On this site used to be the only building featured on our website that is no longer with us. Fredericton’s Exhibition Palace was one of the greatest works of wooden architecture that Canada had ever seen. Influenced by London’s Crystal Palace of the Great Exhibition of 1851 with its visible structure and expanses of glass, the local cruciform Palace was designed by architect Matthew Stead for $28,000 in 1864. The dome was 86 feet in diameter and was the largest piece of wooden framework ever raised in the province up to then. Naturally lit by day, evening illumination was from 650 gas-burning fixtures and lamps held aloft by 24 statues. It was consumed by fire in 1877.
Fredericton Heritage Trust is a volunteer-run organization, powered by people who care about our city’s history. Preserving our built and natural heritage isn’t just about the physical structures—it’s about the people and stories that have shaped our landscape. With no paid staff, our work depends on members, donors, and volunteers like you, who give their time and energy. Join us ain advocating for the stories, places, and history that make Fredericton unique.