Heritage At Risk - A Patron to Protect our Built Heritage

At last a Patron to Protect our Built Heritage!

Governor General, Dr. Cecile La Grenade – Source: Caribbeanlifenews.com/GoG

Written by Norris Mitchell – The Willie Redhead Foundation



It was like a breath of fresh air, hearing Her Excellency – Dr. Cecile La Grenade, our new Governor General, in her inaugural address on Tuesday 7 May 2013 declaring her commitment to the protection of our built heritage with special reference to the restoration of the Governor General’s residence and York House, which were severely damaged by hurricanes Ivan in September 2004 and Emily July 2005, and remain derelict up to this day.



In this regard it is appropriate that The Sentinel bring to the fore the declaration by the United Nations on world heritage, as follows:

“In a society where living standards are changing at an accelerated pace, it is essential for man’s equilibrium and development to preserve for him a fitting setting in which to live, where he will remain in contact with nature and the evidence of civilization bequeathed by past generations; and that to this end, it is appropriate to give the cultural and natural heritage an active function in community life, and to integrate into an overall policy, the achievements of our time, the values of the past and the beauty of nature” UNESCO preamble to Heritage Protection 1972.

Of course, there are several other heritage buildings and sites in our Capital City that have been neglected/ abandoned over the years. A few which come to mind are the St. George’s Market Square, which is undergoing some very insensitive changes, the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches, Edinburgh House on Young Street, the Georgian House on Church Street with an authentic Sedan Chair porch, which is in an advanced stage of decay, the reclaiming of Fort George, and within recent times the abandonment of our Public Library building (the National Archives and Library) on the Carenage.



Talk is cheap. In Grenada and in the Caribbean as a whole, there is a culture, where once the matter has been thoroughly verbalized, it becomes a substitute for action (achievement). The end result is that there is little or no improvement in the matter at hand, until it is completely forgotten, and stagnation becomes the order of the day.



It is imperative therefore, that the Grenada Government (G.G.) select her advisors carefully, as the naysayers would want to dissuade her into accepting that York House and the G.G's historic residence and site should be replaced by so-called modern buildings. Unfortunately this mindset is the result of a deficit in the knowledge and appreciation of our history and cultural assets which are essential ingredients in our evolving Caribbean identity.



In conclusion, the Sentinel would like to think that this is an appropriate occasion to remind the powers that be, that there is no PUBLIC ACCESS to the Louis La Grenade mausoleum at Morne Jaloux. The mausoleum is the site of the remains of one of Grenada's outstanding sons and heroes during the FEDON revolutionary period, and a deceased relative of our Governor General. The Sentinel is therefore looking forward to the day when public access to the site would be restored in order to reinforce the meaning and appreciation of our heritage for both Grenadians and visitors alike.



Finally, we all take this opportunity to wish her Excellency, "All speed," in the tremendous task of nation building which lies ahead.