Yet another elegant
wooden building The Ministry of Finance that was
formerly the head office of the Transport and Harbours Department.
|
|
The Prime Minister's Residence is a good example of the mid- nineteenth century wooden architecture, with
its Italianate influence; characterized by the square cupola
at the top and the portico below it. This building was once the
residence of the British High Commissioner.
|
|
| State House, formerly known as Government
House dates back to 1858. It was the residence
of the
Governor General and in 1970, the country’s first
president Mr. Arthur Chung resided there. This building is a collection
of additions but there are a few distinctive
characteristics such as the Georgian six paned windows and
the
‘ Demerara windows.’ |
|
The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, is housed in
an elegant wooden building named in honor of an Englishman, who laid the
foundation
of our research into Amerindian Life and folklore. The building, which was once
the residence of Duncan Hutson, an eminent Barrister and legislator,
now houses an interesting collection of artifacts and relics of Amerindian
culture. |
|
The Church of the Sacred Heart, constructed of wood was built
by Father Schembri, an Italian.
A fine example of renaissance architecture,
the church was constructed during 1859 – 1861
and was opened at
midnight mass on 25 December 1861.
|
|
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, formerly known as
Avery House was the
headquarters of the Bauxite Industry of
Guyana prior to the creation of this Ministry. Demerara windows and wooden shutters
are noteworthy architectural details of this building.
|
|
The National Library, previously the Public Free Library was
built in 1909. Andrew Carnegie; a Scottish
born American industrialist and philanthropist provided
financing for the construction and
furnishing of the building. The building once housed the Economic
Science, Anthropological and Historical sections of the Museum. In 1951,
the Museum was relocated to its present site and the Library took
over the entire building.
. |
|
The Cenotaph, dedicated to Guyana’s soldiers who
died in service during the wars of 1914 - 1918, 1939- 1945. The Government
built the monument through public subscriptions.
On the day of the 9th anniversary of the declaration of war with Germany
Saturday, 14 August 1923,
Governor Graeme Thompson unveiled it. Mr. E. G. Wool
ford, Chairman of the War Memorial Committee, handed it over to the
acting Mayor Joseph Gonsalves, as its future custodians on behalf of the
city of Georgetown. |
|
Guyana Stores is the largest chain of
stores in Guyana. Housed inside are a cornucopia of items ranging
from craft to clothing. Prior to nationalization in 1970, the building
was known as Bookers Universal.
|
|
Other fine examples of traditional colonial style architecture of timber
can be observed in the Colgrain House,
now the Official Residence
of the Secretary General of the Caribbean Commonwealth
Community.
Next to it is the Georgetown Club, which was home to the crème
de la crème of society in the colonial era.
|
|
Plaza Cinema was the first theatre in British Guiana.
It was built in 1913. This was the scene of many concerts and a house
for theatrical displays in the 1930's by musicians and comedians of the
era.
|
|
Cara Lodge now a hotel was known as Woodbine House. This is
another example of Georgetown's elegant wooden
architecture. This was once the home of George
Anderson Forshaw. The yard contains a
Sapodilla tree that was planted
by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, on a visit to the colony.
|
|
Yet another example of an elegant wooden
building is Moray House. Located at the corner of Camp and Quamina Streets this
house exhibits the utilitarian Demerara Windows, a distinctive characteristic of
Georgetown's unique architecture.
|
|
The Radha Krishna Mandir a Hindu Temple provides an example
of the architectural influence of the east. This is
evident by the many spandrels and statuettes depicting gods
and religious notions above the main facade of the temple.
|
|
Design & Graphics (GO INVEST), this intricate
wooden building with its widow's walk was designed by H.O.
Durham. It was constructed circa 1925
and purchased by E.C.V. Kidman. Subsequently, it
was bought by the popular cricketer, John A. Browne, in 1937
and Frederick Kerry in
1945. In 1974 Neville Hubert King acquired it and sold it to
the Government of Guyana in 1979. In 1985 the Office of GO INVEST was
established.
|
|
The Promenade Garden. In August 1851, the Town Council made
a decision to create a public promenade for the relaxation of the public.
Housed in the compound of the
gardens are several monuments such as the bandstand, the oldest in the
city and the statue of
Mahatma Ghandi. A range of flora complements the surreal
surroundings.
|
|
The Independence Park, there is a sordid history
here as slaves were once hanged in this area for their participation
of the 1823 rebellion. This area was once joined
to what is now the Promenade Garden and was used by the British Military
forces for rehearsals and other recreational activities.
|
|
Another highlight of the city’s landscape is the Christ Church,
which was established in 1836, as a result
of disagreements between the congregations of the St. Georges
Cathedral. The present church has a
slight resemblance to the
second St. Georges cathedral, which was built in 1842.
|
|
| The Office of the National Trust, which was established in 1972
to preserve buildings and sites of
historic or national interest. Many vernacular
features, predominantly the ‘Demerara
Windows’ and the ‘Georgian
six paned windows' characterize the building.
|
|
The Philatelic Museum, This
former branch of the Post Office of Guyana was established in 1860 and
was closed in 1962 when the Post Office Training School was opened. The building
currently houses an Internet Cafe and Post Office operated by the Guyana Post
Office Corporation.
|
|
The Georgetown Public Hospital occupies 1-½ blocks,
it is bordered by Lamaha Street, Thomas Street and Middle Street. The
hospital's oldest section, the Seamans Ward, was first built in 1838.
today this hospital is managed by the Ministry of Health and provides a variety
of health services to Guyanese free of cost. |
|
| The Locomotive Sheds was the main station
building of the oldest railway in South America, which
opened for service in 1847. The railway reached Mahaica
in 1864 and eventually reached Rosignol
on the Berbice River, about 59 miles
from Georgetown in 1900. It also operated
on the West Coast of Demerara and the
East Coast of Essequibo
from Vreed en Hoop to Parika. The railway
was curtailed by half in 1970
and the entire system was scrapped by 1971.It is
presently leased by The Guyana Power and Light Inc. |
|
