The Taylor House was built in 1937 by Bill and Aline Taylor and their family. In 2015, it officially became Yukon Government House when the Office of the Commissioner of Yukon moved in. The Commissioner of Yukon is the territory’s Head of State and performs legislative and social duties.

Bill Taylor was the oldest son of Isaac Taylor who founded the Taylor and Drury business with William Drury in 1899. Aline Cyr’s family was one of the first francophone families in Whitehorse. In 1969, the family sold the house to the Yukon Chamber of Mines. Over the years, it was the home to the Yukon Heritage Resources Board and the Arctic Winter Games office. The exterior of the house looks the same as it did when built but the inside has been turned into office space. 

The offices are downstairs and the exhibits are on the second floor. You can see art on loan from the Yukon Permanent Art Collection, the original desk and artefacts from former Commissioner James Smith (1966-1976), including an original portrait from Ted Harrison, the Wall of Translations, the Wall of Commissioners, the current commissioner’s beaded vest and a button blanket created by Keith Wolfe Smarch. There are also annual exhibitions (anniversary of the gold discovery on Bonanza Creek, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, etc.) and a Reference Library. 

Outside, there is a beautiful Platinum Reconciliation Garden (during the summer) and a Little Free Library.

412 Main St
Whitehorse YT Y1A2B7
Canada

Hours:

The office is open 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. 

Taylor House

View Website
Regions: Whitehorse Region Communities: Whitehorse
Categories: Arts Mediums: Beading, Painting, Photography, Textiles and Fibre Art, Traditional Garments
Types: Public Art