George Washington, the first president of The United States of America, visited Barbados on November 2nd 1751 with his half brother Lawrence. Lawrence was dying from tuberculosis and they hoped the tropical climate and the excellent doctors of 18th century Barbados would improve his health.
At this time there were 3 major cities in the developed world, these were London, Boston and Bridgetown. The port of Bridgetown was one of the busiest in the world, and being an English colony meant that many an adventurer set off from here.
The first colonies in the states were set up in South Carolina by travelers from Barbados, meaning many Americans can trace their roots back to Barbados.
George Washington actually had family connections here and so enjoyed dining with the island's most elite families.
Historians have deliberated over the exact location of the house in which George and Lawrence stayed for 2 months whilst on the island, and after careful examination of his diaries from that period they have confirmed the site to be that of Bush Hill House, on the Garrison ridge, within the historical Garrison Savannah.
They rented the house for 2 months for 30 pounds, which George Washington noted in his diary as expensive! The house overlooked Carlisle Bay and we know that George Washington was rather enchanted with the island.
During his 2-month stay George Washington contracted smallpox, and after successful treatment made a full recovery before returning to Virginia on 22 December 1751. Having contracted the disease, he now had immunity to it, which saved his life and the future of America during the Revolutionary War as the forces were wiped out through an epidemic of smallpox.
In honour of this great president, a major refurbishment programme is now underway to restore the house to it's former glory and to see how it would have looked when George Washington stayed there. It is the only house outside of the United States that he ever resided in, and so therefore is of huge historical importance to both the heritage of Barbados and the United States.
The house is set in a beautiful tropical garden, which promises to be worth a visit alone, on entering the house visitors will be shown a short film - George Washington in Barbados, then there will be a guided tour around the house, which will feature period furniture of that time. The upper floor will be a museum dedicated to the memory of George Washington, his time in Barbados and relevant information about the close family ties between Barbados and the US. There will also be a genealogy section for visitors to see if they can trace their roots. The 18th century stables are being converted into a gift shop and there will be a café for refreshments.
The project should be complete by January 2007 and aims to not only strengthen relations between Barbados and the US but to also add heritage to the tourism product.
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