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Barbados Open House Tours 2012
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Visit some of the Historic Barbados Open House Tours and discover more about the diverse architecture and history of Barbados houses.
The Barbados National Trust Open House Calendar 2012
January 18th - March 28th, 2012
Every Wednesday, 2:30pm - 5:30pm
About the Speakers:
» Peter Stevens serves as a VP of both the Barbados National Trust and the barbados Garrison Historical Consortium.
» Dr. Henry Fraser, a past president of the Barbados National Trust, is the author of Historic Houses of Barbados and Treasures of Barbados.
» Dr. Karl Watson, the Trust's current president, is the editor of the Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, and author of the forthcoming book, History of the Sephardic Jews of Barbados.
Both men have credits too numerous to mention. All three bring places and their pasts alive
Spend an afternoon enjoying these lovely homes and gardens.
» January 18th, 2012
St. Ann's Fort, Drill Hall and Cannon, The Garrison, St. Michael
Along with historic Bridgetown, St. Ann's Garrison was recently awarded World Heritage status. Wonder why? Today's tour tells you, with expert live commentary during a drive around the area. Gain entry to the 1707 fort and hear what makes the cannon collection important and unique. Learn what purposes the Garrison buildings served, and the role the outpost played in securing the region for the British Empire. It's fascinating.
Directions: From Bridgetown, go south on Bay Street to the Garrison and watch for out signs. From the ABC Highway, turn due sough at the Garfield Sobers roundabout, come down Rendezvous Hill towards Worthing, and turn right at the bottom, About a mile later, look for the bright blue Hastings Police Station. Enter there for parking. You may also park at the Garrison. Do NOT try to enter via the Defense Force gate.
» January 25th, 2012
Arawidi, Apes Hill, St. James
Apes Hill Club has been developed as a prestigious lifestyle community in beautiful natural surroundings. Located within this beautiful development, Moonshine Ridge's stunning show home, 'Arawidi', takes Bajan architecture to a new level whilst offering spectacular views of the island's beauty and Caribbean Sea. This spacious, luxury home is also of the highest specification. The drive alone is half the pleasure! Can't come today? A second visit is offered on February 29th.
Directions: Heading north on Highway 2A, pass the big St. Thomas roundabout. Opposite the left turn to Westmoreland, turn right towards Waterhall and Apes hill. From the west coast, turn inland at Porters towards Royal Westmoreland. Go up to Highway 2A and go straigt across it. Continue on to Apes Hill. Look for Open House Signs.
SUNDAY SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE
» Sunday January 29th, 2012
The Synagogue and the Nidhe Israel Museum, Bridgetown, St. Michael
By 1654, the Sephardic Jews of Barbados had consecrated Nidhe Israel, one of the two earliest temples in the Western Hemisphere. This architectural jewel shares a walled urban sanctuary with a stylish and engaging museum, an intriguing cemetery, and a spring-fed mikvah (ritual bath) whose recent discovery 12 feet underground is of tremendous historical importance. The whole atmosphere is mystical.
Directions: Take High Street, which runs beside Parliament, turn left on James Street and follow our signs. Parking is opposite the Central police Station on James Street.
» February 1st, 2012
Holders House, St. James
Once the plantation house of the vast Black Rock Estate, Holders is most famous today as the venue for the Holders Season, an elegant annual festival of music and theatre in the natural amphitheatre of its garden. The house itself is a historic, traditional plantation house. Beautifully furnished in a combination of antique and modern styles, it reflects the personality and flair of a creative and dynamic family.
Directions: From Highway 1, turn inland up Holders Hill and pass the entrance to the polo pitch on your left. Holders entrance is next on the left.
» February 9th, 2012
Colleton House, St. Peter
So nice, we're doing it twice! (March 9th too). Established in the mid 17th Century, Colleton is an exemplar of Barbados' rich and tangled history. Most recently it was the home of an extraordinary geologist whose art collection spans the diverse cultures he encountered. This is a rare opportunity to see it, and to reflect on the impact of two remarkable men who owned Colleton House. We thank Realtors for arranging the date.
Directions: Choose your favourite route to Speightstown and then go north on Highway 1B. After Six Mens village, the road swings uphill and to the right. Stay on it and look for parking signs. We'll bus you in from there. There is very limited parking at the house.
» February 15th, 2012
Manager's House, Jordan's Plantation, St. George
Sometimes obscurity wonderful surprises. This may be the case at Jordan's Manager's House. Probably built as the plantation's sugar curing house in the 17th century, it is now a roomy, unusual, and welcoming home furnished with antiques, wonderful clocks, and a sense of humour. The grounds contain magnificent trees, a kitchen garden, and structures from a bygone era.
Directions: From the ABC Highway, turn East at the Norman Niles roundabout onto Highway 4. At the tiny roundabout, keep left and pass the St. George Secondary School. At the T junction, go right on 4B, and start looking on the left for the turnoff to Jordans soon after.
» February 22nd, 2012
Pandanus, St. James
It is the landscaping or its position on the lip of a verdant chasm that gives this 21st century "Caribbean colonial" such a dramatic setting? Inside, all is comfort, tranquility and taste, with generous proportions and design details to savour. It's the holiday home of Lord David Evans, whom we thank along for Realtors for opening.
