Great, Great Houses

Saturday - July 17, 2010

After a traditional meal of Ackee & Salt Fish, we were off again for more site seeing around Jamaica. On today’s agenda, the many great houses that survive on the north coast. First up was the Greenwood Great House. Full of historic artifacts and a tour guide who knew every detail, we were serenaded by a pipe organ and took in a great view from the veranda, where we are told you can see Cuba on a clear day. Then it was off to the infamous Great House at Rose Hall…. It was funny to compare the two interpretive approaches taken at these different houses. As I mentioned earlier Rose Hall rests on a myth celebrated in a Johnny Cash tune while Greenwood seems to serve as a final resting place for vintage furniture and musical instruments. Both provide unique insights into Jamaican history and how it is shared with visitors to the country.