Michel-Jean Cazabon's Grave Print E-mail
Written by Geoffrey MacLean   

Tombstone of Michel-Jean Cazabon before restoration

Tombstone of Michel-Jean Cazabon during restoration

Trinidad's famous nineteenth century artist and National Hero, Michel-Jean Cazabon, born on 20 September 1813, is being honoured by the restoration by Citizens for Conservation of his grave in Port of Spain's Lapeyrouse Cemetery. Funded by Mr. Harry Bryden, the grave has long been left unattended and was given in trust to Citizens for Conservation some years ago by the then Mayor of Port of Spain, John Rahael. Cazabon died at his studio on Edward Street, Port of Spain, on 20 November 1888. It is believed that Cazabon's wife, Louise Rosalie Trolard, who died in 1885, is buried in the same plot.
 
Citizens for Conservation Print E-mail
Written by Geoffrey MacLean   


As early as 1979, a group of concerned citizens including Architects John Newel-Lewis and Rudylynn Defour Roberts, Christine Millar, Megan Brown and others, began promoting greater understanding for Trinidad and Tobago's heritage. In 1985, following the public outcry over the intended demolition of the "George Brown House" on the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Citizens for Conservation was formed to provide an official voice for the protection of Trinidad and Tobago's natural and man-made heritage. Through open discussion they sought to sensitize the public to the importance of conservation and preservation. Through the efforts of Citizens for Conservation the National Trust Act was drafted and finally enacted in 1991. Their present aim is to provide support for the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago as well as other interested groups and to lobby as the need arises for the respect, protection and preservation of the many aspects our heritage.

 
 
58 Piccadilly Street, Port of Spain Print E-mail
Written by Geoffrey MacLean   

58 Piccadilly Street, Port of Spain
(Circa 1915)

One of the Prize Winners for the National Trust Awards 2009, for Best Kept Historic Buildling (Small) is 58 Piccadilly Street, Port of Spain. Other winners were: Queens Royal College, Best Restoration Project (Large); Black Rock Moravian Church, Best Restoration Project (Small); Lion House, Chaguanas, Best Kept Historic Building (Large); Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Best Kept Natural Heritage Site.

This house is typical of suburban houses of Belmont and lower Laventille from the early part of the twentieth century designed by George Brown, with his distinctive floor plan, strict discipline, steep gables and elaborate fretwork. Brown's designs effectively allowed for cooling by extended and low eaves and good cross-ventilation internally through high level fretwork panels.

George Brown was Trinidad's great nineteenth century architect. Brown studied at the Glasgow Anthenaeum where he qualified as a builder/architect in the late 1870's.  He joined the firm of Gregor Turnbull and Company of Glasgow and was sent to Trinidad in June 1883. His designs reflect his Scottish origins, incorporating decorative fretwork from woodworking machines from factories he established in Port of Spain in 1891.

He introduced cast iron work from foundries in Glasgow after the "Great Fire of Port of Spain" devastated much of Marine Square (now Independence Square) and lower Frederick Street, Port of Spain's central square and main commercial street. George Brown redesigned the area in a distinctive style of balconies with cast iron balustrading extending over the pavements, decorative fretwork to the gables and eaves of the buildings, and large central atriums with high clerestory windows which provided not only light, but cross-ventilation to the interior of the buildings.

George Brown returned to Scotland in 1920 where he retired to cultivate vegetables and flowers until his death in 1936.

There has been recent speculation that Trinidad's architecture was the major influence on the "French Creole" architecture of the Southern United States, in particular in New Orleans, through the exportation of George Brown's fretwork. It has generally been assumed that the influence was the other way around. Certainly, Brown's influence can be seen throughout the Caribbean.
 
Aluminium Smelter Plant - Vessigny Beach Print E-mail
Written by Geoffrey MacLean   

Trinidad and Tobago's High Court ruled in favour of the people of La Brea when it quashed the Certificate of Environmental Clearance issued by the Environmental Management Authority for the Aluminium Smelter Plant.

See:
 
Rudylynn De Four Roberts - Strabon Workshop - Saint Lucia Print E-mail
Written by Strabon Caribbean   

Rudylynn De Four Roberts was born in the United States when her father was a student studying Engineering. She returned to Trinidad and Tobago when she was five years old and attended Holy Name Convent. Later she attended Howard University where she gained a Degree in Architecture.

De Four Roberts is a Registered Architect of Trinidad and Tobago and is best known for her historic restoration work. She was Head of the Trinidad and Tobago Government's Historical Restoration Unit a post she held for eighteen years. She is one of Trinidad and Tobago's leading experts on Architectural Patrimony.

