EDITORIAL: Stop pushing down history
Amazingly, Barbados was fortunate to have a UNESCO World Heritage designation but yet we continue to destroy the very historical buildings that tell our story.
It is evident that as Barbados moves towards a path of a republic that we safeguard the symbols of our past through more stringent policies and restoration laws.
If Barbadians and visitors were to take a walk through Bridgetown, they may find a few signposts with the names of prominent people who shaped and transformed the City. But aside from a name, there is little else to remember.
The people transforming the City should leave little nuggets of information on the sidewalk, along special boats passing through the Careenage, specific locations on the Boardwalk on the digital boards on Broad Street to educate visitors about the town's history. But this is not the case.
The City still does not have enough signage for able and differently able people or those who speak a foreign language to navigate the busy area. Where are the markets, the parks and shopping malls? Where are the official taxi stands and immigration offices? What if a visitor wanted to seek medical treatment where can they go? Restaurants are everywhere but how do you find that one vegan shop or health store? We can do better. Also, it does not help that every building is being pushed down to make a car park.
In Dr. Henry Fraser and Ronnie Hughes’ book, “Historic Houses of Barbados”, a 19th-century structure known as “The Grotto” was mentioned. It was once the family home of one of the Barbados Advocate founders, Charles Lynch Chenery. He was the lead writer of the Advocate and the house was purchased for £458 in 1907 until it was sold.
This bit of history is gone, nothing more than a lot along River Road. The same can be said for another unique Barbadian architectural example, “Three Sisters” along Bay Street. It is nothing more than a windowless façade blocking the sea.
Our Government should have protected the homes of Samuel Jackman Prescod, Roland Edwards and other notable pioneers and nation-builders. Many of these structures and other historical buildings have fallen to decay or they suffered the consequences of fire. Mason Hall Street and the first boys' school, places that were home to an ice factory are other areas that are no longer there. Broad Street has also made several changes along with Trafalgar Square now known as Heroes' Square. How do we plan to capture the memories of the past if we continue to push our history to the ground?
A few years ago, there was the controversy of ongoing construction on an old building near James Street which changed the special architectural characters and ultimately destroyed its heritage.
Barbados still has a lot of existing history in the urban and rural communities. It is seen in our corner and rum shops, in our morning routines, in our churches, schools and in the homes that we live.
A person does not have to leave Bridgetown to see the iconic chattel house, some buildings in Belleville, Pine Road and Chelsea Road still maintain the characteristics of buildings of the past.
The Barbados National Trust need more support to help it to continue its work. Buildings of national significance need maintenance, they need people to be on location. Barbados is a major tourist destination and more effort is needed to incorporate the creative industry and history found in our architecture and places of interest. We cannot continue to destroy the symbols of our identity and past.