histroricberbice


Historic New Amsterdam The town of New Amsterdam developed as a settlement beside Fort Nassau some 55 miles up the Berbice River. Around 1784, as a result of the fluctuating fortunes of Fort Nassau, the Dutch relocated the town to its present site at the confluence of the Berbice and Canje Rivers. The name New Amsterdam was chosen because most of the colonists originated from the province of Amsterdam in Holland. Between 1785 - 1790, New Amsterdam was established as the seat of Government for Berbice. at that time the town was little more than a forest settlemnt, with a house there and a house there, no roads, no drains. By the resolutions of an Ordinance dated 11 January 1791, plots of land were awarded to settlers along the river front. In 1776 George Pinkhard described the town as that of a wild country, only just opening into cultivation. It comprised an extent of wood and water, with small patches of land breaking into incipient tillage. In May 1825 an Ordinance to establish a Board of Management for the town was passed. Subsequent ordinances in October 1825 and September 1838 resulted in the establishment of a ‘Board of Policy’ to be responsible for the affairs of the Town. In 1844 a Board of Superintendence was established for this purpose. Under their guidance the town grew. The Board of Superintendence lasted until 1 September 1891, when legislation was enacted to incorporate the Town into a Municipality. The membership of this council consisted of members who had served on the Board of Superintendents and Mr. Neil Ross McKinnon, K.C., who was president of that Board, was appointed as the Town’s first Mayor

The New Amsterdam Public Hospital: designed by Ceasar Castellani, a Maltese architect, employed by the Public Works Department of British Guiana during the 19th century, this edifice is one of the most beautiful structures in Guyana. Arranged like a Pavillion Hospital, with the wards placed end to end this edifice was constructed in 1878.

Mission Chapel Congregational Church: this edifice was constructed after
the first Mission Chapel which was founded by Reverend John Wray was destroyed by the order of the planters who blamed the missionaries for the
1823 slave insurrection. Under the ministry of Ebenezer Davies, the
foundation stone of this structure was laid in 1841.

All Saints Scots Church was founded circa 1820 through the assistance of the Public Teasury. In 1838 the present structure was built when the Scots aquired a plot of land to erect a church and later a school to cateer for the population of New Amsterdam.

Ituni Temple: this elegant wooden building was
constructed in the late 19th century. It is home
to one of Guyana's oldest fraternity the Freemasons
Lodge. Timber louvres and stained glass windows
inthe small tower with intricately designed fretwork are
noteworthy fetaures of this edifice.

The New Amsterdam Town Hall : this imposing structure was erected in
1868 after the establishment of the Board of Superintendants in 1844. The
tower encircled by a 'widow's walk isone of the main architectural features
of this edifice.

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The New Amsterdam Public Hospital: designed by Ceasar Castellani, a Maltese architect, employed by the Public Works Department of British Guiana during the 19th century, this edifice is one of the most beautiful structures in Guyana. Arranged like a Pavillion Hospital, with the wards placed end to end this edifice was constructed in 1878.
Mission Chapel Congregational Church: this edifice was constructed after the first Mission Chapel which was founded by Reverend John Wray was destroyed by the order of the planters who blamed the missionaries for the 1823 slave insurrection. Under the ministry of Ebenezer Davies, the foundation stone of this structure was laid in 1841.
All Saints Scots Church was founded circa 1820 through the assistance of the Public Teasury. In 1838 the present structure was built when the Scots aquired a plot of land to erect a church and later a school to cateer for the population of New Amsterdam.
Ituni Temple: this elegant wooden building was constructed in the late 19th century. It is home to one of Guyana's oldest fraternity the Freemasons Lodge. Timber louvres and stained glass windows inthe small tower with intricately designed fretwork are noteworthy fetaures of this edifice.
The New Amsterdam Town Hall : this imposing structure was erected in 1868 after the establishment of the Board of Superintendants in 1844. The tower encircled by a 'widow's walk isone of the main architectural features of this edifice.

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