George Washington House, Bridgetown

George Washington House, Bridgetown (must see)

The George Washington House is a 18th century plantation home that was occupied by the man who would become the first President of the United States. It is located in the historic Garrison area of town, on the top of Bush Hill. At the age of 19, Washington lived in the house for two months in 1751. At that time, the house was called Bush House.

One thing that makes this house unique is more of a statement about Washington's life than the house. This is the only place and the only country that Washington visited during his lifetime outside of colonial America.

The two-story house is entirely restored and decorated as it would have been during Washington's stay in 1751. As a result, you see day-to-day furnishings like beds with mosquito netting, chairs, and basic crockery and cutlery. From these items, you can gain some fascinating insights into how people made do during that time.

The second floor hosts a more traditional museum, with items described by audio and visual aids. One display recounts Washington's fight with yellow fever while on the island and the third-generation Barbadian doctor who treated him and restored him to health.

Additionally, the museum is home to countless artifacts of island life. You'll find reminders of the days of slavery, which was still practiced on the island during Washington's visit. You'll see barbed-neck collars, spiked manacles, and agricultural tools like sickles and cane bills.

The house itself has been remodeled over the years. When Washington visited, it was only one level. The second story was added in 1845, and it was impossible to remove it when the home was renovated and restored in 2007.

The George Washington House is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Allow two or three hours to see all of the exhibits and grounds. The house is owned and maintained by the Barbados National Trust. During a visit to the island in 1997, US President Bill Clinton presented a plaque commemorating Washington's visit to the island.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bridgetown. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

George Washington House on Map

Sight Name: George Washington House
Sight Location: Bridgetown, Barbados (See walking tours in Bridgetown)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bridgetown, Barbados

Create Your Own Walk in Bridgetown

Create Your Own Walk in Bridgetown

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bridgetown is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridgetown Introduction Walking Tour

Bridgetown Introduction Walking Tour

Bridgetown is the largest city on the island of Barbados. It was founded on the shores of Carlisle Bay, a cove on the southwest coast. The harbor is the natural location for ships to anchor, and Barbados is one of the first landfall points after crossing the Atlantic from Europe.

Originally, the island of Barbados was visited by various Amerindian tribes. Evidence has shown that permanent...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Garrison Historic Area Walking Tour

Garrison Historic Area Walking Tour

St. Ann's Garrison, more commonly known simply as "The Garrison", is a small district in Barbados situated some 2 miles south of Heroes Square in the capital-city of Bridgetown.

This historic area is dominated by a horse racetrack, located on the 30 acre parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. Here, in the mid 18th century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles