“Current debate over the future of the Boissiere House, or as its popularly called “The Gingerbread House,” at 26 Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain should include the possibility of using it as the new home for the writings and works of Dr Eric Williams, Father of the Nation. It is large enough to house the Eric Williams Collection which is now on display at the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine. ”More people would be able to see the collection in a spacious and historical environment,” said one conservationist of this idea. Williams’s daughter, Erica Williams-Connell, also finds merit in the idea of using the Boissiere House for the collection, providing the arrangements were satisfactory in every respect….” [Read original article]
Save Boissiere House
save Trinidad & Tobago’s architectural heritage!
Comments 1
Dr. Eric Williams will always be noted as the Father of the Nation. However, the Boissiere House should reflect the life and legacy of its owner, C.E.H. Boissiere. I think it would be disrespectful to ignore the contributions the actual owner made to the nation by placing another individual’s life (regardless who) in that living space. This is no disrespect to Dr. Eric Williams and T&T. The people of Trinidad and Tobago need to be educated about the importance and reasons for preserving an historic building or site. I figure the National Trust can be instrumental in conducting workshops of such nature. There is so much the country needs to know about protecting and preserving its historic resources. Was anyone (government or private citizen) concerned about the condition of the Boissiere House prior to the recent situation of it being for sale? I traveled to my parents’ country just to find out about the condition of the house. Also, the issue of the original owner being a wealthy businessman living in an upscale residential area should not be an excuse for discrimination. There are many historic resources in areas such as Laventille, Belmont, Central and South Trinidad in East Indian residential areas, etc. But the focus is this particular historic house. The fact is that the Boissiere House should and can be considered for designation simply because 1) it’s 104 years old, and 2) its architectural style is unique to its era (and ours today). Personally I disagree with having the Boissiere House as another museum. For 104 years, the house and its belongings have been displayed in actual living breathing spaces. Keep it residential. I hope that the Trust Act can be amended to include providing funding for owners of historic properties or provide tax credits and tax benefits for restoration or rehabilitation of their properties. This is done in the U.S. If the current owners of the Boissiere House truly do not want to sell the house and lack of funding is their only way out, I would suggest that they find out about ways to generate income from the house. Can they get a bank loan to turn it into a bed and breakfast? The owners can still reside at the Boissiere House and generate an income if its a bed and breakfast and have Mr. Charles E.H. Boissiere’s belongings on display (photographs, set up his study as he did while conducting his business, etc) and invite school children to the home. In that way, it can still be utilized as a ‘residential museum’ and not simply as items on display. Generate an income as a residential museum and charge an admission fee to visitors (but not the school children). Keep the house in the family and definitely include stipulations in the deed if anyone decides to sell the house. If anyone knows the owner(s), please tell them to feel free to contact me about an alternative avenue to selling the house. If anyone reading this comment would like to ask me questions, please feel free to contact me at gittensconsult@gmail.com. On another note, I think that turning the childhood house of Dr. Eric Williams into a museum would be fitting. Or his home as Prime Minister as well. Gather his old school books, school uniforms, shoes, photographs with siblings, etc and display them in his childhood house. There’s a museum for Dr. Martin Luther King in Atlanta with a similar set up. For Dr. Williams’ residence as prime minister, perform similar tasks. I can recall viewing a clip from TV and seeing Dr. Williams cooking and his daughter Erica speaking during an interview. The kitchen area (with the same cutlery, stove, etc that Dr. Williams used) alone is worthy of making Dr. Williams former residence into a museum for the public. Definitely tourists would visit. Funds can be generated from this venture as well if visitors (local or foreign) are charged an admission fee. Have Dr. Williams’ books for sale at the home as well to assist with generating funds. There is so much that can be done to many historic residences in Trinidad; Tobago as well. Again, feel free to contact me at gittensconsult@gmail.com.
Posted 09 Mar 2008 at 5:20 am ¶