T
The room Government House is a tribute
to the regal beauty of what is now called President's House, the
official residence of the President of our Republic, which sits
magnificently amidst the lush Botanic Gardens. Built using blue
limestone from the local Piccadilly and Laventille quarries, the
residence displays lofty arched doorways and Italian style loggias
and showcases the finest cast iron filigreed railings.
Occupied by the islands' Heads of State since 1820 the life of the
house itself speaks to the rich political history of our islands.
Its first inhabitant was Governor Sir Ralph Woodford and its
successive inhabitants have been Governor-Generals, when we were
part of the West Indies Federation, the first local Governor, Sir
Solomon Hochoy, and successive Presidents once we were officially
declared a Republic.
A stay in Government House is one of supreme comfort. As you sink
into the stately king size bed, you observe the archival images of
our past Governor Generals and visiting royalty. One particularly
interesting addition to your room are the old suitcases on the
cupboard once owned by Commander Bloom, Commander of the Trinidad
and Tobago Coast Guard in the early 1970's. Commander Bloom helped
quell the riots of 1970 by preventing the insurgents from leaving
the Chaguaramas area thereby weakening the protest in Port-of-Spain.
In the midst of historical memorabilia, like the framed emblem of
the Federation of the West Indies, and the writings by provocative
local political figures on the bookshelf beside your bed, you may be
inspired to consider a political life of your own. If you had the
opportunity to govern our islands, what might you do?
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