Friends of the Georgian Society of Jamaica

Falmouth Post Office

The Falmouth Post Office has been restored with the help of a substantial contribution from the FGSJ. Members of the Third Jamaica Georgian Tour (see events page) had the opportunity of attending the function held in Falmouth organised to mark the restoration. The Hon. Philip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology, unveiled exciting plans for the planned transformation of Jamaican post offices to meet the demands of the age of the Internet when he spoke at this function, which had been arranged by Dr. James Parrent, chair of the Falmouth chapter of the Georgian Society of Jamaica, and the Postal Corporation of Jamaica.. This was good news for the restored building's future and the occasion also broke new ground for the Georgian Society in being the first function to be honoured by the presence of a government minister.

Dr. Blossom O'Meally Nelson, Postmaster General, who won hearts with a lively speech, also outlined her plans for the establishment of a postal museum in the restored building. The Jamaican postal service has a long history, being the first to be introduced in a British colony.

The function was addressed also by the Custos of Trelawny, the Hon. Roylan Barrett, a stalwart and long time supporter of the preservation of historic Falmouth; His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Bartley and Dr. Patrick Harris, MP for Northern Trelawny. George Faria, President of the Georgian Society of Jamaica welcomed the visiting group from the FGSJ, and James Parrent gave a full account of the progress of the restoration. Two cultural items were presented, firstly by Antonett Henry and the Bellevue Primary and Junior High, and then by the Wakefield Tambu Dance Group. Both earned enthusiastic applause from the assembled company.

Dr. Pamela Beshoff, who attended with 15 other FGSJ members in on the third FGSJ Jamaica Georgian Tour, outlined their explorations in St. James, Hanover, Clarendon, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, St. Mary, St. Ann and Trelawny. She also pointed to the benefits the local business community might expect to reap were Falmouth to be transformed into a heritage site on the lines of Colonial Williamsburg in the United States. Other speakers touched on the need for a strategy for Falmouth now that the North Coast highway was by-passing the town and also took up the Willamsburg theme.

The local MP made the point that the establishment of a slave museum should form a part of the historical record in any heritage plan.

How restoration progressed to the finish
Market Street was, in nineteenth century Jamaica, the premier street of Falmouth. A Daguerrotype by Adolphe Duperley taken circa 1840 shows the street with a long line of Georgian houses on either side, including the Barrett House at No. 1.

Although many of the buildings are now in a poor state of repair, the street still maintains some of its early character through the examples of Jamaica Georgian architecture which remain.

If you are interested in making a donation to help with preserving the Georgian buildings in Jamaica please contact the treasurer of FGSJ.

The Postmistress General, Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, has written to thank the FGSJ for their substantial contribution towards the renovation.