Location:<\/strong> Versailles, West Bank Demerara

Classification:<\/strong> Religious

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> Early 20th century

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>The Versailles Shivala is one of the oldest Hindu Shivalas in the country. The Shivala is located in the community of Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara within the compound of the Versailles Hindu Temple. During the early 1900s, Hindus living on Plantation Versailles requested from the estate manager a plot of land to build a temple. Permission was granted, and a plot of land that was originally a part of Plantation Malgre Tout was allocated for the temple. A wooden temple with a mud floor, along with the Shivala, a temple for Lord Shiva, was constructed and used by the Hindu plantation workers.

The Shivala was constructed using masonry materials, and once completed, the structure consisted of a tall, conical-shaped roof and an octagonal enclosure plastered with cement and painted white. Additional architectural features of the Shivala include its sikhara, garbagriha, fenestrations of windows, and arched openings similar to trefoil arches. In addition to a statue of Lord Shiva being housed in the Shivala, a stone lingam is also housed there. The Shivala is still being used by devotees who would usually throw dhar to Lord Shiva during the early morning periods. The current main temple is a wooden and concrete structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Versailles Shivala","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"versailles-shivala","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-07 03:38:15","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-07 03:38:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652561","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652558,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 03:27:57","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:27:57","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Eastern & Western Banks of Demerara

Classification:<\/strong> Civil Infrastructure

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> 1978

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>The Demerara Harbour Bridge connects West Demerara from Versailles and East Demerara from Peter\u2019s Hall. It was built across the Demerara River at one of the river\u2019s widest points. The bridge is the third built structure to span the Demerara River.

Hope and Mackenzie-Wismar Bridges, both in Region Ten, were the first and second to do so, respectively. However, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is the only floating bridge to span the Demerara River. The first substantial step in bridging the Demerara River near Georgetown occurred on May 23, 1952, when the Legislative Council, by a majority of 12 votes to 9, approved a motion introduced by Honourable Captain J.P. Coglan. Construction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge started in 1976.

Completed a week before its ceremonial opening, the structure was declared opened on July 2, 1978, by Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The estimated cost of the bridge ranged between $4 million and $10 million, but once completed, the structure cost the government approximately $40 million.

The 1.85-kilometre (6,078 feet) long bridge consists of 61 spans of floats of varied lengths on 122 steel pontoons, making it the fifth longest floating bridge in the world as of 2016. It was built using approximately 80,000 tonnes of steel that was soldered and moulded together by mostly Guyanese labour. Once completed, it was believed that the structure would have a life span of just 10 years, but as of 2017, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is 38 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Demerara Harbour Bridge","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"demerara-harbour-bridge","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 03:27:57","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:27:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652558","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652555,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 03:20:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:20:07","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Hog Island, Essequibo

Classification:<\/strong> Historic Site (Civil Infrastructure)

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> Circa 1768

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>Hog Island Windmill is located on the eastern side of Hog Island, approximately 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) from the mouth of the Essequibo River. This 18th-century structure was the third windmill built by the Dutch during their occupancy of the Essequibo region. The first windmill was located near Plantation Nieuw Walcheren (New Walgeren) on the left bank of the Essequibo River; it was built in the 1740s.

The second windmill was completed in 1763 on Plantation Duynenburg, which was located on the western section of Flag Island (Fort Island). This windmill was constructed in conformity with those in the West Indies and was described as the fourth best in the Caribbean. The structure did not function for long since it was plagued with a number of problems, which included inadequate wind flow.

Circa 1768, Hog Island Windmill was built on Plantation Luyksberg. The windmill was 11 meters (36 feet) in height and sat on a 1.8 meter (6 feet) high mound. It had a ramp that measured 14 meters (46 feet) in length. The wall of the windmill was 76 centimetres (30 inches) thick. It is assumed that the windmill was built with clay bricks that originated from Fort Kyk-Over-Al. The structure, which was designed similarly to the one on Plantation Duynenburg, suffered the same fate as its predecessor. The Dutch West India Company (DWIC) later abandoned the concept of windmills on their plantations.

