Be Inspired
the architectural brilliance of Devon House
House that George built
Y
ou are not truly a “Kingstonian” until you have been to Devon House. If youv’e never had a picnic in the grass, studied in its gazebo, rehearsed a school play on its lawn, eaten an ice cream cone from the shop, toured the great house, or taken pictures by its fountain or front steps, then you have never had the Devon House experience. And you probably had never wondered what life was like back in its heyday, when a mulatto named George Stiebel had the great idea and some may say “temerity” to believe that he could design and built his own mansion in that ‘whites only’ section of Kingston, much to the chagrin of his so called ‘Betters’. The most recognisable landmark in the capital city, this 11-acre property with its lush sprawling lawns, and ochre and white colonial mansion, provides an ambience that soothes both the mind and soul. The government of Jamaica bought this impressive structure in 1967 to originally house the National Gallery of Jamaica (which has since moved to its present downtown location near the waterfront). The house is now a heritage site, basking in its own magnificence, a testament to what one man can accomplish even in the face of adversity and discrimination. Oh, the scandal it must have been back then when Stiebel, as rich as he was, wanted to construct such a grandiose structure! Legend has it that Lady Musgrave, wife of then Governor of Jamaica, Lord Anthony Musgrave (after whom the famous medals are named) was most offended by this unwanted intrusion and to restore her faith in the correct order of society, her influential spouse cut Lady Musgrave I????????????????????????????????????????????????M???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????!?????M????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????A????9????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????()?????????????????????????????????????????????????????%?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!??????????????????????????????????????????????)???????9???????!??????Q????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????)??????????????????????????????????????????M????????????????????????!??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????%?????????????????????????????-???????????M??
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