Dream House | A peek at Kew Park

A window to the past has suddenly been opened, and inquisitiveness impels us to peek inside and take a journey to the 17th century.

Kew Park, Bethel Town, Westmoreland, warmly extends open arms to us as it shares a part of its valuable history. Look yonder at an immense 939 acre property, with caves and an undulating green countryside, at the western boundary of the Great River Valley – climbing up to 1,500 feet above sea level.

Its Great House, overlooking the river valley, was built in the 1700s, and subsequently burnt to the ground by slave revolt in 1831. Reconstruction took place in 1856.

The secondary, an older and weathered house on the estate instantly has us forming an emotional attachment. The one being highlighted today, was originally a strategically sited hilltop fort built by the Spaniards in 1620. It's a part two – floor structure made from solid cut-stone, constituting two bedchambers, two bathrooms, parlour (living room), kitchen, and dining room sections. Its verandah, covered with a roofline rising to a peak, reflecting the mountains in the distance, bewitches, with views most eyes will never behold in a lifetime.

The homely inside, with its tray ceilings, polished hardwood floors, wood skirtings, and mouldings around door and window openings make a good impression, along with a treasure trove of antique pieces representing the golden era of English furniture making. Ignore the shadows fleeting past, or the quiet whispers from unknown sources. The friendly souls of the past inhabit here with mutual agreement alongside the present owners, Peter Williams (farmer), of the second house, and his sister Annabelle Williams (farmer), who resides in the Great House. It was their notorious ancestor, James Lawson Williams, who acquired Kew Park in 1850.

The outdoors of the secondary building boasts its own garden swimming pool. A tennis – court is also available for the tennis buffs among us.

As we continue to journey through time, we find to our utter surprise, that there is also the St Michael Church built in 1865, on the said land.

The incomparable plantation is an active, varied organic farm, with 300 years of cattle rearing, including pigs, sheep and chicken operations, with meat processing facilities.

There are several orchards, growing lychee, coconuts, ortanique and Arabica coffee, breadfruit, etc.

Lumber is harvested including cedar, mahoe and mahogany from which the sawn product is sold.

Once upon a time, there were 700 great houses across the island. Of that amount, only an extremely small number has survived until today. The Jamaica National Heritage Trust records only 30 of them! Kew Park has defiantly withstood the passage of time even in the face of tragedy. It will not be left in ruin, as the great majority of others.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com