Walk up and down the streets of this delightful town and see one of the best remaining examples of the colonial era in the Caribbean. The lack of modernization has kept much of Charlestown in its original state, and local efforts are underway to preserve the original buildings. There are numerous 18th and 19th century buildings that are Georgian in style and fit into a certain scale. Most of them in town were built with stone first floors and wooden structure upstairs. The first floor were shops and the merchants lived above them. Many of them have hip roofs.

 

This Memorial Plaque was erected and unveiled on Wednesday 1st August 2001 in memory of approximately 233 persons who lost their lives on August 1st 1970 when the government ferry - MV Christena sank off Nags Head.  Located on Samuel Hunkins Drive in the vicinity of the Museum of Nevis History, the plaque lists the names of the 233 Kittians and Nevisians who perished in this unforgettable tragedy. The impact of this tragedy is still felt throughout the twin-island federation as most families were touched in some way.

 

Just outside of Charlestown are the ruins of the Hamilton Estate, which was a sugar plantation until the 1950's owned by the Hamilton family. After sugar operation ceased, it became a diversified agricultural farm where a wide variety of products, from cotton to vegetables, were grown.

Many enjoy visiting the ruins today, and the wonderful views of Charlestown and St. Kitts from the hillside where it is located. The ruins include foundations of a Great House, Windmill, Cistern, and chimney, boiling house and steam engine.

 

 

The earliest tombstone dates back to 1769 in this small cemetery that was established by the Jews who came to Nevis to work in the sugar industry. The engraved tombstones are written in English, Hebrew, and Portuguese, since these were Sephardic Jews, who had come to Nevis from Brazil. They came to the Island to introduce the technology of sugar production to the island. Across from the cemetery is a long narrow path adjacent to a stonewall, leading to an area where many believe a synagogue was located. It's suspected that a synagogue was located there, but it's yet to be proven.

 

 

Located in the countryside, about 30 minutes from Charlestown, the Eden Brown Estate was originally a sugar plantation, but cotton was grown there until the mid-1900's. But the circa 1740 plantation, with a great house and other outbuildings has a history unlike many of the other plantations, and some believe it is haunted. A duel took place at the house in 1822, the night before the wedding of Julia Huggins, between her betrothed and the best man, who was her brother. A recent discovery of an old letter has shown that the bridegroom survived, and he went to propose to another woman. However, her father forbade her from marrying a "murderer." As the story goes, Julia spent the rest of her days as a recluse in the house, and can still be heard today as she wanders through the ruins.

 

 

The Botanical Gardens were created on Nevis several years ago by Philadelphia couple Joseph and Martha Murphy, who wanted to create something beautiful on the island and to preserve flora from throughout the world. They chose a lovely spot in Montpelier Estate area, with views of Nevis Peak in the distance.

The gardens, filled with sculpture, fountains, and a replica of a Great House, has many garden areas to visit: roses and vines, cactuses, fruit trees, orchids. The most outstanding part is the tropical rain forest conservatory, built to emulate the conservatory at Kew Gardens in England. It houses tropical plants and huge Mayan-type sculptures. 
Many choose to be married in the gardens, and several locations are favorites. In the Great House is a wonderful gift shop, selling items related to plants and nature, and Martha's Tea House for afternoon luncheon and tea (named after the owner's wife). 
There are occasionally lectures and classes given at the gardens. Memberships are available as well as single-day admissions. For information, call 869-469-3509.

 

The old stone cotton ginnery in Charlestown located near the ferry boat pier has taken on a new life. Recently restored for shops and a restaurant, the cotton ginnery is again bustling with activity as it did in the days when growing cotton was a key island industry. This was where cotton was ginned and packed into bales before shipment to England. 

The complex now includes a bookstore, local craftstore, clothing shops, a beauty salon, other gift shops and a restaurant. At certain times of year, community art and craft exhibits are held in the ginnery. For information, call the Cotton Ginnery office at 869-469-5521.

 

The Nevisian Heritage Village administered by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, largely depicts the evolution of Nevisian social history through housing.  The houses, dating from the Carib Indian era, are replicas and are furnished with antiques and relics of their relevant periods.  The display includes the blacksmith's shop, rum shop, and the shoe-maker's shop, along with the dwelling houses.  To complete this traditional village setting are "backyard" gardens, beautiful flower gardens and various species of indigenous plants and shrubs some adorning the typical "estate yard" ruins.  And, there's even an area for animal rearing.

 

As its names implies, this museum displays artifacts and memorabilia of the life and times of British Naval Admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, who visited Nevis in the late 18th century. He had been based in nearby Antigua with the duty of enforcing the Navigation Acts following the Treaty of Versailles.

