Castellani House was designed and built in by
Cesar Castellani, who was one of the most prominent and prolific architects of the colonial era in
British Guiana. It was originally designed as a residence for the government
botanist,
George Samuel Jenman. Dissatisfied with the original design of the house, Jenman refused to move into the residence until the changes he demanded had been implemented. These changes were completed in 1882, and Jenman moved into the house in that year. After Jenman died, Castellani House was used as the official residence for Directors of Agriculture.
State House replaced it as the president's residence in the 1990s. After a major refurbishment, Castellani House was re-opened as the home of the National Art Gallery in 1993. The Gallery's first curator was Everley Austin (1994-1996). Austin was followed by Elfrieda Bissember (1996–present). ==Art collection==