The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It seems appropriate that the historic Collins House, also known as Centreville House, on Shirley Street, is to be the site for the upcoming International Culture Wine & Food Festival on the 22nd and 23rd of October.

I say this because the renovation of the grounds, commenced March 30th 2009 and completed three months later, was done with the intention of providing a useable public space for Bahamians to enjoy within a cultural and historical reference. Many hands worked together on this project which was started by Orjan Lindroth of Lindroth Development Company and Schooner Bay, Abaco, together with Antonius Roberts, artist and conservationist, the designer of the green space; their aim being to renovate both the house and the garden under the auspices of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museum Corporation.

The vision and direction of this project was built on a foundation of several important guiding principles: to make it a community project; to create a city park accessible to and for Bahamians; to reflect and preserve aspects of Bahamian history that belong uniquely to these islands and to maximise the use of native wood, plants and trees and observe a ‘green’ philosophy by recyling organic material and mulching it back into the earth. All of the guidelines were adhered to - I know this because I kept a daily record of the proceedings. Although it is now 14 years since then I think the many people, contractors, artists, artisans, children, individuals and businesses who participated in resurrecting history deserve to be recognised for it was truly a commendable community effort, yet to be replicated.

This beautiful green space boasts a Pond with a Fountain, Sculpture Garden and a Labyrinth - perfect for a quiet reflective stroll. The stones painted by many schoolchildren form a giant Turtle and Madeira benches were placed at intervals around the encircling path. Orjan Lindroth facilitated the donation of a massive boulder from the New Providence Development Company placed close to the entrance from Shirley Street and a smaller boulder was placed on the easterly side of the main driveway, nestled into a sandy area surrounded by low growing shrubs and vines. At the southerly end of the property a herb garden in the form of an Hutea abuts the space designated as a Children’s Play area. This included the existing giant Rubber Tree but graced with wooden swings and benches and amphitheatre style seating for parents to watch their children play in a safe environment. The intention was that in the future, audiences could watch musical or dramatic performances on the main lawn. Wouldn’t it be amazing if more quiet spaces or gardens could be created in the heart of Nassau for everyone, including tourists, to enjoy - I am sure there are many possibilities, smaller ones, such as the derelict Pink House, recently destroyed by fire and subsequently taken down along with the derelict house next door.

Everyone involved in the Collins House restoration went above and beyond their original scope of work and so many of the artists are now household names: Jason Bennett’s Earthstone Construction was responsible for the design, fabrication and implementation of the Pond and Sculpture Garden, restoring the original Fountain, the amphitheatre style seating and the perimeter pathway. Native Sun Nursery provided and planted trees, transported logs and donated crane time; Design Elements were the consulting Botanist and Landscapers; Rocky Farms and Fox Hill Nursery provided many of the native plants and shrubs as did private donors. Tony Mohabir, Master Carpenter, built the amazing Lucayan style Tree House and huts, drawing on his own native Guyanian and Indian heritage for authenticity; Robin Hardy milled some of the wood on site for the benches. Several artists created work specifically for the site. Antonius Roberts donated and installed his “Driftwood” sculpture; Jessica Colebrooke created ceramic tiles picturing Bahamian fish; Chantal Bethel carved a wooden bench in honour of her late father, a well respected agronomist in the country; Peter Bates of Signman adopted a plot next to Chantal’s bench as a memorial for his daughter; Tyrone Ferguson fabricateda bronze sundial; Lavar Munroe created a mural inspired by the Lucayan Indian heritage; John Cox and his summer students added hieroglyphics to the huts; many schoolchildren participated, painting local found stones that form the Turtle effigy in the ground.

The enthusiasm, love, pride, belief and energy invested in this project by everyone involved from experienced contractors, interested donors, contributing artists and children, is evidenced by the lasting quality of workmanship still to be seen and enjoyed today. A truly Bahamian experience.

VICTORIA SARNE

Nassau

October 19, 2022