Thanks for shedding light on the Devon House story. The information is valuable, and it has definitely clarified the origin and history of this famous house and its current transformation into a place for venues as you aptly describe with the term venue-ization, which, in essence, has rendered it devoid of its ecological and green space significance for the teeming city of Kingston, with the possible objective of promoting tourism...
Totally agree not a shred of aesthetic beauty remains of the courtyard. But hey if you want to sell tours to those on cruise ships the more busloads of people you can pack into the venue the better. Who cares if those who come feel ripped off and tell their friends when the return home " Don't bother." I was walking behind a group of 10 businessmen in Calgary, Alberta one day. The overheard conversation went like this. How was your Jamaica vacation? It was Ok, overpriced. Well actually I wouldn't recommend it. Mexico does it better!" Now this happens. Two Jamaican bad words just slipped out of my mouth.
Thank you, Diana. You know I agree with every word. We have so many happy memories of Devon House - the GARDEN - as a little chill out spot, with patties, ice cream and chats. It was a place to take a little breather. I also saw a lot of birds there as there were plenty of plants and green space, in addition to the comforting shade of the trees. I cannot IMAGINE what this will be like on a hot summer's day. Our memories go way back - 30 or 40 years - and now they are wiped out by interlocking pink and grey concrete bricks. The house no longer looks comfortably nested in tall green leaves and heliconias. I am so very sad. Oh, and angry too!
Thank you very much for speaking out on behalf of that young man and his sketch pad of houses he loved as he traveled the world who comeback with pockets full of gold he dug from the ground in Venezuela to find Mr. Lazarus and build that dream house .. that's another part of this wonderful story that has always inspired my interest in Devon House from I heard the story from a little lady under that 200 yr old hairy mango tree off the back lawn during the renovation. He kept his dream alive while working on those merchant ships around the world and came back to make his statement to the world .. a legacy extraordinaire .. worthy of its authenticity and protection of its perfection..Glowena
An architect friend mentioned that the style of Devon House was more South American than Jamaican Great House, so I too imagine the young man with his sketch pad.
What has happened to Devon House is a reflection of what has happened to Jamaican culture: all that seems to matter is the potential for making money. Instead of taking heed of the massive public outrage at the desecration of Devon House, the powers that be have doubled down on defending it. Thanks for adding your voice, Diana.
I was just there in October 2022 every time I’ve been to Jamaica my relatives took us there for ice cream and lobster patties. We were walking to go see the front of the house and we were politely told we couldn’t be in there. They never even mentioned that it was open for tours only. Personally I would have paid if we knew. Oh well maybe next time. I live in USA
All well noted. I’m less concerned with the courtyard as I am with the green space. I always found the courtyard extremely difficult to navigate with a lunch crowd including tourists. So I wouldn’t stay. But I had no idea the beautiful lawn was restricted now. My memories as a child are full of playing on the lawns and the little bridge with the turtles in the pond. I lived close by so I would ride my BMX there at least once a week to have grape nut ice cream from the exterior stall in front of the mansion. I actually didn’t spend any time at all inside at that time, because having all that lawn space to play was the attraction for me as a young boy.
Well, for me it's a heritage site as well as a green space, so that courtyard MEANT something... and the areas which can be enjoyed by the public as green space are shrinking.. thanks for the comment.
Well read article!
Thanks for shedding light on the Devon House story. The information is valuable, and it has definitely clarified the origin and history of this famous house and its current transformation into a place for venues as you aptly describe with the term venue-ization, which, in essence, has rendered it devoid of its ecological and green space significance for the teeming city of Kingston, with the possible objective of promoting tourism...
Such a shame.
Totally agree not a shred of aesthetic beauty remains of the courtyard. But hey if you want to sell tours to those on cruise ships the more busloads of people you can pack into the venue the better. Who cares if those who come feel ripped off and tell their friends when the return home " Don't bother." I was walking behind a group of 10 businessmen in Calgary, Alberta one day. The overheard conversation went like this. How was your Jamaica vacation? It was Ok, overpriced. Well actually I wouldn't recommend it. Mexico does it better!" Now this happens. Two Jamaican bad words just slipped out of my mouth.
Thank you, Diana. You know I agree with every word. We have so many happy memories of Devon House - the GARDEN - as a little chill out spot, with patties, ice cream and chats. It was a place to take a little breather. I also saw a lot of birds there as there were plenty of plants and green space, in addition to the comforting shade of the trees. I cannot IMAGINE what this will be like on a hot summer's day. Our memories go way back - 30 or 40 years - and now they are wiped out by interlocking pink and grey concrete bricks. The house no longer looks comfortably nested in tall green leaves and heliconias. I am so very sad. Oh, and angry too!
Thanks for posting, Emma.. yes, the heat will be an issue, I'm sure.
Thank you very much for speaking out on behalf of that young man and his sketch pad of houses he loved as he traveled the world who comeback with pockets full of gold he dug from the ground in Venezuela to find Mr. Lazarus and build that dream house .. that's another part of this wonderful story that has always inspired my interest in Devon House from I heard the story from a little lady under that 200 yr old hairy mango tree off the back lawn during the renovation. He kept his dream alive while working on those merchant ships around the world and came back to make his statement to the world .. a legacy extraordinaire .. worthy of its authenticity and protection of its perfection..Glowena
An architect friend mentioned that the style of Devon House was more South American than Jamaican Great House, so I too imagine the young man with his sketch pad.
What has happened to Devon House is a reflection of what has happened to Jamaican culture: all that seems to matter is the potential for making money. Instead of taking heed of the massive public outrage at the desecration of Devon House, the powers that be have doubled down on defending it. Thanks for adding your voice, Diana.
Thanks for the comment, Wendy. I fear the next set of hoardings might be on Lime Cay...
I was just there in October 2022 every time I’ve been to Jamaica my relatives took us there for ice cream and lobster patties. We were walking to go see the front of the house and we were politely told we couldn’t be in there. They never even mentioned that it was open for tours only. Personally I would have paid if we knew. Oh well maybe next time. I live in USA
Yeah. I really have a problem with this...
All well noted. I’m less concerned with the courtyard as I am with the green space. I always found the courtyard extremely difficult to navigate with a lunch crowd including tourists. So I wouldn’t stay. But I had no idea the beautiful lawn was restricted now. My memories as a child are full of playing on the lawns and the little bridge with the turtles in the pond. I lived close by so I would ride my BMX there at least once a week to have grape nut ice cream from the exterior stall in front of the mansion. I actually didn’t spend any time at all inside at that time, because having all that lawn space to play was the attraction for me as a young boy.
Well, for me it's a heritage site as well as a green space, so that courtyard MEANT something... and the areas which can be enjoyed by the public as green space are shrinking.. thanks for the comment.