Home of Sir Grantley open to public

The restored home of Sir Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados, will be open for the public to explore as the National Trust’s Open House Season comes to a close on Wednesday.

Tyrol Cot House and Chattel House Village, St Michael will be open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This includes both the house itself and the grounds of the property where the chattel village is located. The Lively Lecture will be delivered by Sir Henry Fraser with entertainment to follow from the fabulous duo of Willie Kerr and Terry Mexican Arthur.

The house was constructed from coral stone in 1854 by architect William Farnum. However, it wasn’t until 1929 that Sir Grantley and his wife Lady Grace Adams, nee Thorne, purchased the house and eventually raised their son Tom Adams, who would later go on to become the second prime minister of Barbados.

After Lady Adams’ passing in 1990, the house was purchased from her grandsons by the Barbados National Trust. Under the direction of Professor Fraser and Executive Director of the Trust, Penelope Hynam, a massive restoration of the house and grounds was completed over the course of five years through public and private funding.

As visitors step across the threshold of the main entrance, they will feel as though they have gone back in time to 1929. Iconic spaces within the house will be accessible for viewing, each room filled with memorabilia and records of personal achievements that tell silent stories about the former occupants. Among the areas open for viewing will be the drawing room which would have housed Sir Grantley and his many local and international colleagues as they discussed political and world affairs, and the dining room and its mahogany table watched over by Lady Adams’ collection of platters on a high picture rail.

Outlying buildings have been converted into offices and rental spaces. The former old stables have been converted into an escape room themed to reflect the era of the house. Just beyond that is a replica coral-stone slave hut where visitors can observe the living conditions of enslaved people in the 1800s.

Finally, there are several chattel houses, whose lovely designs have been copied from existing houses and have been erected to create a sense of community.

(PR/BT)