St. Ann's Garrison, or more commonly known as "The Garrison", is a small district located in the country of
Barbados. This Garrison Historic Area is situated about 3.2 km (2 mi) south of
Heroes Square in the capital-city
Bridgetown, and just west of the
village of
Hastings in the neighbouring
parish of
Christ Church. It is dominated by its historic horse race-track, located on the 12 ha (30-acre) parade ground called the
Garrison Savannah. The Garrison area additionally contains many historic buildings including barracks for military personnel. The district is bisected by Highway 7, with
Saint Ann's Fort, where the
Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is based, lying to the west.
History
During both the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Garrison was the base and headquarters for members of the British
West India Regiment in Barbados. In 1751, the future leader of the
American Revolution and first president of the
United States,
George Washington, stayed with his sick brother at the district's Bush Hill section for six weeks. This restored property remains as a fixture at the Garrison where it is simply called the '
George Washington House'.[1] By the middle of the eighteenth century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops started the sporting tradition of horse racing at the
Garrison racetrack.
On 30 November 1966 the Garrison Historic Area was the location where the ceremony was held for the lowering of the
Union Flag (the flag of the
United Kingdom), and the raising of the Barbados flag, thus ushering in full
independence for the country of Barbados from the
United Kingdom.
There are a number of historically significant buildings at the location, other than George Washington House. Many of these housed the Regiment units of the British Garrison, including the building that houses the Barbados Museum and surrounding buildings. Evidence of this includes prison cells of the former Garrison.
Gallery
The Barbados National Cannon Collection, with some of the most rare and oldest English cannons
Garrison signage along Highway 7
Sign on the main guard house at the Garrison Savannah
Clock tower on the main guardhouse at the Garrison Savannah built around 1803
The main guardhouse building at the Garrison Savannah built around 1803
St. Ann's Garrison, or more commonly known as "The Garrison", is a small district located in the country of
Barbados. This Garrison Historic Area is situated about 3.2 km (2 mi) south of
Heroes Square in the capital-city
Bridgetown, and just west of the
village of
Hastings in the neighbouring
parish of
Christ Church. It is dominated by its historic horse race-track, located on the 12 ha (30-acre) parade ground called the
Garrison Savannah. The Garrison area additionally contains many historic buildings including barracks for military personnel. The district is bisected by Highway 7, with
Saint Ann's Fort, where the
Barbados Defence Force (BDF) is based, lying to the west.
History
During both the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Garrison was the base and headquarters for members of the British
West India Regiment in Barbados. In 1751, the future leader of the
American Revolution and first president of the
United States,
George Washington, stayed with his sick brother at the district's Bush Hill section for six weeks. This restored property remains as a fixture at the Garrison where it is simply called the '
George Washington House'.[1] By the middle of the eighteenth century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops started the sporting tradition of horse racing at the
Garrison racetrack.
On 30 November 1966 the Garrison Historic Area was the location where the ceremony was held for the lowering of the
Union Flag (the flag of the
United Kingdom), and the raising of the Barbados flag, thus ushering in full
independence for the country of Barbados from the
United Kingdom.
There are a number of historically significant buildings at the location, other than George Washington House. Many of these housed the Regiment units of the British Garrison, including the building that houses the Barbados Museum and surrounding buildings. Evidence of this includes prison cells of the former Garrison.
Gallery
The Barbados National Cannon Collection, with some of the most rare and oldest English cannons
Garrison signage along Highway 7
Sign on the main guard house at the Garrison Savannah
Clock tower on the main guardhouse at the Garrison Savannah built around 1803
The main guardhouse building at the Garrison Savannah built around 1803