Two years later, additional structures were built nearby, and the building was acquired by the Russian government as a residence for the Kovno Governor.

During World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm II briefly stayed in the palace in 1915 while visiting the Eastern front.

In the face of imminent Soviet occupation, the Last Meeting of the government of Lithuania took place here on the night from June 14 to 15 of 1940.

[2] During Soviet rule, the palace underwent further alterations and the size of the garden was reduced, while some adjacent buildings were demolished.

Soon afterward, three statues of the interwar presidents of Lithuania were erected in the palace garden, Antanas Smetona, Aleksandras Stulginskis, and Kazys Grinius.

[5] A recent exposition featured unique historical items from the collection of ambassador Kazys Lozoraitis.