The Heritage Trust of Antigua and Barbuda (HTAB) and the London Museum
Docklands have joined efforts to progress the historical Government House
Restoration Project. The aim of this collaboration is to explore the synergies
between the West Indies and the United Kingdom, and their story of “sugar and the
enslaved”, as the narrative progresses “from slavery to emancipation to
independence”.
Douglas Gilmore, Managing Director of the London Museum Docklands and Jean-
Francois Manicom, Senior Curator, visited Antigua last week as guests of the
HTAB. The experts engaged in preliminary historical research and cultural fact-
finding as a precursory step to the development of the chronicles.
While on island, Gilmore and Manicom held discussions with various industry and
academic luminaries including Professor Justin Robinson (Pro Vice-Chancellor
and Campus Principal, UWI Five Islands), Dr. Susan Lowes, Dr. Reginald Murphy
and Dr. Christopher Waters. In addition, they met with representatives of the
Horticultural Society of Antigua and Barbuda, Historic Furniture
Restorers, Historic Upholstery and island history savant Agnes Meeker, among
others.
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 said, “The Government House Restoration Project holds immense
significance, aiming to transform this historical two-acre landmark, the People’s
House, into an impressive heritage venue with a museum and art gallery.
Government House stands as an architectural symbol, with the West Wing
preserving one of the last known remaining slave quarters in the Eastern
Caribbean.”
Director Henderson-Howell issued a call to action, encouraging the attendees to
either loan or donate any artefacts, which would be placed on display for the
benefit of the entire nation.
Sir David Harrison said that he was pleased to be involved with the Government
House project. He stressed that not only would the physical property be revamped,
but the training of Antiguans and Barbudans in conservation and restoration, and
the creation of meaningful jobs, were high on the agenda.
At both the cocktail party and an exclusive donor’s appreciation dinner held two
days earlier, guests were given the opportunity to tour Government House,
inclusive of the upstairs chambers, and to view old paintings of royalty. Also on
exhibit was the Parham Prince painting collection donated by Nancy Underhills,
interesting pieces of crockery from the 1700’s unearthed from the grounds of
Government House, and other important relics — including antique pots, aged rum
kegs and fragile water jars.
The London Museum Docklands will present a report to the HTAB which will, in
turn, 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.
