Barbados: George Washington House (07-27-2007)

George Washington House
Bush Hill House
Bush Hill, The Garrison
St. Michael, Barbados
Series: George Washington House (Bush Hill House)
(07-27-2007)

My memories of the Garrison Historic District area and The Bush Hill House, as a child, were only about fun youthful stuff. The many days of kite flying or just running wild across the pasture can now conjure up sweet thoughts. Many times the kids in the village would race their bicycle around the Garrison and try to see how fast they could peddle the bike down Bush Hill. Without a doubt, I was no different. I reckon none the other kids even realize that a wonderful Great House was at the top of Bush Hill.

This restored Great House has quite a history. For almost 300 years it has been occupied by folk as a private home; also renters stay here for some time before moving on; it has served as commercial offices in the 1940’s, and has been a base for French prisoners. The mighty British military Garrison used this house as part of their operations within the Garrison Historic Area.

But The Bush Hill house is more noted for having George Washington as a tenant for three months in 1751. George Washington, on his only visit outside of America, left Virginia and boarded a vessel bound for Barbados. He was accompanied by his brother Lawrence who was ailing from tuberculosis. At the time they believed that the tropical climate would aid the recovery of Lawrence’s illness. They rented the property from the commander of James Fort in the capital of Bridgetown. The name of the commander was Captain Crofton.

When this house was correctly identified as the place where George Washington stayed in Barbados, the government purchased the property from the Barbados Light and Power Company and handed it over to the Bush Hill Tourism Trust Inc.

Since it restoration it has been official call the George Washington House. It serves as a museum and research center. In 1997 William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Clinton unveil a plaque outside this lovely house, forever linking the island of Barbados and the United States, for that once historic visited by the father of America, George Washington.

View the entire set.
View as slideshow.
View on Flickriver.
Also, take a look at my exclusive blog on Barbados.
Check out my website keithclarkephotography

73 photos | 561 views

items are from 27 Jul 2007.