The Nevis Heritage Village displays the dwellings of the Carib Indians and the progressive development of the traditional village settings of freed slaves. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

The island of Nevis was sighted by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Caribbean in the 1490’s. The island with its mountain capped with mist and clouds was named “Nuestro Senora de las Nieves” which means “Our Lady of the Snows”.

The Caribs, one of the first set of Amerindian groups to inhabit Nevis, named the island “Oualie,” land of beautiful water. By right of discovery, Spain laid claim to the island, but was more interested in the Greater Antilles.

The English, French and Dutch saw this as an opportunity to try to claim the island. Over the next century the ownership of the island passed between England and France. Then in 1628, the island was colonized by Thomas Warner, native of Britain, who later appointed Captain Anthony Hilton as the first governor of Nevis.

Local Historian, Theodore Kelly of the Nevisian Heritage Village reminds visitors that slavery in Nevis was abolished on August 1st, 1834. Nevis underwent many changes during the centuries that followed. The Federal Colony of the Leeward Isles was constituted in 1871, with Nevis being a member until 1882 when it ceased to be a single unit with its own legislature and was united with its sister island St. Kitts.

 Nevis continued to be part of the British colonial holdings until 1967 when it achieved Associated Statehood. On September 19, 1983, Nevis along with its sister island St. Kitts reached full independence as a Federated State.

Nevisian heritage village
The Nevisian Heritage Village mainly depicts the evolution of Nevisian social history through housing. Theodore Kelly indicated that the houses displayed date from the Carib Indian era. Replica Carib housing is displayed and furnished with antiques and relics of their relevant periods. 

Traditional villages are also displayed. Displays include the blacksmith’s shop, rum shop, and the shoemaker’s shop, along with the dwelling houses. Completing this traditional village setting are ‘backyard’ gardens, beautiful flower gardens and various species of indigenous plants and shrubs, some adorning the typical ‘estate yard’ ruins. Included is an area for animal rearing.

Historical architecture – The Bath Hotel now houses the Nevis Island Government
Built in 1778, the Bath Hotel was once a playground for the rich and famous, who came by ships from throughout the West Indies and Europe to Nevis to benefit from the therapeutic hot spring baths. Visitors included Lord Nelson, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Prince William Henry, who was the Duke of Clarence.  

John Huggins, a merchant and aristocrat, built the large, stone hotel at a cost of 43,000 “island” pounds, and surrounded it with lush landscaping and goldfish ponds. The hotel was 200 feet long and 60 feet wide.

With the downturn of the sugar industry, Nevis stepped into the world of tourism with this hotel, which flourished for about 60 years. Since then the hotel has had various uses, reopening as a hotel from 1912 until 1940. It was used as training center for the West Indian regiment during World War II.

Built in 1778, the Bath Hotel is now the office of the Premier of Nevis, Hon. Joseph Parry. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

The healing powers of the thermal springs
Within the compound of the remains of the Bath Hotel is the Spring House, a two-story masonry structure that was constructed from local hand cut stones. This building sits on the bank of the Bath Stream. The facility is comprised of five thermal baths whose source of water springs from the base of the house. The spring water is known for its mineral content considered of medicinal value and is said to have cured chronic rheumatism and gout. Its water temperature ranges from 104F to108F.

The Spring House was used by visitors and locals alike wishing to experience the healing powers of the water. The practice is revived through two new outdoor pools. The design allows water to filter in through layers of crushed stones through the bottom of the pool and overflow gradually through an overflow pipe down into the stream. This design maintains the water at the required temperature.

Plantations restored
Four sugar plantations have been restored and are now elegant inns. Each is unique in personality and style and all are nestled in the forest mountain atmosphere.

The Montpelier Plantation Inn is very British in style and demeanor, created from the ruins of the original plantation. Part of the Great House and the windmill are still on the grounds of the hotel.
The original planter’s house of the Hermitage Plantation Inn has been recreated throughout the property in smaller cottages built by the owners, Richard and Maureen Lupinacci. The original house was built in 1660 and is the one of three remaining earth fast houses in the Americas; the other two are in Virginia. 

Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

The Old Manor Hotel was built among the stone walls and remnants of buildings of the old estate, sugar machinery and ruins. A stone tunnel passes under the old sugar works and chimney. The estate had a birthing room on the property where slaves gave birth. 

The Golden Rock Plantation was built in 1801 by Edward Huggins, an ancestor of the current owner Pam Barry. The former sugar mill is now a guest suite, popular with honeymooners or families, and the former long house is now the dining room, library, and TV and game rooms.

The Nisbet Plantation Inn was once the family home of Fanny Nisbet, who married British Naval Admiral Horatio Nelson. This is the only plantation inn located on the beach, and was mainly for growing sugar cane followed by coconuts.