Directions: Going north on Highway 2A, take the first left turn after Bakers Woods (towards Mullins). From Highway 1B (the west coast road) turn inland at Mulins and go uphill into cane fields. In both cases, watch for Open House signs saying where to turn off that road.
» February 29th, 2012
Arawidi, Apes Hill, St. James
Apes Hill Club has been developed as a prestigious lifestyle community in beautiful natural surroundings. Located within this beautiful development, Moonshine Ridge's stunning show home, 'Arawidi', takes Bajan architecture to a new level whilst offering spectacular views of the island's beauty and Caribbean Sea. This spacious, luxury home is also of the highest specification. The drive alone is half the pleasure!
Directions: Heading north on Highway 2A, pass the big St. Thomas roundabout. Opposite the left turn to Westmoreland, turn right towards Waterhall and Apes hill. From the west coast, turn inland at Porters towards Royal Westmoreland. Go up to Highway 2A and go straigt across it. Continue on to Apes Hill. Look for Open House Signs.
» March 9th, 2012
Colleton House, St. Peter
So nice, we're doing it twice! The central gem may be slightly scuffed, but the surround is so stunning that it doesn't matter. Established in the mid 17th Century, Colleton is an exemplar of Barbados' rich and tangled history. Most recently it was the home of an extraordinary geologist whose jaw-dropping art collection spans the diverse cultures he encountered. This is a rare opportunity to see it, and to reflect on the impact of two remarkable men who owned Colleton House. We thank Realtors for arranging our visits.
Directions: Choose your favourite route to Speightstown and then go north on Highway 1B. After Six Mens village, the road swings uphill and to the right. Stay on it and look for parking signs. We'll bus you in from there. There is very limited parking at the house.
» March 14th, 2012
Beauchamp Hall, St. John
This is the second opening for Beauchamp Hall. It was first opened in 2003. Built in the 1980"s in an uninspired plantation style, the new owners, the Kaufmanns' renovated and re-designed the house first in the 1990's and later to accommodate a more modern and social lifestyle. More bathrooms were added, outdoor living spaces created to include a pool, and the whole is complimented by dramatic landscaping. Beauchamp Hall is now fully re-designed into a very comfortable living space.
There is an album of captivating photographs documenting the transformation. Come, experience the astonishing views and be revitalized by the garden, the breeze and the ambience!
Directions: Beauchamp Hall
Beauchamp Hall is located at Moncrieffe, St. John near the St. Philip border. From the Norman Niles roundabout on highway 2A, go towards Haggatt Hall. Go straight for 4.8km, then take the right fork onto highway 4B. You'll veer left passing Brighton Plantation on your right. Continue through Melverton and subsequent canfields passing Halton and at the junction fork left continue on, passing St. Philip's church on your right. After driving about 1.5km take the left up the hill past District C police station. Look for Open House signs.
» March 21st, 2012
TO BE ANNOUNCED
» March 28th, 2012
George Washington House and tour of the Military Cemetery, St. Michael
George Washington never went abroad, except to Barbados in 1751. It was a turning point for him, and in this beautifully restored house where he stayed you will learn how. Its upstairs museum uses artifacts and interactive displays to showcase 18th and 19th century Barbados, and gives and eloquent witness to the experience of slavery. A short distance away is the Military Cemetery, a place of haunting beauty that few people ever see.
Directions: Located at the Garrison off Highway 7. On leaving Bridgetown, drive south along Bay Street and take the left turn up Bush Hill, opposite the Barbados Light & Power Ltd. Coming from the south it would be a right turn or you may turn right opposite the Drill Hall. Look for our Open House signs.
A Winter Season Tradition
IT'S FUN AND INFORMATIVE
There's so much to see at Open House.
The House. The programme includes all types of houses - from the grand old plantation houses rich with centuries of history to newer, luxurious Bajan-Style villas.
The Grounds and Gardens are a part of the attraction.
Sip your rum punch in stunning tropical settings.
Our Bazaar. Visit our Bookshop and craftspeople.
Refreshments will be on sale.
So take your time and savour all that the Open House Programme has to offer.
IT'S SO EASY
Visiting an Open House is very simple.
Follow our directions. If you're driving, the directions included in this brochure will guide you from the ABC Highway (2A). There will be Open House signs when you get close.
No pre-booking needed. Just come on down! However we do advise that you check the local newspaper or call The Barbados National Trust to make sure that the advertised house is still opened on Wednesday. Sometimes things change.
Admission: Your entrance fee gives you access to the house as well as provides you with historical and architectural information which you can take home with you as a souvenir.
Adults - $30
Children (5 - 12 years) - Half Price
Children under 5 - FREE.
BARP Members - $25
Members of the Barbados National Trust, reciprocating Trusts
and Societies (including the National Trusts of Scotland,
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand,
and certain heritage societies of the USA and Canada) - $20 on presentation of membership card.
Dress: Nicely casual, comfortable tropical clothing.
For more information contact:
The Barbados National Trust
Wildey House, Wildey, St. Michael
Barbados, West Indies
Tel: (246) 426-2421 or (246) 436-9033
Fax: (246) 429-9055
E-mail: natrust@sunbeach.net
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