Legislative buildings are the most important public structures in the provincial capitals of Halifax, Charlottetown and Fredericton. Each was built to communicate ideals, ideas and arrangements of government unique to these three provinces. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, these buildings were built to house colonial governments where a popular assembly was matched with an appointed council of local notables, advising an all-powerful governor appointed by Westminister and representing the British crown. Over the years they have been modified as the structure of provincial governments have changed to a single elected legislative assembly with full provincial powers. Frederictons legislature, built in 1882, is a bold and beautiful building with unmatched interior features.
This book tells the fascinating story of why each building was designed as it was, and the styles and ideas their designers drew upon. Author James Macnutt takes the reader on a tour of all three buildings, with text and visuals highlighting their many features and details.

James W. Macnutt is the author of Heritage Houses of Prince Edward Island, Inside Island Heritage Homes, The Historical Atlas of Prince Edward Island, and Building for Democracy and he is the author of several journal articles on architectural history. He is the author of a chapter on the architecture of legislative buildings located in member states of the commonwealth of nations, written for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in a book published in 2011 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the association. At the request of the National Assembly of Quebec, in conjunction with its 125th anniversary, he prepared a comparative analysis of the Quebec National Assembly building with that of the Province of New Brunswick, specifically how the Second Empire style of architecture used in the National Assembly contrasted with that used in the Legislative Building of New Brunswick. 

James MacNutt's profile page

Engaging and readable, this book will appeal to the general public and students. It includes a helpful glossary of architectural terms, floor plans and elevations by Philip Jefferson, and an extensive bibliography and index.

Heritage Magazine