Constructed in 1882, this wooden house stands on the western edge of Odell Avenue, nestled in the southeastern quadrant of Wilmot Park in Fredericton. Originally, it occupied a spot near the entrance of the Old Government House, just across from Wilmot Park, but in 1918, it was relocated to its current site.

The house holds historical significance not only as the Gatehouse for the Government House but also for its later role as the Wilmot Park Caretaker’s Cottage.

In 1882, John Stewart Jarvis, tasked with overseeing the Government House grounds, moved into this freshly built gatehouse with his family. Despite the Government House being officially shut down in 1893, Mr. Jarvis continued living there for another two decades. After he left, the gatehouse remained unoccupied for five years on the Government House site.

However, this once-deserted gatehouse was given a fresh purpose when it was moved to Wilmot Park from its original location at the Old Government House. Recognizing the need for more security during the night, the Wilmot Park Board decided the park’s caretaker needed to reside on-site. Instead of building a new house, they chose to repurpose the now-empty former gatehouse. Thus, in the autumn of 1918, this structure was brought to Wilmot Park, marking its significance as a caretaker’s abode in two distinct locations.

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