[1] The oldest part of the building (the George Street wing) was constructed in 1863 under the ownership of James Skead, a local businessman, and Edward Griffen.

After numerous scandals, including the alleged assault of Mills' daughter by F. A. Martin, MPP for Ste.

Soon after its purchase, the building hosted the inaugural exhibit of the Canadian Academy of Arts in March 1880.

Later that year, the building was retrofitted to serve as the offices and museum of what was then called the Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada.

The building was later renovated to accommodate the federal Department of Mines, and a new laboratory was added to the George Street wing in 1917.