In 1977, what remained of the structure was discovered by a group of University of Guyana students visiting the Hog Island area on an off-campus training exercise. The windmill was 209 years old at the time of its discovery and was said to be on a 1.8-meter (6 feet) high mound, with a cylindrical structure on top, approximately 8.5 meters (28 feet) high. In recent years, the National Trust, through its conservation efforts, has rehabilitated the windmill, allowing it to evolve into a visitor-friendly heritage site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Hog Island Windmill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"hog-island-windmill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 03:20:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:20:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652555","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652552,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 03:12:15","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:12:15","post_content":"\n

Location: <\/strong>Leguan Island, Essequibo River

Classification:<\/strong> Religious

Period\/Year Built: <\/strong>Foundation stone laid 1853; consecrated 1855.

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>St. Peter\u2019s Anglican Church was established circa 1827 by Reverend John Tucker and is located in the community of Enterprise on Leguan Island. The current structure is the second of two churches to be built on the site. The first church was completed by December 9, 1827, but prior to its erection, church services were held under a clump of bamboo trees near the church site.

By the late 1840s, the church was in a dilapidated state, and calls were made for a new structure to be built. With Reverend F.J. Wyatt\u2019s appointment as rector of St. Paul, in October 1853, the desire for a new church gained momentum. The foundation stone for the second and current building was laid on August 1, 1853, by the Lieutenant-Governor of British Guiana, Mr. William Walker.

The erection of the church was placed under the supervision of a building committee that comprised Reverend F.J. Wyatt, Dr. Edward G. Boughton, and Mr. Thomas Clarke. St. Peter\u2019s Anglican Church was designed by Colonial Civil Engineer Mr. J.F. Bourne under the oversight of Reverend Wyatt and Dr. Boughton. It was constructed at a cost of \u00a32,500, of which \u00a31,000 was contributed by the Colonial Legislature.

The remaining sum was contributed by private individuals and the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. The church was built of bricks, and the roof was covered with wallaba shingles. Other features of the church include a detached bell tower surmounted by an octagonal brick spire, pointed-arch stained glass windows, and the apse, which illustrates the life events of St. Peter.

St. Peter\u2019s Anglican Church was consecrated on St. Peter\u2019s Day, on June 29, 1855, by Anglican Bishop William Piercy Austin in the presence of the colony Governor, Mr. Philip. E. Wodehouse; the Governor\u2019s Secretary; the Chief Justice; members of the Court of Policy; and other prominent individuals. The wallaba shingles of the roof were later replaced with metal sheeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"St. Peter\u2019s Anglican Church","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"st-peters-anglican-church","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 03:12:15","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 03:12:15","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652552","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652549,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 01:44:33","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:44:33","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Fort Island, Essequibo

Classification:<\/strong> Historic Site (Community)

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> Circa 1752

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>The Dutch Heritage Museum is located in the historic Dutch building formerly known as the Court of Policy and Church Building on Fort Island, approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the mouth of the Essequibo River. The museum, which provides a meaningful contribution to the country\u2019s cultural heritage sector, was opened on February 19, 2007, by the National Trust of Guyana. In its collections are a number of artefacts unearthed from the colonies of Essequibo, Berbice, & Demerara, along with a number of maps and exhibition panels, all of which aid in highlighting the relationships the Dutch had with the indigenous Indians and the enslaved Africans.

The Court of Policy and Church Building, commonly referred to as the Court of Policy Hall, was completed in circa 1752. This single-storey brick structure was built with three compartments. The centre room held church services. The northern chamber held the proceedings of the Court of Policy while the southern room held the Consistory. The Consistory was later adapted as a vendue (auction) office, primarily for the sale of slaves.

