George Washington House: A Glimpse into History

George Washington House, located in the Garrison Historic Area of Bridgetown, Barbados, offers a unique glimpse into the life of the future first U.S. President. This 18th-century Georgian-style house is the only residence outside the continental United States where George Washington ever lived. He stayed here for about two months in 1751 with his half-brother Lawrence, who was seeking a warm climate to recover from tuberculosis. Built around 1717, the house has been meticulously restored to reflect a typical, yet not lavish, plantation residence of the mid-18th century. Visitors can explore period-furnished rooms on the ground floor and an interactive museum on the second floor. The museum delves into the rich cultural heritage of the island during the 17th and 18th centuries, a time when Barbados was one of the wealthiest countries in the hemisphere. Included with admission, visitors can explore a section of the historic Garrison Tunnels, which were originally built as a drainage system in the 1820s and later used as escape routes for the British military. A visit to the air-conditioned cinema to view a 16-minute docudrama about George Washington's stay in Barbados is also included. The site is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.