ST CLAIR – THIRTY properties are recommended for listing as heritage sites by the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago.
This was revealed by Minster of Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis and Chairman of the National Trust Margaret McDowall at ceremony at Briarend House, also known as Audrey Jeffers’ House in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday.
Robinson-Regis said, “To the property owners and caretakers, you are some of the fortunate few who can proudly boast that something under your care—built or maintained by you or by your organisation, where you have lived, worked, worshipped and admired—contributes in a very grand way to the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.
“The Ministry of Planning and Development, under which the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is incorporated, has been at the forefront of advocacy for promoting historic legacies, especially that which coheres with the thrust for modernisation providing links to our past, making us proud, or giving us pause to reflect and to improve our present.”
McDowall said, “Most of the properties are being investigated are brought to the attention of the Trust by the citizens and organisations.
“In addition, a major part of the process includes publication in the Gazette and three daily newspapers twice in the process as well as informing the owners of these assets so that they can have discussions with the Trust before the process is over.
“The Trust decided to have this event today at the time when the Notices to List are being signed for publication in the Gazette, as an ideal time to highlight the process to the general public and again reach out to the owners of these properties
“Now most of us think of Heritage as Cultural Heritage and as we amend our Act, we will need to get into that discussion.
“However as I am sure you will agree most monuments, fossils, places and sites of natural beauty are heavily influenced by our rich and varied culture.
“So while the National Trust focuses on the tangible aspects of heritage, it is very aware of the cultural influences and seek to record them in the dossiers.”
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She said the criteria that the National Trust uses for listing buildings were:
- Individual architectural merit;
- Historical associations, social and economic;
- Sociological interest;
- Technological innovation; association with well-known characters or events;
- Group value such as examples of town planning or community development.
McDowall said, “There are only 13 Listed Properties of Interest at this time and the National Trust cognisant of the major contribution that Heritage can provide both in terms of National Pride and Awareness and the development of a major Heritage Economy determined that it needed to increase the number of sites that the country can recognise.
“Over 60 sites were initially identified and more have been added to that list.
“However, the National Trust thought it best to get the first batch out for public awareness and recognition.
“The task of listing these 30 properties of interest that are presented today was an arduous one and I applaud the staff of the National Trust for the months of preparation and all those who worked tirelessly in the past week to ensure that this event could come off.”
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The 30 Properties of Interest for which the Notice to the Gazette has been prepared are:
- John’s (London) Baptist Church
- Conquerabia
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
- Trinidad Building and Loan Association Building
- Old Public Library (POS)
- Old Fire Station Building (POS)
- Old Police Headquarters (POS)
- The Red House
- Shiva Mandir, (Gasparillo)
- Arima Dial
- Exchange Village Shiv Mandir
- Petroglyphs, (Caurita Stone)
- Sarah Morton Dormitory
- The San Fernando Railway Station
- TGR No. 11 (Train Engine)
- Wild Fowl Trust
- Knollys Tunnel
- Sangre Grande Old Post Office
- Joseph R.C. Church, St. Joseph
- Laventille Water Trough
- Nelson Island
- 58 Piccadilly Street, Port-of-Spain
- The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
- Briarend (Audrey Jeffers House)
- Main Ridge Forest Reserve
- All Saints’ Anglican Church
- Francis of Assisi R.C. Church
- Boissiere House
- St Vincent Jetty Lighthouse
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