the bvi welcome - 2003
A National Treasure
The Old Government House stands tall and stately on a knoll above Road Harbour, an elegant reminder of a time when the rhythm of existence was slower, when there was pomp and ceremony to official life and architecture was touched with Victorian grace and elegance.
For over seventy years, Government House was the residence of the officials appointed by Britain to administer this small territory which came under British rule in 1672. Variously called administrators, presidents, commissioners and governors, these officials acted as a liaison between the Leeward Islands Federation, which administered Britain's Caribbean colonies from Antigua, and later, when the Federation was dissolved, with Britain directly.
The Old Government House stands tall and stately on a knoll above Road Harbour, an elegant reminder of a time when the rhythm of existence was slower, when there was pomp and ceremony to official life and architecture was touched with Victorian grace and elegance.
For over seventy years, Government House was the residence of the officials appointed by Britain to administer this small territory which came under British rule in 1672. Variously called administrators, presidents, commissioners and governors, these officials acted as a liaison between the Leeward Islands Federation, which administered Britain's Caribbean colonies from Antigua, and later, when the Federation was dissolved, with Britain directly.
Closed for renovations and repair in 1996, the home was reopened late last year as a historical site where visitors can experience life in the B.V.I. as it once was. Through either a self-guided tour or with the assistance of Luana Pierre, the home's knowledgeable shop keeper and guide, visitors can get an up-close look at an early 20th century governor's residence and the site of several royal visits. Life in the B.V.I. has never been grand. The island was not one of Britain's largest colonies, nor one of its richest. Governors, like many of its residents, lived relatively modestly. Prior to 1899, the B.V.I.'s governors resided on their own estates or in leased homes. In 1899 though, the time had come to give the B.V.I.'s highest official a residence of his own and a suitable building was purchased. Situated on a small hill overlooking Road Harbour the home was constructed of masonry and wood and although not lavish, it served the purpose of comfortably housing the administrator of one of Britain's smallest Caribbean territories. In 1924 disaster struck: the house along with many other of the islands' buildings was destroyed in a hurricane, one of the worst the Territory had seen. A harrowing account of the storm, written by the then administrator's wife, is on display at the Old Government House museum (It can also be found on this site in the History Section under 1924 Hurricane).
A new house designed to weather the area's capricious weather was needed, and although the masonry part of the original building was incorporated into the lower floor, the house was made larger and more elegant. The new Government House, opened in 1926, had two-foot-thick masonry walls, heavy wooden shutters, a graceful entranceway, arched porticoes and a large meandering garden.
According to Rita Georges, a B.V.I. sociologist and wife of the Deputy Governor, Elton Georges, who has conducted extensive research for a book she plans to write on Government House and its importance within British Virgin Islands society, "Though small by some standards and not the most luxurious home on the islands, this house symbolically and historically holds a position of national treasure." Government House she adds, "has had a hollowed presence for some, been an unreachable place for others and a happy and pleasant place to pass the evening for lots of residents and visitors."
Over the years, Government House buzzed with activity. Official functions were held here often. One of the highlights for many residents was the garden party held each year on the property's tennis court. Princess Margaret stayed at Government House during her visit in 1972 and Queen Elizabeth visited twice, once in 1966 and later in 1977 when she held an investiture on the terrace. The Queen's signature, along with that of the Queen Mother, who visited the house in 1964, can be found in the home's guest book on display in the museum. Other members of the Royal family including Prince Philip and Prince Andrew have also passed through the doors of Government House.
Time though, wasn't kind to Government House, which by 1996 required extensive repair and modernization. The governor was temporarily moved to an estate on Beef Island and plans to replace the old house with a new residence were drawn up – a move opposed by many members of the community who lobbied successfully to save this historic landmark. In time, a board of community members was established to oversee its renovation and eventual use as a historic home open to the public. The new governor's residence, traditional in design, but modern in facilities, would instead be constructed adjacent to the old one along with a reception area between the two buildings, symbolically linking the past to the present.
"It's an integral part of the B.V.I.'s history. It is one of the places in the B.V.I. where British Virgin Islanders and residents met socially." says Hugh Whistler, a B.V.I. contractor who was among those who lobbied to save the building and later became the renovation's project manager. Maintaining the building's integrity was key for this former Royal Engineer and pains were taken to change as little as possible inside or out.
He and the Government House board are also hoping to maintain the home's original feel when it comes to interior decor. "We are trying for an eclectic look as you imagined it would have been earlier in the century," explains Jillian Dunlop, a long-time B.V.I. resident, who has been responsible for much of the home's re-decoration. The house's furnishings, acquired from the West Indies and Europe, include pieces that range from the late 19th century to the 1930s. "We are using the type of furnishings that would likely have appeared in a house of this sort," emphasizes Jillian. "We are looking for the 'lived in' look of a working government house."
Among the pieces on display are an 1890 to 1900 sideboard popularly known as a "wagon" which probably originated from Grenada; two Irish inlaid mahogany carver chairs dating from between 1860 to 1890; two dark green Lloyd Loom chairs from the 1930s and a two-tier mahogany serving trolley with brass grip handles from about 1900. Other pieces of china, and serving platters also date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Funds for much of the furniture have been donated by residents and other supporters, while other pieces have been either donated outright or been given on permanent loan. Freddy Freeman, of the Josiah's Bay Plantation museum and shop was among those who temporarily helped out with pieces from his collection.
