World Heritage Bid for Nevis Continues

The Heritage Experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) visited Nevis in early 2018 to assess our readiness to begin the Upstream Process for nominating particular sites in the City of Charlestown as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of the visit the ICOMOS Experts reported that Nevis does have merit in terms of the historical and cultural processes that took place on the island and within the region, including colonial occupation and settlement, fortification systems, the slave trade, the sugar cane industry, and the Jewish diaspora, and that many historical properties have retained sufficient integrity and authenticity to demonstrate their Outstanding Universal Value.

The Nevis World Heritage Committee reconvened in April 2019 to re-examine the ICOMOS Final Report with its 41 crucial recommendations on how to improve the Upstream Process experience. We felt it was not wise to lose this opportunity to persist and not give up on our dream of World Heritage status for Nevis. After much work and consultations it was decided, with the concurrence of ICOMOS experts in Paris, to reconfigure our project proposal. We are now requesting the assistance of qualified experts to review the revision of the existing tentative list of Charlestown to now embrace a series of 5/6/7 sites on the island of Nevis which the ICOMOS Experts reported have retained sufficient integrity and authenticity to express their value.

Nevis has great heritage. Probably the most concentrated heritage sites per capita in the Caribbean, and we are seeking for this to be recognized to enhance our economic NEVIS ISLAND ADMINISTRATION MINISTRY OF CULTURE Nevis World Heritage Committee c\o Ministry of Culture Nevis Island Administration Main Street Charlestown, Nevis development and quality of our tourism product for our people. The historical landmarks within our reconfigured proposal are:

The Bath Hotel and Bath House, considered the oldest hotel in the Caribbean, and which represents the earliest example of a tourist-centered economic enterprise in a region that is today largely dependent on tourism for its income;

• Historic Churches: The Churches provide evidence of a very diverse population that is reflected in their places of worship. Over the years, there has been a strong presence in the town of Anglicans, Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists, Jews, Moravians, Quakers and Huguenots.

Sugar Plantations: The New River Plantation is owned by Government, the two abandoned estates are of considerable interest to historians and archaeologists. The built cultural remains represent one of the most significant historical complexes to be found in the Caribbean. Representing the many elements of a sugar-based economy over more than 300 years.

• The Hermitage Plantation Inn was built around 1670 and reputed to be the oldest wooden home, in use, in the Caribbean. It is an example of earthfast house-a modest manager/estate house of early plantation period. The construction is mostly of lignum-vitae wood. The earthfast construction used at Hermitage was also used in Jamestown, Virginia, and in other American States such as, North Carolina and Maine. We have asked permission to resubmit our application, and with support and assistance from The Nevis Island Administration, Ambassador David Doyle, our Federation’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO and Dr. Everson Hull, our Federation’s Ambassador to the OAS, and with the full support of the Nevis Island Administration, our Minister of Culture, Hon. Eric Evelyn, our new application has been filed! Our goal is to be as transparent as we can as we move forward with this project.

We will be offering information to the communities, churches and in the schools about the why and how we are proceeding on this quest for World Heritage status. One of the main bi-products of our work is JOB CREATION for our citizens. The tourism industry is one of the largest industries in the world. The success of this project will surely create job opportunities, especially for our youth.

Our Committee is structured in terms of sub-committees which include Administrative, Public Relations & Education Outreach, Legal & Planning, Fundraising & Finance, Research & Technical, and Partnership & International Funding Solicitation.
Our current committee members are: :
Evelyn Henville Chairperson
Suzanne Gordon Vice Chair
John Guilbert Consultant & Administrative
Keith Glasgow Permanent Secretary Richard
Lupinacci President – NHCS
John Hanley Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
Sylvester Meade Heritage Officer
Curtis Morton Public Relations & Outreach
Marcia Myers Research/Technical
Dr. Glenville Liburd Research /Technical
Ken Evelyn Research,Bath Stream
Kevin Barrett Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Education
Alsted Pemberton Director,Sustainable Development Unit
Delroy Pinney Sustainable Development Unit
June Liburd-Browne Recording Secretary
Lillith Richards Department of Public Works
Patricia Claxton Chamber of Industry & Commerce
Ryan Khadou Department of Physical Planning
Rhonda Nisbett-Browne Legal Department

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