Laurens Storm van\u2019s Gravesande, the Dutch Commandeur of Fort Island, is accredited with the construction of the building. In 1744, he petitioned the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) to build a church in close proximity to the fort. By 1748, the fort, known then as Flag Island, was made the Dutch capital of Essequibo after Fort Kyk-Over-Al was considered too small; it, however, was still without a proper church. Gravesande later received approval to construct a church in 1750; however, the structure was to serve as a church, Court of Policy, and colony prison.
By 1796, the Dutch lost control of Essequibo and Demerara to the British, and by 1812, the capital was moved to Stabroek, Demerara, near the mouth of the Demerara River.

The building\u2019s condition deteriorated significantly over the centuries, and in 1999, it was gazetted as a National Monument along with Fort Zeelandia. The building was gradually restored throughout the years by the National Trust and is Guyana\u2019s oldest non-military structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Dutch Heritage Museum (Court of Policy)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"dutch-heritage-museum-court-of-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 01:44:33","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:44:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652549","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652546,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 01:39:58","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:39:58","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Fort Island, Essequibo River

Classification: <\/strong>Historic Site (Military)

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> 1744

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>Fort Zeelandia, a National Monument, is located approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the mouth of the Essequibo River on Fort Island. The history of the fort can be traced back to circa 1679, when Abraham Beekman, a Dutch Commandeur, saw the need for a fort on the island known then as Flag Island. The first fortified structure was built using timber and was near completion by September 1687. During this period, Fort Kyk-Over-Al, which is located further upriver, was the capital of Essequibo.

A petition to construct a brick fort was laid in 1710, but due to conflicts between Commandeur Peter Van der Heyden and private planters on the island, the petition was abandoned. The proposal for a brick fort was not revisited until Laurens Storm van\u2019s Gravesande arrived in the colony and was appointed secretary to Commandeur Hermanus Gelskerke in August 1738. In his first petition for a new fort, Gravesande stated that the existing wooden structure could not be used. He further elaborated his statement by mentioning that after a few new palisades were installed, the older ones began falling to pieces, thus making rehabilitation unfeasible.

In 1739, the Dutch trading outpost at Fort Kyk-Over-Al was considered too small to house the capital. Flag Island received renewed attention after a Court of Justice meeting was held on the Island on October 5, 1739. In 1742, Gravesande was appointed Commandeur of the Island, and during this period he made another petition for a new fort, for which he received approval. Gravesande indicated that the fort could be completed in two years, and as promised, the fort was completed in 1744 and was named Fort Zeelandia.

Fort Zeelandia was considered strong for a small colony like Essequibo. It was described as quadrangle in shape, with 18-19 guns and four ramparts. Inside of the fort were three covered masonry redoubts with flat roofs and embrasures. There was also a horn-work lined with palisades and armed with 12 guns along with an armoury. Studies have indicated that the fort was built in conformity with lozenge-shaped forts constructed along the coast of West Africa in the 18th century. By 1748, Fort Kyk-Over-Al was abandoned and the Dutch capital moved to Flag Island. The island was renamed in 1775.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Fort Zeelandia","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"fort-zeelandia","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 01:39:58","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:39:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652546","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652543,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 01:33:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:33:45","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Queenstown, Essequibo Coast

Classification:<\/strong> Religious

Period\/Year Built:<\/strong> Established 1842

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>St. Bartholomew Anglican Church is located in the community of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, some 28 kilometres (17.4 miles) from Supenaam. This village was the first in Essequibo to be bought by former slaves in 1841. The church was established in 1842, and the building was completed in November 1843. St. Bartholomew was not consecrated until October 24, 1859.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interior of the church is considered similar in design to that of a slave ship. This feature many historians believed was intentionally done by the ex-slaves who built the church. The church has been rehabilitated throughout the years, but the principal structure remains the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"St. Bartholomew Anglican Church","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"st-bartholomew-anglican-church","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 01:33:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:33:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652543","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":652540,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2025-03-05 01:27:44","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:27:44","post_content":"\n

Location:<\/strong> Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast

Classification: <\/strong>Commemorative Monument

Period\/Year Built: <\/strong>1988

Historical Background \/ Description:
<\/strong>Damon Monument is located at Damon Square in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. The monument was built in recognition of the 28-year-old, mulatto domestic servant, Damon, who lived on Plantation Richmond, which was owned by Mr. Charles Bean. The structure was designed by Guyanese sculptor Mr. Ivor Thom and was unveiled by Prime Minister Hamilton Green on July 31, 1988, to mark the 150th anniversary of Emancipation.

