“One of the biggest challenges with Government House was not knowing what was under the floorboards and behind the walls,” she explains. Previous, failed restoration efforts had resulted in the upstairs rooms being condemned. “No one but mice, rats and cats had been up there since,” Dr Howell continues. “The roof ties had almost entirely disintegrated, and the ring beams holding the whole of the upper floor were completely termite-ridden; when we took off the dining-room ceiling, the rooms above were practically floating.” Project Manager Janey Howell lent her expertise in historic furniture to the weighty task of restoring the property’s centuries- old pieces. The original sash windows were also delicately remodelled, and painstaking repairs carried out to the prized art collection, including an early 20th century painting of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Expert engineering from local firm CG Construction proved invaluable in making the property secure again, while a team of Antiguan historians ensured the fine details of the building’s past were meticulously documented. The entire project was generously funded by British entrepreneur Sir David Harrison. Finds along the way included old china, pottery and glass for holding liquid and medicines. One of the most exciting discoveries was an 18th century plaque commemorating the years
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