Earlier this year I was taken to see Wranghams, a fine late eighteenth century house, secluded down a long drive above Sandy Bay, with a fine view of the hills to its front. It stands in three acres of now overgrown garden and orchards, sadly neglected by its owners, the St Helena Government.
Having seen the state of some of the other country houses on the island its current neglect was a matter of some concern. Houses on St Helena deteriorate very fast.
I was interested therefore to read last week on St Helena online that the newly elected Councillors, have thrown out a Government proposal to downgrade it from a listed Grade III to a Grade II building.
Wranghams has in the past had some unsympathetic alterations, but it could be restored to something approaching its original state, and it is encouraging that the new crop of Councillors are sensitive to such issues. I do hope that the means to save Wranghams will be found before it is too late.
St Helena's Country Houses
The country houses on St Helena mostly date from the latter part of the eighteenth to the early nineteenth century. They were built for the prominent, established families who held all the important positions during the days of the East India Company. At the apex was Plantation House, the country home of the Governor, the representative of the East India Company on the island.
These fine Georgian country houses, reflecting the aspirations, life styles and aesthetic tastes of St Helena's elite, are a vital part of the island's heritage, and an unique part also of British colonial history.
Of the remaining houses Bamboo Grove and Bamboo Hedge seem, from photgrapic evidence, not in imminent danger, although I would be surprised if they were in as good a state as Oakbank.
But Rock Rose, and sadly now Teutonic Hall, on which I have written before, look to be past the point of no return.
Rock Rose
Then there is the sad story of Rose Cottage. Earlier this year I got permission from a representative of the Thornton Trust to visit this remote house above Sandy Bay, close to Mount Pleasant.
Sad to say what remains of this once elegant house is not visible until you reach its walls. In fact you might miss it altogether, but for the bust of "The Man", the late G. A. D. 'Tony' Thornton, who was deported from the island by Governor Sir Thomas Oates in 1975.
During my stay this year I met two inhabitants who as children were taken to tea at this once fine house.
This provides a graphic illustration of what can happen quite quickly to houses that are neglected on St Helena.
This survey would not be complete without mention of Rosemary Hall on Francis Plain, perhaps the finest of them all, home of the Austrian and Russian Commissioners during the captivity of Napoleon.
This imposing house was destroyed in the early 1930's, reputedly a victim of the termites that have done so much damage to the buildings on the island since the 1840's, and which are now said to be threatening Wranghams.
A brief study of these houses, all built in a similar classical style, affords a unique insight into St Helena society at the height of East India Company rule. From the arrival of Napoleon things would never be the same again.
One final reflection is perhaps in order: clearly it would have been possible to have housed Napoleon in rather better circumstances than Longwood. Insofar as he ever expressed any preferences, Napoleon himself said he would wish to live in the more fertile part of the island, where of course most of the fine country houses were built. Clearly the inhospitable and isolated plain at Longwood was chosen for security reasons alone.
NOTE: Note: This blog has more photos than usual. I have decided to keep them small, but all may be enlarged if they are double clicked.
Those Georgian houses must have all been beautiful. But a few of the houses, eg Oaklands and Prospect House, look specifically designed to suit the conditions of St Helena. I wonder if the East India Company provided the architectural designs and the builders, or the owners made their own decisions.
ReplyDeleteHi Hels,
ReplyDeleteInteresting question. I won't even hazard a guess, but I will do a trawl through the Wirebird Magazine to see whether there is anything on colonial architecture and construction.
cheers
John
Great survey and pertinent selection of buildings, John.
ReplyDeleteVisitors seldom realize how difficult it is to maintain Longwood House situated within St-Helena worth weather condition area. Moreover, it stresses how fragile all those buildings are and how quickly decays occur.
Have just come across this blog on period houses on St Helena.
ReplyDeleteI am the owner of Teutonic but now reside in the UK.
Unfortunately time and weather have not been good to it and is well beyond repair.
However in earlier days there were grants from the Heritage society on the island in which I applied for
being turned down because I was at the time working on Ascension Island and so no entitled to any grant as
earning a fair wage on Ascension.
Other houses grade listed at the time and after all had the grant to help with the work needed even someone who at the time was
not an islander managed to get the grant. And guess what the person who is I believe still a member of the Heritage society wants to purchase the property...
So now you know why Teutonic is in such disrepair ! We have plans but not for the old house it is to far gone.
Hi Cyril,
ReplyDeleteIt is good to get your perspective on Teutonic. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case, it is very sad that this fine old house cannot be saved for future generations.
John