The Garrison, just outside of Bridgetown, began with Charles Fort in 1650. Later in 1705 St. Ann's Fort, home to the Barbados Defence Force, was added equipped with it's vaulted underground magazines. The area is dominated by its historic horse race-track, located on the 30 acre parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. The Garrison area additionally contains many historic buildings including barracks for military personnel.

The Barbados Militia (Estab. 1640) is probably the oldest in the British Commonwealth, serving until British troops arrived in 1780. The Garrison was then established making it the second oldest garrison of it's kind.

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The West India Regiment was the first British Regiment of black soldiers, it was an infantry unit of the British Army recruited from and normally stationed in the British colonies of the Caribbean between 1795 and 1927, providing 132 years of service. The WIR was involved in a number of campaigns in the West Indies and Africa, and also took part in the First World War, where it served in the Middle East and East Africa.

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In 1856 a very striking uniform was adopted for the regiments modelled on that of the French Zouaves. It comprised a red fez wound about by a white turban, scarlet sleeveless jacket with elaborate yellow braiding worn over a long-sleeved white waistcoat, and dark blue voluminous breeches piped in yellow. This distinctive uniform was retained for full dress throughout the regiment until 1914 and by the band until disbandment in 1927. It survives as the full dress of the Barbados Defence Force Band.

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The National Cannon Collection, housed in St Ann's Fort, contains an excellent display including an Elizabethan cannon cast in 1600, the only one known to exist. A rare Commonwealth period gun circa 1652 is one of only two surviving Cromwell Republican arms cannons in existence. To date over 400 cannons have been unearthed in Barbados, several of these magnificent cannons are mouthed outside the Main Guard and look onto the Garrison Savannah.

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Buildings in this area were erected between 1780 and 1810 including the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, the splendid Main Guard and George Washington House (Bush Hill House).

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The Barbados Museum & Historical Society -

Housed in the former Military Prison and offers something for everyone - exhibits on social history, fine art, Afrian histroy and much more.

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The Main Guard -

Built in 1804 and located at what is approximately the center of the Garrison Historic Area, the Main Guard has a lovely clock tower and looks out over the original parade ground (Savannah). The clock was made by Dwerrihouse and Carter of London in 1803 and the coat of arms was added sometime between 1816 and 1837. The coat of arms is made of coade stone. Named after Mary Coade, who perfected its formula, this vitrified ceramic is more durable than stone and was poplar in Georgian times. The small guardhouse behind (to the north) was used to house prisoners during the courts martial carried out at the Main Guard. The building passed into private hands in 1906, to become the exclusive ‘Savannah Club’, during which time the gallery was added. It was purchased by the government in 1989 who undertook its renovation in 2000, where the original mechanism for the clock was replaced by a modern system and has provided quarter-hour chimes for the Garrison area ever since.

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George Washington House -

The young George Washington and his ailing brother Lawrence resided in this historic plantation house, also known as Bush Hill House, for two months in 1751. This fact alone should make a tour of George Washington House, the place where he stayed while in Barbados, a must-do activity for all visitors for the USA.

The house, now appropriately under the control of the Barbados National Trust, is also of interest to other visitors, including Barbadian, as it gives useful insights into life at that time.

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The Historic Garrison Area

A guided tour! This exciting excursion allows you to travel back in time, in air-conditioned comfort, through Barbados’ Historic Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to 1650, the site is thought to be home to the most intact, and authentic 18th and 19th century British Garrison complex in the world. See how the history of the Barbados Garrison was influenced by Cromwell, George Washington, and The American War of Independence!  See where a young George Washington, in 1751, was exposed to British military strategy as he inspected the nearby ‘Charles Fort’ (1650) and ‘St. Ann’s Fort’ (1707).  Learn how the Garrison, established in 1789, became the centre of British regional defence for more than 100 years.

 

The tour includes:

 

 

•  The famous George Washington House (c1717) where young George spent 6 weeks of his life.

• An exciting live video commentary from the recently rediscovered ‘Garrison tunnels’ (c1820).

• Charles Fort, built to protect Carlisle Bay from attack.

• The National Armoury Museum; a former Powder Magazine (c1800) which now houses for the World’s finest collection of 17th century English iron cannon.

• The Mess at St. Ann’s Fort for a drink and a snack (1 rum punch or 1 fruit punch ).

• A short visit to the Barbados Museum (military prison 1818-1905) gift shop.

• The ‘Changing of the Sentry’ (the Barbadian version of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace) at the Main Guard (1804).

 

Day of Tour:                    Every Friday.
Minimum number:          12.
Duration:                         3 hours (9.15 am – 12.15 pm).

Drink & snack: 1 rum punch or 1 fruit punch provided as well as a small snack.
Rates:                          US $48.00 Adult

                                     US $37.00 Child

The Garrison Historic Tour