It’s October again, and with it a focus on our cultural traditions and heritage – what’s left of it.
I am assuming that conservation is not a word commonly used in our current political administration’s vocabulary. I say this because there is no evidence to show that the “Powers That Be” have any interest in conserving – or maintaining – our cultural heritage, in terms of the built environment. And, indeed, as far as our natural environment is concerned; there are linkages, in terms of the approach to our natural and cultural heritage. It’s called negligence.
Folk dancing at the National Arena, lectures on our National Heroes, and reciting Louise Bennett doesn’t cost much – that’s the easy stuff. But (unlike many other countries, developed and developing) there is no interest in preserving historic buildings and sites. None. We would rather allow old buildings to collapse – for example in historic Falmouth and Port Royal – and then spend millions on brand new buildings that are obvious copies, for the tourists, at the cruise ship ports. We are not interested in the intrinsic value of “old things.” We prefer to “fake” them. Perhaps I am unusual, but whenever I visit a historic place abroad, I like to see the “real thing”!
I am sharing a blog post by cultural and art critic Veerle Poupeye (who used to steer the National Gallery of Jamaica with an expert hand). She starts with a description of the desperate, semi-derelict state of Vale Royal – a building that happens to be practically on my doorstep. I described it as “on life support” earlier this year and first pointed to its state of disrepair four years ago. Along with neighbours, we have been watching its steady decay for the past decade or so, with sinking hearts. We are all aware of the challenges of maintaining these buildings in a tropical climate. But, we don’t even try. I believe grants are available from overseas for restoration projects; have we applied for any?
It’s like having a family member in a hospice, fighting along and somehow coping – until something happens that precipitates a more rapid decline. In the case of Vale Royal, it was the sudden collapse of the front porch – a health crisis, if you will.

As I have noted previously in this blog, architectural plans, recommendations for its use, requests for meetings, and beseechings to save Vale Royal over the past few years have all been in vain. All efforts by citizens to engage with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is responsible for this particular property – by email, letter, phone calls – have been brushed aside and/or directly rejected. The OPM posted a statement on its website in March, which seems to be making excuses for its years of neglect and was likely designed to keep the pesky complainers at bay; seven months later, we are awaiting word on the report from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) which is mentioned in the statement, with bated breath. Here’s more on that statement.
In her latest blog post, Veerle Poupeye moves on to Devon House in uptown Kingston, which aims to appeal to overseas visitors, but has always been a much-loved hangout for Jamaicans. On our last visit there, I had also noticed some disturbing signs, which reminded me of poor old Vale Royal – architectural details missing or in a bad state of repair. What’s happening (or rather, not happening) here?

Devon House has a completely different history; it is not the former home of a coloniser who was a strong advocate of slavery, as Vale Royal is. It is advertised as the home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, and there is a new, shiny bust of him in what used to be a garden at the back of the house, now concretised and “touristified.” Again, maintenance is the issue. The house is showing signs of decay, inside and out. Is lack of funds the excuse here as it is for Vale Royal?
So, as Veerle Poupeye notes, buildings that black enslaved Africans laboured to create and build are no longer valued. Is all the ancestors’ sweat and blood in vain? If so, that is shameful. Or are we conveniently forgetting the uncomfortable complexities of Jamaica’s past?

Do Jamaicans even think of these things? Or is this the lack of vision – a gross lack of imagination, perhaps – on the part of our Government, which I wrote about recently?
Please read and share Veerle Poupeye’s blog post, linked here. She has the knowledge and the expertise – and she asks some very pertinent questions regarding the resources our Government has (or has not) to maintain our cultural heritage. I am just adding my “two cents” here.
Thank you for reading! We can – we must – do better. Heritage Week is upon us!









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