Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison: Heritage and Community in the Nelson Street Area

Recovering History: Heritage and Community in the Bay Street Area, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison 

By Dr. Tara Inniss 

Some of the residential areas that developed along the Bay Street corridor that linked Historic Bridgetown to its Garrison, especially the Nelson Street area date to the mid- to late-19th century. Their housing stock represents a mixture of iconic Barbadian commercial-residential properties, chattel houses and suburban villas. Historically, the area developed in response to the rapid urbanization that took place after emancipation and the continuation of a bustling transshipment point for trans-Atlantic goods distribution to neighbouring islands in the schooner trade. By this time, Bridgetown was supporting a growing population that was attracted to the employment and migration opportunities in the town’s maritime-mercantile economy. Many of the working class men and women who populated the area in the 19th century were skilled artisans and tradespeople who serviced the maritime industry and the mercantile orientation of the town. This paper will examine the heritage assets of a present-day economically depressed area that has become associated with crime and poverty while also exploring the potential of heritage to be used as a tool for social development and community empowerment. 

Many Barbadians think of the Nelson Street Area as a 'red light district' and are mostly unaware of the residential area's origins as a 'respectable' lower-middle class area in the late 19th century. It is today one of the best preserved historic residential streetscapes in the City and more should be done to bring full economic and cultural benefits of the World Heritage inscription to that neighbourhood. 

A survey of late 19^th century burial records for nearby Anglican St. Mary’s Church (located in Cheapside in the City) and St. Paul’s Church (located on Bay St. which serviced the Garrison), reflects the occupational profile of the area known as “Wellington Street”, “Nelson Street” and “Rebbit’s Land”. The men and women who populated the area in the late 19^th century were skilled artisans and tradespeople (many of whom were Afro-Barbadians) who serviced the maritime industry and the mercantile orientation of the town, including shopkeepers; turners; mechanics; domestic labourers; porters; stevedores; laundresses; seamstresses; hucksters (vendors); needlewomen; carpenters; joiners; tailors; teachers; and most notably, seamen and master mariners. In its 21^st century development, the area has become associated with crime and poverty, but by the late 19^th century and early 20^th century, it was home to both an industrious skilled workforce and the ubiquitous and notorious tavern operations found in port towns all over the world.

This presentation was delivered at a Panel Discussion entitled, "Living with Our Past: Legacy, Communities and World Heritage" to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in 2012. 

Special Seminar. 5-8PM. Henry Fraser Lecture Theatre. The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. Tuesday 31^st July 2012.

KEY QUESTIONS

How do communities which are descendants of past hegemonic practices take ownership for the safeguarding of OUVs for which their localities are inscribed on the World Heritage List? What are the processes which enable empowerment of communities through their guardianship and interpretation of their World Heritage Property?