The dining room has always been a favourite of recent visitors to Government House. Margaret Barwick, an artist and the wife of Governor David Barwick who resided in Government House from 1982 to 1986, painted a series of beautifully rendered murals on the dining room walls depicting scenes from 19th century B.V.I. life. The dining table at the room's centre was shipped in for Princess Margaret's visit in 1972. An avid gardener, Mrs. Barwick also re-landscaped the grounds, making Government House the site of one of the B.V.I.'s most impressive gardens, which like the rest of the home, is open to the public.
The house also contains a small museum. Located in the pre-1926 structure, it contains artifacts from B.V.I. life, old photos and press clippings and memorabilia from Government House including the guest book with the late Queen Mother's signature, “Elizabeth R”, and the official uniform of Governor Frank Savage, the governor from 1998 to 2002.
The shop at the entrance of the building contains West Indian maps, prints and pottery with Caribbean motifs among other items. A cafe on the back terrace, which will serve tea, coffee and light refreshments is planned for season.
Government House is open for tours from 9 am to 2 pm Monday to Saturday and it is suggested that visitors allow a minimum of 45 minutes in order to fully savour this slice of life from a by-gone page in B.V.I. history.
A new house designed to weather the area's capricious weather was needed, and although the masonry part of the original building was incorporated into the lower floor, the house was made larger and more elegant. The new Government House, opened in 1926, had two-foot-thick masonry walls, heavy wooden shutters, a graceful entranceway, arched porticoes and a large meandering garden.
According to Rita Georges, a B.V.I. sociologist and wife of the Deputy Governor, Elton Georges, who has conducted extensive research for a book she plans to write on Government House and its importance within British Virgin Islands society, "Though small by some standards and not the most luxurious home on the islands, this house symbolically and historically holds a position of national treasure." Government House she adds, "has had a hollowed presence for some, been an unreachable place for others and a happy and pleasant place to pass the evening for lots of residents and visitors."
Over the years, Government House buzzed with activity. Official functions were held here often. One of the highlights for many residents was the garden party held each year on the property's tennis court. Princess Margaret stayed at Government House during her visit in 1972 and Queen Elizabeth visited twice, once in 1966 and later in 1977 when she held an investiture on the terrace. The Queen's signature, along with that of the Queen Mother, who visited the house in 1964, can be found in the home's guest book on display in the museum. Other members of the Royal family including Prince Philip and Prince Andrew have also passed through the doors of Government House.
Time though, wasn't kind to Government House, which by 1996 required extensive repair and modernization. The governor was temporarily moved to an estate on Beef Island and plans to replace the old house with a new residence were drawn up – a move opposed by many members of the community who lobbied successfully to save this historic landmark. In time, a board of community members was established to oversee its renovation and eventual use as a historic home open to the public. The new governor's residence, traditional in design, but modern in facilities, would instead be constructed adjacent to the old one along with a reception area between the two buildings, symbolically linking the past to the present.
"It's an integral part of the B.V.I.'s history. It is one of the places in the B.V.I. where British Virgin Islanders and residents met socially." says Hugh Whistler, a B.V.I. contractor who was among those who lobbied to save the building and later became the renovation's project manager. Maintaining the building's integrity was key for this former Royal Engineer and pains were taken to change as little as possible inside or out.
He and the Government House board are also hoping to maintain the home's original feel when it comes to interior decor. "We are trying for an eclectic look as you imagined it would have been earlier in the century," explains Jillian Dunlop, a long-time B.V.I. resident, who has been responsible for much of the home's re-decoration. The house's furnishings, acquired from the West Indies and Europe, include pieces that range from the late 19th century to the 1930s. "We are using the type of furnishings that would likely have appeared in a house of this sort," emphasizes Jillian. "We are looking for the 'lived in' look of a working government house."
Among the pieces on display are an 1890 to 1900 sideboard popularly known as a "wagon" which probably originated from Grenada; two Irish inlaid mahogany carver chairs dating from between 1860 to 1890; two dark green Lloyd Loom chairs from the 1930s and a two-tier mahogany serving trolley with brass grip handles from about 1900. Other pieces of china, and serving platters also date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Funds for much of the furniture have been donated by residents and other supporters, while other pieces have been either donated outright or been given on permanent loan. Freddy Freeman, of the Josiah's Bay Plantation museum and shop was among those who temporarily helped out with pieces from his collection.
The dining room has always been a favourite of recent visitors to Government House. Margaret Barwick, an artist and the wife of Governor David Barwick who resided in Government House from 1982 to 1986, painted a series of beautifully rendered murals on the dining room walls depicting scenes from 19th century B.V.I. life. The dining table at the room's centre was shipped in for Princess Margaret's visit in 1972. An avid gardener, Mrs. Barwick also re-landscaped the grounds, making Government House the site of one of the B.V.I.'s most impressive gardens, which like the rest of the home, is open to the public.
The house also contains a small museum. Located in the pre-1926 structure, it contains artifacts from B.V.I. life, old photos and press clippings and memorabilia from Government House including the guest book with the late Queen Mother's signature, “Elizabeth R”, and the official uniform of Governor Frank Savage, the governor from 1998 to 2002.
The shop at the entrance of the building contains West Indian maps, prints and pottery with Caribbean motifs among other items. A cafe on the back terrace, which will serve tea, coffee and light refreshments is planned for season.
Government House is open for tours from 9 am to 2 pm Monday to Saturday and it is suggested that visitors allow a minimum of 45 minutes in order to fully savour this slice of life from a by-gone page in B.V.I. history.