The British Garrison, established on this site in 1789 as headquarters for the Windward and Leeward Islands, remained in operation for 116 years, until the forces were removed in 1905.  Totalling approximately 150 acres, still surrounded by about three-quarters of its original 1.6 mile boundary wall, it contains a collection of over seventy historic and architecturally important buildings; most of which are located around the picturesque Savannah.

The Military theme of this site continues to the present day in the form of the Barbados Defence Force, who occupy some of the 18^th century fortifications and barracks.  Located within their compound, at St. Ann’s Castle, can be found The Barbados National Armoury Museum, displaying the largest cluster of 17th Century English cannon in the World.  Hangings are also known to have occurred within this compound, in the square behind the ‘Stone Barracks’.  Similarly, there were also executions carried out at the nearby military cemetery, where the unfortunate culprit was made to stand in his own coffin before facing the volley from the firing squad.

The ‘Barbados Museum’, established in 1933, is located in the former Garrison Military Prison and set the precedent for the successful conversion of historic Garrison buildings into visitor-oriented facilities.  The George Washington House & Museum is located in the beautifully restored building where the 1^st US President, George Washington, stayed for six weeks, as a young man, in 1751.

Intertwined with an exhilarating atmosphere of daily horse racing activities, dating back to the 1840’s, these high-quality facilities are all open to the public.  They provide, along with strategically placed interpretive signs, a means to tell the story of this large British military complex.