The Officer’s Quarters at the Blockhouse Military Complex are currently undergoing a stabilization process to address damage sustained over the years. The National Parks Authority has engaged eight skilled stonemasons who have been diligently restoring the structure. Built over 200 years ago, using volcanic stone sourced from the surrounding area, the complex has been carefully restored since beginning in 2024. To date, the stonemasons led by veterans, Orell Charles, Victor Isaac and Sean Titus- have successfully reinstated two of the recently damaged arches, showcasing their meticulous craftsmanship.
As the project progresses, the National Parks Authority held a special appreciation event for the stonemasons as part of the 8th of March Project 2025 commemoration. The event was attended by, the Minister Responsible for National Parks, E.P. Chet Greene, Chairman of the National Parks Authority Board, Sen. Phillip Shoul, Parks Commissioner, Ann Marie Martin, Restorations Manager, Marinus Smith and management and staff of the National Parks Authority.
In his remarks, Minister Greene expressed great pride in the stonemasons’ work, stating, “Gentlemen, this is a proud moment. As word spreads of your efforts here, your names will be celebrated as the eight men who died on March 8, 1744. This project aligns perfectly with our recent passage of the Cultural Heritage Bill and our vision to develop more heritage tourism spaces in Antigua and Barbuda.”
The Minister continued, “We are not only showcasing the value of these sites as tourism assets but also honouring us as Antiguans and Barbudans—descendants of the very individuals who built these structures. When these buildings were first erected, we were strangers to them- today, we are their rightful stewards, heirs to the legacy of those who constructed them.”
Sir Hugh Bailey KGN MBE GCN, a benefactor of the Stabilization Project, was also present to show his support and offer his personal connections to the space as a young man growing up in St Paul’s. He shared that seeing the Stabalisation efforts he was beaming with national pride.
Chairman Shoul expressed his admiration for the ongoing work, saying, “I invite the people of Antigua and Barbuda to come and witness the remarkable talent being displayed here. This project has my unwavering support, and I hope to extend our efforts to more ruins within the National Park.”
The presentation took place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Blockhouse Military Complex. It marked the beginning of the National Parks’ annual commemoration of the tragic events of March 8, 1744, when an explosion claimed the lives of eight men: Billy, London, James Soe, Caramante Quamano, Dick, Joe, Scipio, and Johnno. The theme for 2025, “Built on Legacy,” highlights the remarkable skills, talents, and contributions of both free and enslaved Africans who lived and worked in the Dockyard. Their legacy endures 300 years later, as the Antigua Naval Dockyard has evolved into a thriving heritage tourism site that continues to support the livelihoods of their descendants.
The National Parks Authority is also celebrating 40 years of dedicated service, proudly fulfilling its mandate through initiatives like this one. For four decades, the Authority has worked tirelessly to preserve, protect, manage, and develop the natural, physical, and ecological resources, alongside the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of Antigua and Barbuda. This milestone is a testament to the Authority’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding and enriching our nation’s heritage for future generations.
