Conservation Team Works on Errol Barrow Monument Ahead of Bank Holiday - Bridgetown, Barbados
Posted by: 
denben
N 13° 05.737 W 059° 36.802
21P E 216623 N 1449174
The statue of Errol Walton Barrow, the Father of Independence, was unveiled on Sunday 21st January 2007 in the refurbished Independence Square, an area that for many years had been one of his favourite political platforms.
Waymark Code: WM17Z7K
Location: Barbados
Date Posted: 04/25/2023
Views: 0
This January 21, 2023 Loop News article reads: "Ahead of Errol Barbados Day, four Barbadian organisations have partnered to preserve the statue of the Father of Independence.
The Barbados Museum and Historical Society (BMHS), the National Conservation Commission (NCC), the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc (BTII) and the Barbados National Art Gallery (BNAG) and a specialist sculpture conservation consultant from Puerto Rico led the efforts at the Independence Square, Bridgetown this week.
Created by artist Ricky George and unveiled on Errol Barrow Day in 2007, this larger-than-life Bronze statue stands approximately 9ft tall on a 7ft granite plinth. Although its location creates an attractive centerpiece for the bustling city, its materials are left vulnerable to the tropical elements of sun, ultraviolet light and sea sprays. Outdoor sculptures of metal in the tropics and near the sea have to be maintained regularly and professionally to avoid damage from the elements since these elements present a unique set of challenges for the preservation of the sculpture.
The National Conservation Commission (NCC) is tasked with the maintenance of all of the sites and national monuments.
Head of Conservation and Collection Care at the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, Anne Bancroft who was on site to manage the preservation process explained that it is vital for outdoor metal to be maintained regularly and professionally, in order to avoid damage from the elements.
“Appropriate conservation treatments always take into account the historical integrity of the object in question. Everything we do is documented and re-treatable in order to preserve the landscape of our cultural heritage”.
This was not the only time that the sculpture has been treated. Director of the Barbados Museum, Ms Alissandra Cummins advised it was first cleaned in 2011 and half of the team that completed the regular work on it this year made up the original team.
“Consistency and familiarity with the process adds to the quality and the newer members of the team allow for succession and transferal of skills that aims to retain the skills and expertise on island.”
This first stage is being completed in time for Errol Barrow Day but will be followed up by an interventive treatment later in the year which will include it being “re- patinaed” refinishing the surface, after which this bronze and the other monuments are flagged for regular inspection and ongoing preventive treatments. Prevention is better than cure and in keeping with the mandate of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, the organization is proud to be a key stakeholder in the preservation project for the ‘Father of Independence’." (
visit link)
Note: Barbados has 13 national public holidays, commonly referred to locally as “Bank Holidays.” On these days, banks and businesses are typically closed.