De Four Roberts is a Past President and Fellow of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects, Vice President and Fellow - Americas of the Commonwealth Association of Architects and is presently a Member Advisory Board to the Caribbean School of Architecture in Jamaica. Her formal appointments include Cabinet Appointed Board Member, Board of Architecture, Council Member to the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago - 2000 to 2008, Cabinet Appointed Savannah Management Committee, Cabinet Appointed Restoration Action Committee and Cabinet Appointed Archaeological Committee. She is also a Member of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

De Four Roberts' Awards include Progressive Architecture 26th Awards Program, American Express - Historic Preservation Award 1992 for Knowsley, Ministry of Works and Transport Award - Restoration of White Hall.
 
History of Trinidad and Tobago Print E-mail
Written by Geoffrey MacLean   

Trinidad and Tobago are the two most southerly islands in the Caribbean, within sight of the South American mainland. A twin island Republic, they form one of the most culturally diverse and ethnically mixed societies in the world.

Iere - Land of the Hummingbird - as Trinidad was called by the Caribs, was discovered on 01 August 1498 by Christopher Columbus. Renaming it Trinidad he claimed it for Spain. The unfriendly Amerindian population and ease of access to marauders from the South American mainland discouraged serious colonisation by Spain.

In the mid-eighteenth century, the Spanish Government encouraged immigration in order to develop Trinidad. The Cedula of Population of 1773 gave free grants of land to settlers provided only that they were Roman Catholic. The incentive encouraged the immigration of hundreds of families and their slaves, mainly from the revolution torn French islands and a few Irish families. Progress was rapid and Port of Spain developed as the capital and San Fernando a thriving port serving the sugar plantations of the south.

The Spanish defences were, however, inadequate and when in 1797 Sir Ralph Abercromby commanding a British naval force, arrived in the Gulf of Paria, the Commander of the Spanish fleet destroyed his ships rather than fight and the Spanish Governor capitulated. Trinidad became a British colony ruled by Spanish law with a French and African population.

In 1834 slavery was abolished. The resulting shortage of labour would have caused the collapse of the agricultural economy but for the introduction of indentured labour from Ireland, Portugal and China, but particularly from India. This importation of labour continued from 1845 to 1917. During this period, the religious, social and cultural heritage of India was superimposed on Trinidad's already diverse population. By 1980 nearly half of Trinidad and Tobago's population was Indian, equal in number to those of African decent.

In 1857 the first oil well was drilled in Trinidad, but it was only in the early part of the twentieth century that this resource was exploited and Trinidad's economy changed from agricultural to petroleum.

Tobago's history is very similar to Trinidad's being discovered by Columbus on the same voyage. Inhabited by Caribs and Arawaks, it was known as Kairi - the Melancholy. Later it became known by the Spanish as Tobaco later corrupted to Tobago. Because of its strategic position, Tobago was fought over by the Spanish, the Dutch, the Courlanders, the British and the French until 1763 when it was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris. It is said that Tobago changed hands more often than any other Caribbean island.

Tobago joined Trinidad administratively in 1889 and as part of the twin island Crown Colony in 1899. Independence was gained in 1962 and Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic within the British Commonwealth in 1976. In 1980 Tobago was given the responsibility for its internal affairs with a separate House of Assembly elected by popular vote.

Trinidad and Tobago have pursued different yet complimentary paths. In Tobago fishing and agriculture have traditionally been the main sources of revenue, but it is also a vacationer's paradise with its friendly people, beautiful and unspoilt beaches, coral reefs and marine life, mountains and one of largest variety of tropical birds in the world. In September each year there is the Festival of Tobago Heritage recapturing the richness and colour of traditional life. Trinidad, with an economy based on petroleum and natural gas became the centre for industry, but with its beautiful beaches, swamps and bird sanctuaries, also provides excellent natural heritage sites for a thriving tourist industry.

Traditions and religious beliefs from each cultural group have been handed down over the generations, ranging from the Afro-Catholic Carnival and Canboulay, folk dancing, calypsos and stick-fighting of the slaves to the Pagwa and Divali celebrations of the Hindus, the Muslim's Eid ul Fitr  and Hosay and the Spanish-Carib parang music. All are recognized as part of Trinidad and Tobago's heritage. It is also not uncommon to see an Afro -Trinidadian beating tassa drums, an Indian calypsonian or even Dvorak being played on steel pans as our cultures blend.

Trinidad and Tobago's architectural heritage ranges from religious structures - churches, mosques and mandirs - to neo-classical Government buildings and urban structures from the nineteenth century with cast iron balustrades and delicate wooden fretwork. Around the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain are the eccentric early twentieth century mansions of the wealthy businessmen and planters with designs reflecting the cultural influences of the owners - English, French, Moorish, Indian and German among others.

Geoffrey MacLean
11 May 2009