the grounds, known as The Cottage, was used to house Governors. By the 1870s, Trinidad was experiencing a period of prosperity and a decision was taken to build a fitting residence for the Governor. The foundation stone for the new Governor’s House was laid by then-Governor James Robert Longden in 1873 and the building designed by James Ferguson, a noted Scottish architectural writer. The building was completed in 1876 and the first Governor to live there was Sir Henry Irving.

The President’s House has seen many name changes over the years, in keeping with the evolution of our national identity. Originally known as The Governor’s residence or Government House, it housed governors of the colony until 1958 when it became the residence of the Governor-General of the West Indian Federation. After the dissolution of the Federation in 1962, the House was used briefly as a museum and art gallery.

On 31 August 1962, Trinidad and Tobago achieved its independence and the building became the official residence of the Gover nor General. Sir Solomon Hochoy, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Governor General later moved into the refurbished building. Upon attaining Republican status in 1976, exactly 100 years after its first opening, the building became known as The President’s House, with Sir Ellis Clarke becoming our first President.

The President’s House

The President’s House is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The House serves as a venue for functions of national significance such as the National Awards ceremony, diplomatic receptions, swearing-in ceremonies and the presentation of credentials by foreign envoys.

  • The Ballroom hosts large functions and events, while the Dining Room is traditionally used for formal dinners. The Sitting Room is where guests wait before the start of their engagements with the President.
  • The Credentials or Morning Room is utilised for several important functions:
    • The Presentation of Credentials ceremony, during which Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate formally present their Letters of Credence to the President;
    • Swearing-in ceremonies, during which persons are appointed to certain offices by the President; and
    • Courtesy calls during which persons, often of standing, pay an official visit to the President.
  • Other notable rooms in the House include:
    • The Bamboo Room, which features bamboo furniture and provides a spectacular view of the grounds. 
    • The Historical Bedroom which showcases genuine West Indian/Trinidadian antique furniture, including a 19th century mahogany West Indian Four-Poster bed.

The Grounds

The grounds of the President’s House are replete with a variety of wildlife and comprise a variety of trees and vegetation, some of which were planted or gifted by royalty and foreign dignitaries.

Distinguished Visitors

Many distinguished people have visited The President’s House over the years, among them H.R.H. Princess Margaret, H.R.H. Princess Alice, H.R.H. the Princess Royal and Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip.

In 2023, the Asantehene, King of the Asante peoples, paid a courtesy visit to Their Excellencies at The President’s House during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

Original Design

The original Governor’s House was built mainly from iron and steel superstructures with local blue limestone taken from the Piccadilly and Laventille quarries. The roof was made of Welsh Duchess slate, while the railings and columns were designed in the Victorian style. The doorways and loggias were done in the Italianate style.

The building overlooks Port of Spain – a symbolic and scenic feature. The surrounding gardens were originally planted with flowers and plants from around the world, a proud tradition that continues today.

Restoration

In 2007, an earthquake severely damaged The President’s House and in 2010 a large section of the top floor collapsed. The western façade of the building, the second floor and the ground floor of the ballroom were completely destroyed and there was severe damage to the south balcony. A steel structure was erected above the building to protect it from further damage.

An entirely new structural system had to be built to ensure safety. An earthquake in August 2018 exacerbated the existing damage, and all the walls on the first floor had to be demolished and reconstructed as a result.

The restoration of The President’s House entailed a full new structure, a new steel roof with a slate finish, all new services, new floors, walls and ceilings and interior finishes. Internal layouts were totally changed and all the walls, floors and mouldings of the building are completely new.

For the interior of the House, the contractors, architects and designers tried to maintain its historical integrity, recreating and restoring finishes, including flooring, ceilings, mouldings and even tiling reminiscent of the house’s former glory.

The present structure, architecture and furniture are in the British West Indian style and feature interesting elements such as an historical bedroom containing furniture well over 100 years old, a valuable hand-made Turkish rug, and chandeliers that mimic the antiques from the period in which the house was first constructed.