It was funded by the Government of Guyana and was referred to as a monument of inspiration to all Guyanese people by Dr. Ptolemy Reid. The statue sits on a giant chair made of bronze and lies on a concrete plinth. The overall weight of the structure is 3,000 kilograms (3 tonnes) with a total height of 2.7 meters (9 feet).

Mr. Charles Bean was known for his notorious behaviour in the Essequibo colony, and his attitude did not change even after apprenticeship was introduced on August 1, 1834, to replace slavery. On August 3, 1834, Mr. Bean, along with other planters, went on a shooting spree, killing between 30-60 pigs on his Richmond plantation under the claim that the animals were destroying his young sugar cane crops. His actions caused some amount of distress to the livelihood of the servants living on the plantation.

This eventually led to a 10-day\u2019 standoff in the Trinity Church compound between leader Damon and Mr. Bean. In the end, Damon, who was addressed as \u201cCaptain,\u201d along with his other counterparts, Adonis and Chance of Plantation Richmond; Billy of Plantation Exmouth; Fothergill of Plantation La Bell Alliance; Frederick of Plantation Devonshire; and Peter of Plantation Coffee Grove, were later arrested for inciting a riot. Mr. Bean was the owner of most of the plantations.

At the trial, all of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of inciting a riot that caused great distress and disturbance. Sentence was passed by Chief Justice Charles Wray to have Damon executed. On October 13, 1834, he was executed, and his body was hung in front of the newly constructed Public Buildings (Parliament Building) to send a stern message to the other servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Image and information courtesy of the National Trust of Guyana.)<\/p>\n","post_title":"Damon Monument","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"damon-monument","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 01:27:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 01:27:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/logix123.com\/eldorado2\/?p=652540","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_4"};

March 5, 2025

Monuments

Boerasirie Bridge

March 5, 2025

Monuments

St. Swithin’s Anglican Church

March 5, 2025

Versailles Shivala

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Versailles, West Bank DemeraraClassification: ReligiousPeriod/Year Built: Early 20th centuryHistorical Background / Description:The Versailles Shivala is one of the oldest...

Demerara Harbour Bridge

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Eastern & Western Banks of DemeraraClassification: Civil InfrastructurePeriod/Year Built: 1978Historical Background / Description:The Demerara Harbour Bridge connects West Demerara...

Hog Island Windmill

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Hog Island, EssequiboClassification: Historic Site (Civil Infrastructure)Period/Year Built: Circa 1768Historical Background / Description:Hog Island Windmill is located on the...

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Leguan Island, Essequibo RiverClassification: ReligiousPeriod/Year Built: Foundation stone laid 1853; consecrated 1855.Historical Background / Description:St. Peter’s Anglican Church was...

Dutch Heritage Museum (Court of Policy)

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Fort Island, EssequiboClassification: Historic Site (Community)Period/Year Built: Circa 1752Historical Background / Description:The Dutch Heritage Museum is located in the...

Fort Zeelandia

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Fort Island, Essequibo RiverClassification: Historic Site (Military)Period/Year Built: 1744Historical Background / Description:Fort Zeelandia, a National Monument, is located approximately...

St. Bartholomew Anglican Church

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Queenstown, Essequibo CoastClassification: ReligiousPeriod/Year Built: Established 1842Historical Background / Description:St. Bartholomew Anglican Church is located in the community of...

Damon Monument

by The El Dorado Beacon

March 5, 2025

0

Location: Anna Regina, Essequibo CoastClassification: Commemorative MonumentPeriod/Year Built: 1988Historical Background / Description:Damon Monument is located at Damon Square in Anna...

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