The Anguilla Archeological and Historical Society is continuing its plans to construct a historic village at Crocus Hill in an effort to preserve some of the traditional architecture and artifacts which have now given way to modern buildings and household effects. The items are being stored in a container secured for the purpose and kept at the site.

The latest items acquired for preservation have come from a family home left by the late Wilfred and Audrey Daniel in the Valley, just down from the old cottage hospital building.
It is understood that the Daniels’ son-in-law in New Jersey was contemplating to carry out some renovation work on the house, but was advised by an architect that the great deal of reconstruction needed would have been a very costly undertaking. It was therefore decided to demolish the structure.

“We the Archeological Society were alerted to this and in fact we had our own survey done,” the Society’s President, Ailene Smith, said. “The architect said that the house was in a very much worse state than even Wallblake House which was recently renovated; so it would have indeed taken an enormous amount to put it together properly so Mr. Allen (the owner) decided he would just demolish the house.

“The Archeological Society was allowed to move in and rescue all the interesting architectural features which we have stored and hope to re-feature when we build the historic village on Crocus Hill which has been given planning permission.”

Mrs. Smith said the Society was looking for opportunities to secure all unused buildings as far as possible. “We are interested in all old houses, if they can be rescued and put together on site and to full use again,” she stated, explaining that the village would be designed in keeping with the surrounding historic area which includes the remains of the old court house and prison.

Asked to comment further on the plans for the historic village, Mrs. Smith said: “First of all, we plan to rescue the old court house and at the moment we are seeking the best photographs of it. Then we hope to seek funding in order to reconstruct it and use it as a museum – the Anguilla National Museum.”

She continued: “Across the road, which is also within the planning permission, we intend to rescue nine historic homes and these together would constitute an historic village which would be a huge tourism feature. Each house would have a change of use and there would be shops, perhaps a café and a small information centre and various other [facilities] where people can see local craft and view Anguilla as it was to the best of our knowledge.”

Apart from being President of the Anguilla Archeological and Historical Society, Mrs. Smith is a well known artist on the island.

Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Osbourne Fleming

Building stripped of traditional shutters

Offloading at the container at Crocus Hill

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