| Many, many people will agree with me when I say | | | | window, just to mention a couple. These changes will |
| that Barbados is a beautiful island and there are many | | | | help you in distinguishing between the historic and |
| wonderful and fascinating places to visit there. There | | | | modern day Chattel Houses. |
| are places such as the George Washington House, | | | | Queen's Park |
| the beaches and Harrison Cave, just to mention a | | | | Queen's Park is one of the largest public parks in |
| few. | | | | Barbados and it was opened to the public on the 10 |
| However, while these places may be spoken of as a | | | | June 1909. Before it became a free public park, it |
| "must see" there are other attractions that may not | | | | was the residence of the commander of the British |
| be as popular, but they are nevertheless wonderful | | | | Troops stationed in the Caribbean and his house was |
| and fascinating. So, the next time that you are in | | | | formally known as King's House. |
| Barbados, observe and visit the two attractions that | | | | There are many well placed and cared for trees |
| I am about to mention and see if you agree. | | | | growing in the park. One of these trees is called the |
| Chattel Houses | | | | Baobab and it is said to be as old as one thousand |
| Chattel Houses can be seen all over Barbados, and | | | | years. Under this historic tree, is a children's |
| plantation workers were the first people to built | | | | playground. |
| Chattel Houses there. These houses, which were | | | | This park also housed a fountain and a playing ground |
| mainly built out of wood, were placed on a | | | | where various clubs and team members practice their |
| foundation of loose (unsealed) blocks/stones. The | | | | sports. The West Indies Cricket Team and visiting |
| roof was built out of galvanized corrugated metal and | | | | cricket teams uses this ground to practice before a |
| the windows were built with shutters that help to | | | | game. |
| protect the home during a hurricane. | | | | There are also many more attractions in the park, |
| One of the fascinating things about these houses is | | | | including Queen's Park House, which is home to a |
| that they can be disassembled and reassembled | | | | theatre and an art gallery. |
| somewhere else. The history behind these moveable | | | | You can enter and exit the park on foot from St. |
| homes is that the land they were placed on did not | | | | Michael's Row and Weymouth but if travelling by |
| belong to the homeowner. Therefore, if for some | | | | vehicle, you can only enter and exit via Weymouth. |
| reason they were told to "get off" of the land, they | | | | So, as you walk through, or take a seat in the park, |
| can take their house with them to another location. | | | | do not "fight" against the cooling breeze that will |
| Today in Barbados however, when these houses are | | | | engulf you. |
| built there are some changes to the foundation and | | | | |