Barbados / Special Interests / Conservation

Barbados is quite advanced when it comes to conservation, as it is in a lot of areas, but with all the development there is a great deal of pressure on resources and many different groups that want to exploit them in different ways – from fishermen and scuba dive operators to farmers and beach-users. However, it is one of the few islands to have its own National Trust, specifically founded to protect the island’s architectural and natural riches, and responsible for some of the island’s most well known and historic attractions.

The Barbados National Trust, which was founded in 1961, administers eight properties and is involved in three others.

The Trust’s Top Ten Heritage Attractions are: 

Tyrol Cot Heritage Village
Gun Hill Signal Station
Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill
Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Welchman Hall Tropical Forest Reserve & Gully
Wildey House
George Washington House & Museum
Arlington House Museum
The Jewish Synagogue and Nidhe Israel Museum

A popular annual event is the Trust’s Open House Season, which runs from January through to early April. A number of private homes, chosen for their historic, architectural or design interest, are open to the public on Wednesday afternoons.

The Barbados Museum & Historical Society is also involved in the preservation of the island’s historic treasures and is based at the former British military prison, the Garrison. See under Museums.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

The Barbados National Trust, Wildey House, Wildey, St Michael, t 426 2421,natrust@sunbeach.net www.nationaltrustbarbados.com Office open Mon-Fri from 8am to 4pm.

Contributors: Deana Bellamy