Hibbert House, Georgian mansion in Kingston, Jamaica.
Hibbert House is a two-story brick structure on Duke Street featuring limestone corner reinforcements and decorative wooden fretwork typical of Caribbean design. The building includes a basement level and dormer windows that were designed to manage the tropical climate.
English merchant Thomas Hibbert commissioned this residence in 1755 as part of a competition among traders to showcase their wealth. The building later became the seat of Jamaica's Legislature, playing a central role in the island's path toward independence.
The house once served as Jamaica's legislative center, reflecting the nation's shift toward self-governance during the mid-20th century. You can sense how the spaces were adapted to accommodate important meetings and debates that shaped the country's future.
The building sits centrally in Kingston and is straightforward to navigate, with clear entrances and accessible layouts throughout its levels. Visitors can walk through the different floors at their own pace to explore the various rooms and their original functions.
The house was built with red Flemish-bonded bricks and includes special ventilation features designed specifically for the tropical climate. These construction details reveal how European merchants adapted their building techniques to Caribbean conditions.
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