The Cottage

Over the years, more than one building on the grounds of The President’s House has been known as ‘the Cottage’. The original Cottage was a rambling, low-lying collection of buildings located behind the current site of The President’s House. All that remains of that Cottage are the old stables, now the garage, atop which is mounted a clock dated 1821.

While The President’s House was under restoration, the present-day Cottage served as a residence for Presidents George Maxwell Richards and Anthony Carmona and their families. During this period, the Cottage also hosted several important ceremonies and events.

Fun Facts

  • There is a wallaby named Digger buried on the grounds of the Office of the President. The wallaby was brought to Trinidad from Australia by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1920. It died aboard the ship the HMS Renown. HRH The Prince of Wales became King Edward VII after the death of his father, King George V, in January 1936.
  • The President’s Standard is the personal standard of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and is flown on the official residence and vehicle. This Standard can only be used by the President. The President’s Standard is royal blue with a gold Coat of Arms surrounded by laurels in the centre.
  • On display in the Dining Room of The President’s House is Spode’s Blue Room collection, an 18th century series featuring floral motifs as well as famous places and scenery. Also showcased in both the Dining Room and the Ballroom is crockery gifted by the late Queen Elizabeth II to Trinidad and Tobago, and bearing the insignia EIIR (Elizabeth Regina).
  • The Turkish Ambassador was the first to present his credentials to then-President Paula-Mae Weekes after the restoration of the President’s House.
  • The first dignitary to pay a Courtesy Call on the President in the newly renovated President’s House was the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.
  • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, along with Their Excellencies Sir Solomon and Lady Hochoy, stood on the balcony of The President’s House in 1966 to witness carnival celebrations which were staged specifically for the visiting royal guests.
  • Palmiste Palms line the driveway of Post I, forming a beautiful tropical ‘guard of honour’ for the President and other dignitaries as they come and go. The bottoms of their trunks are painted white, which is often done to protect the bark from damage by extreme weather and pests. 

The President’s House, Tobago

The President’s House in Tobago, as it is now called, is located at Mt. William. The site was named after Governor Sir William Young, the first occupant of the original Governor’s House built at that location following his arrival in Tobago in 1807.

The current building was completed in 1828, replacing the earlier wooden structure occupied by Governor Young. Major General Blackwell became the first resident of the new house. Constructed from brick and stone, this more durable building has withstood the test of time, surviving major hurricanes in 1847 and 1963 with only minor modifications.

The Governors of Tobago resided there until 1899 when the island became part of the colony of Trinidad and Tobago. Afterwards, it was occupied by Governors resident in Trinidad and only at such time as they visited the island. Buried on the grounds of the President’s House at Mt. William are the three children of Governor Sir Frederick Robinson who succumbed to the yellow fever epidemic which swept the island in the years 1819 and 1820.

With the advent of the Federation of the West Indies (1958 to 1961), the Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Edward Beetham occupied Government House in Tobago. The Government House in Port-of-Spain, as it was called at that time, had been converted into a Federal Museum and Art Gallery.

Tours of The President’s House

Her Excellency Christine C. Kangaloo O.R.T.T. is pleased to welcome schools, camps, other educational institutions, religious groups, senior citizens groups, NGOs and other organisations to participate in guided tours of The President’s House and grounds.

Booking a Tour of The President’s House and grounds

Tours are available by appointment only.

To request a tour, kindly contact the Office of the President by:

📞 Calling (868) 225-4687, extensions 112 or 147
📧 Emailing the Office of the President at: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt
✉️ Submitting a formal request by letter or email

Group Size:

  • Primary schools & other groups:
    Up to 30 children and 3 teachers

  • Secondary schools:
    Up to 40 students and 3 teachers

Tour Times:

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm (Subject to availability)

For further details or assistance, please contact the Office of the President at (868) 225-4687.