A signed lease of the historic Wallblake Plantation House has provided the Government of Anguilla (the user), and the Catholic Diocese of St. Johns Basseterre (the owner), a formal arrangement for the use and maintenance of the building.
The lease was signed on Saturday, May 28, by Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Tourism, Mr. Victor Banks; and Catholic Bishop, Kenneth Richards, and countersigned by witnesses on behalf of the Government and the Church. The agreement is to allow the building to be used as a major tourism attraction.
Wallblake House was built in 1787 and is the best-preserved plantation-style house in Anguilla. After it was willed to St. Gerard’s Church, it became the living quarters for priests. It was restored by the Wallblake Trust Management Committee.
Chief Minister Banks said: “This is not the first time in the history of Wallblake House that it is part of Anguilla’s tourism plant. In 1977 it was the office of the Anguilla Tourist Board and the centre of the promotion and marketing of the island as a destination. We are extremely pleased to have the support of Bishop Kenneth Richards, Fr. Pawel Czoch SVD, and the executive of the original management committee, Marjorie Mc Clean and Fiona Curtis, to use the house and its out buildings for tourism purposes again.”
Bishop Richards was pleased with the arrangement and spoke about the cooperation between the Anguilla Government and the Catholic Church in that endeavour. The Jamaican Bishop, who is completing his tour of service to the St Johns Basseterre Diocese, was presented with a plaque of a map of Anguilla, by the Chief Minister, in appreciation of his service to the island.
Wallblake House has of late housed the office of Anguilla Finance. According to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, it “will become the Interpretation Centre for plantation heritage. It will feature exhibits of artifacts, paraphernalia and photography that will transport visitors to Anguilla’s way of life in previous times.”
The release added: “The Ministry will work with local expertise, including [that of] Mr. Sydney Gumbs and international partners and museums, which will provide technical advice and other support in developing the project. Persons interested in partnering with the Ministry are requested to contact Sandra Gumbs at the Ministry of Tourism at 497-2547 ext. 2206.”
