Last Sunday, I went to have a look at the renovated courtyard at Devon House. The makeover is not completed. But, already, I could get a sense of the big picture. The design is really quite elegant. Once the foliage grows up, the courtyard will be even more attractive than before. I overheard a man saying, “But it don’t look bad!”
I suspect that a lot of the people who are angry about the transformation have not actually visited the site. Their opinions have been influenced by reports swirling on the Internet and in the print media. Take, for instance, the rather melodramatic headline of last Tuesday’s Gleaner editorial: “The defacement of Devon House.” You would think that the entire grounds had been dug up.
The editorial created a strawman, apparently designed to provoke debate: “Thankfully, they did not start the ‘renovation’ on either the northern or western lawns. The grass may have been uprooted and old trees chopped down to be replaced with interlocking paving stones and vine-covered trestles.” There is no evidence that the managers of Devon House intend to dig up the grand lawns. But by suggesting that possibility, the Gleaner editorial fanned the flames of protest.
ENTIRELY REASONABLE
According to a press release issued in March this year by the Ministry of Tourism, “The new design will address a number of issues, including: uneven surfaces from tree roots in the vicinity; poor drainage, which leads to flooding when it rains; limited seating for patrons and structural damage to wooden columns and pergolas. Additionally, the current design of the area does not allow for ease of movement when traversing the various shops and restaurants in the courtyard.” All of this seems entirely reasonable.
The press release detailed the elements of the renovation work:
- A new entry structures (sic)
- Pergolas
- New paving and landscaping (including brick pavers[,] concrete walkways, kerbs, and planters;
- Lattice screen fencing and gates to service yard area;[ )]
- Reinforced concrete seat walls;
- Improved water supply (including relocation of existing fire hydrant and new hose bibs)
- Stormwater drainage
- Lighting installation
- Painting and finishing
This upgrade will certainly enhance the courtyard. I’ve seen people bucking dem toe on the uneven surface of the old walkways. Some patrons preferred to walk on the grass, despite the signs prohibiting defacement of the lawn.
UNDERSTANDABLE SUSPICION
The paving of the courtyard is, on the face of it, a very good development. But, beneath the surface, there is understandable suspicion. Many citizens now have absolutely no confidence that popular attractions like Devon House will remain open to the public at no cost. We have seen the way in which beaches have been privatised. It is only wealthy Jamaicans and tourists who can afford to go to our premier beaches like Puerto Seco.
Even rivers are now out of reach. Last week, I got a most distressing TikTok video in which an aggrieved man was complaining about loss of access: “Watch pon dem ya bomb, watch pon dem ya sitn ya, eeh! Dis ya lickle, one lickle river inna Sav-la-mar, weh di people dem come bathe an chill out, dem fence up ih. How much years dis ya lickle river ya deh ya. An all of a sudden now, dem come fence up ih, an a talk bout private property.
“Mi nuh know a wa a gwaan inna Jamaica. Seet deh! From mi a bwoy til now, wi a come a dis ya river ya … . When di people dem want a swim, weh dem fi go?” We do need to respect private property. But all Jamaicans should be entitled to enjoy the right to leisure. Which government ministry is going to assume responsibility for answering this man’s urgent question?
VISIONARY EDWARD SEAGA
A vexing issue for many of those who object to the renovation of the courtyard is the apparent destruction of the material heritage of Devon House. The mansion was built for George Stiebel in 1881. In 1923, the property was sold to Reginald Melhado. Then, in 1928, Cecil Lindo bought it. After he died in 1960, his wife Agnes moved to New York. Developers started eyeing the vacant property. They wanted to construct condominiums. These days, it would be multi-storey buildings.
Thanks to visionary Edward Seaga, Devon House was saved from demolition. He ensured that it was protected under the National Trust Act. The government bought the property in 1965. In 1974, it was turned into the National Gallery of Jamaica, which was opened by Michael Manley. The building and grounds were completely refurbished in 1982 and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II declared the restored mansion open. In 1990, Devon House became a national monument.
The private residence was transformed into a commercial enterprise for the public good. The jamaicagreathouses.com website confirms that, “The carriage house and blacksmith shop are now a restaurant and shops. The staff quarters have been converted to the Courtyard Shops. The Kitchen is today a bakery. The tennis court and the race track are now portions of the parking lot.” Devon House has been constantly renovated over almost a century and a half.
For me, the recent remodelling of the courtyard is not at all problematic. I am much more concerned about invasive multi-storey buildings in residential communities that violate long-established restrictive covenants. The current Jamaica Labour Party administration does not appear to be committed to preserving the material heritage of Jamaica. Edward Seaga must be rolling in his grave.
Jamaica Woman Tongue 
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