In addition to being a symbol of Anguillian history and patriotic pride Wallblake House, one of the oldest buildings on the island, has been launched as a heritage tourism project adding much significance to Anguilla’s rich cultural and social past.
The restored Wallblake House comprises a main building with a cluster of smaller structures and has its own particular history. It was built in colonial architectural style in 1787 as a plantation house and was privately owned; rebuilt after destruction by fire in 1796 during the French invasion; later owned by the Catholic Church; leased to the Anguilla Tourist Board in 1978 and refurbished; damaged in 2017 by Hurricane Irma – and some of its structures are still to be restored. The main building, with all its historic trappings, is now a museum for an array of artifacts reflecting traditional furniture, lifestyles and customs in Anguilla – as well as glimpses of industry such as cotton cultivation, salt production, garment-making and decoration.
The launch of the Wallblake House Heritage Project was on Friday, November 30. It was an initiative of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, with the involvement of the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society and other key players.
President of the Archaeological and Historical Society, Ms. Jansie Webster, addressing the gathering, said in part: “Wallblake House remains unique to Anguilla. Its historical appeal is not just the main house but also the surrounding buildings and their settings. Careful workmanship and attention to detail have ensured that this complex of structures remained, as far as possible, as they existed in the past, making it a living part of our history. It is a mirror through which our lifestyles and customs can be viewed. The fact that it is being opened up, for use again, must be recognized as a major achievement.”
Ms. Webster applauded the workmen who did the restoration work; Ms. Jasmin Garraway, Tourism Adviser; and the Ministry of Tourism for coordinating the project. She added that not only would the heritage tourism project serve as a learning experience for visitors but for Anguillian students as well.
Mrs. Patricia Beard, who spent much of her younger life at Wallblake House, while it was used by the Catholic Church, was delighted to see how the property was transformed as a tourist attraction – and highly commended Ms. Garraway for her work. “She made sure that Anguilla’s past is well presented,” Mrs. Beard stated. “If it were not for her efforts that place would have been rubble today.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, the keynote speaker, observed that the Wallblake House Heritage Tourism Project “is something that tells us very much about our history and culture. It gives the tools to our Tourist Board members to be able to market Anguilla – not just as an island of sand, sea and great food [but other attractions].” He was grateful to Ms. Garraway for her work at Wallblake House as well as the relief assistance she was able to organize for Anguilla in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
On behalf of Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Mr. Victor Banks, and the Government of Anguilla, Mr. Connor thanked the many persons in attendance for their support for the project.
Ms. Garraway expressed thanks and appreciation to all who assisted with the restoration of Wallblake House and those who donated the items on display. “Without that effort by all of these people we would not have what we have today,” she told her listeners. “I have to thank them because that long journey has now materialized into something that is concrete, and I hope will become part of the landscape of Anguilla for generations to come.”
The Wallblake House site was blessed by St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Priests, Fr. Xuan Ho and Fr. Ernie Bethelette, following which there were tours of the building. Tours for other members of the public, including visitors, continued over the weekend. Arrangements have been made for regular tours with the start of the tourist season.
