George Washington House: A Journey into Colonial Barbados

George Washington House, located in Bridgetown, Barbados, is a beautifully restored 18th-century plantation house where a young George Washington and his ailing brother Lawrence resided in 1751. This is the only house outside the continental United States where the future first president of the United States ever lived. Washington's six-week stay in Barbados profoundly impacted his future leadership, military outlook, and worldview. The house, also known as Bush Hill House, has been meticulously restored and furnished to reflect a typical, yet not lavish, plantation residence of the mid-18th century. Visitors can explore the ground floor's period furnishings, offering a glimpse into the daily life of a wealthy Barbadian family during that era. The second floor houses an interactive museum that delves into the rich cultural heritage of the island during the 17th and 18th centuries, including its connection to the transatlantic slave trade. One of the highlights of a visit is the opportunity to explore a section of the historic Garrison Tunnels. These tunnels, originally built in the 1820s as a drainage system, were later adapted as escape routes for the British Garrison troops. Visitors can venture 200 feet into the subterranean corridor and learn about the military history of the area. A visit to George Washington House also includes a viewing of a 16-minute docudrama about George Washington's visit to Barbados. The on-site cafe serves a unique blend of Latin and Caribbean cuisines.