Heritage Trust and London Museum Docklands Partners to Restore Government House

The Heritage Trust of Antigua and Barbuda (HTAB) and the London Museum Docklands have partnered up to work on the Government House Restoration Project, aiming to uncover and showcase the historical ties between the West Indies and the United Kingdom.

The project will explore the story of “sugar and the enslaved” and trace the narrative from slavery to emancipation to independence.

The London Museum Docklands’ Managing Director, Douglas Gilmore, and Senior Curator, Jean-Francois Manicom, recently visited Antigua as guests of the HTAB to conduct preliminary historical research and cultural fact-finding.

They held discussions with various industry and academic luminaries, including Professor Justin Robinson from UWI Five Islands, Dr. Susan Lowes, Dr. Reginald Murphy, and Dr. Christopher Waters.

They also met with representatives of the Horticultural Society of Antigua and Barbuda, Historic Furniture Restorers, Historic Upholstery, and island history savant Agnes Meeker, among others.

The Government House Restoration Project is a significant undertaking.

The project aims to transform the historical two-acre landmark, known as the People’s House, into an impressive heritage venue with a museum and art gallery.

Government House is an architectural symbol, with the West Wing preserving one of the last known remaining slave quarters in the Eastern Caribbean.

The restoration will not only improve the physical property but will also create meaningful jobs and provide training to Antiguans and Barbudans in conservation and restoration.

At a cocktail party held at Government House on March 1st, guests were addressed by HTAB Project Manager, Janey Henderson-Howell; HTAB

Director, Sir David Harrison; and Chairman of HTAB, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams.

Sir Rodney spoke about the project’s immense significance and its potential to promote cultural exchange between the UK and the West Indies.

Director Henderson-Howell encouraged attendees to loan or donate any artifacts for display in the museum, benefitting the entire nation. Sir David Harrison emphasized the importance of training and job creation as part of the project’s goals.

Guests at the cocktail party and an exclusive donor’s appreciation dinner held two days earlier were given the opportunity to tour Government House, including the upstairs chambers, and view old paintings of royalty.

The Parham Prince painting collection donated by Nancy Underhills, interesting pieces of crockery from the 1700s unearthed from the grounds of Government House, and other important relics, including antique pots, aged rum kegs, and fragile water jars, were also on exhibit.

The London Museum Docklands will present a report to the HTAB, which will provide direction on the historical narrative.

The first phase of “Operation Restoration” was funded by the Calvin Ayre Foundation, the Mill Reef Club, and Sir David Harrison, with the second phase scheduled to commence in April 2024.