 

Nelson's love affair with Nevis was largely due to Fanny Nisbet, a widow he met at a dinner party on Nevis. The two fell instantly in love, and their nuptials are without a doubt the most famous wedding here to date.

 

The museum displays antique furniture, utensils, photos of Nevis, and other momentos of the island at the time of Nelson. It has what is said to be the largest collection of Nelson relics in the Western Hemisphere, called "Nevis in the time of Nelson."

 

The late Robert Abrahams, a Philadelphia lawyer who had a home in Nevis, compiled the collection during his life and first displayed at his Nevis home. It includes miniatures of Nelson's fleet, photos of Nevis, his wedding, and other information relative to Nelson's life.

 

Mr. Abrahams donated the artifacts to the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, a non-governmental body, which he believed was most capable of caring for the collection. The Society began construction of the Horatio Nelson Museum to house the collection in 1990. 

 

On March 11, 1992, the museum opened in honour of Nelson, who is best known for his valiant command of the British fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar. The opening date was the wedding anniversary of Lord Nelson and Fanny Nisbet, and to this day the historical society hosts an anniversary tea each year in their honour. 

 

Efforts to conserve those delicate artifacts have been well rewarded. They have fascinated thousands of visitors to Nevis, including Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal family who have visited the island. For information, call 869-469-0408.

 

 

Built in the late 17th century in the north part of the island, this church is one of three Anglican Churches in the Caribbean to display a black crucifix. Its earliest grave marker dates to 1679. The church has been renovated several times since it was consecrated, but the grave markers within the church have always been carefully preserved.

 

 

On the grounds of the Montpelier Plantation-under the branches of a silk cotton tree-Lord Horatio Nelson wed the Nevisian widow Frances Nisbet on March 11, 1787. Prince William Henry, who eventually became King William IV, gave away the bride at this well-known affair. The marriage certificate is carefully preserved at St. John's Fig Tree Church. The entrance pillars to the estate are still there but the original Great House has been gone for many years. Two hundred years later, on March 11, 1987 a group of hoteliers in collaboration with the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society organized a week of activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lord Nelson's association with Nevis. As part of these activities, the marriage of Lord Nelson and Frances Nisbet was reenacted at the site with a great festivity reminiscent of 1787.

 

 

The remnants of these two estates, located on the island's east coast, slope out to the sea overlooking Montserrat and Redonda. They can easily be visited together and are about a 25-minute drive from Charlestown, or eight minutes past Golden Rock Plantation Inn.
Just off the main road are the ruins of New River, which can be recognized by its tall tower and squat building that houses an old steam engine. Originally powered by animal mill, the sugar plantation was eventually converted to steam, which remained in operation until 1958-the last one in operation on the island.

 

Walking through the estate, which was originally 582 acres, the ruins of the old Great House can be seen on the left, as well as the cistern.

 

Continuing down towards the sea from New River, you can follow the goat trail to Coconut Walk, which was named for the luxuriant coconut trees that once lined its borders. It was once densely cultivated with sugarcane, but like other Estates, it owners had to change its crop due to the deterioration in sugar price and were later forced to sell the estate.

 

Significant pieces of pottery have revealed that this was an early Arawak Indian settlement. Among the ruins is the tallest windmill in Nevis and a stone lime kiln, where coral is fired to produce lime used in the local construction industry. It adds colour, luster, durability, and extra bonding to the finished plaster on concrete building. It is still used today.

 

The first Anglican Church in the Caribbean, and the oldest church on Nevis, St. Thomas' was built in 1643. It is located on the main road about three miles north of Charlestown, and was built to serve the town of Jamestown, the island's original capital that disappeared. The church is perched high on a hill overlooking St. Kitts.

The church cemetery has many tombstones bearing names of Nevis' early settlers dating back to 1649. There is also a vault that holds the remains of John Huggins (1763-1821), the founder of Bath Hotel.

 

 

Archaeological work is ongoing at this most interesting site. The ruin of the stone Great House constructed in the early 19th century originally was joined to an older wooden house built in the 18th century. Only the foundations of that earlier house remain, and in turn they lie atop the foundations of a 17th century house which is believed to have been burnt by the invading French army in 1706. The 17th century building was built by the Freeman family, the first owners of the estate. The 18th century structure was constructed by the Pinneys family, for whom Pinneys Beach is named. The stone house was built by the Huggins family, who purchased the estate from Pinneys. At one point the Pinneys considered allowing poets and writers from England to reside on the estate as an early artists colony, but it never came to pass. The Great House was occupied up to the 1950s. What makes this an exceptional site is that papers and correspondence of the Pinney family have survived in Bristol and give invaluable information about the buildings and life on the estate, which are being confirmed by archaeology. The estate was occupied and produced sugar for 300 years.

 

Built in 1778, the Bath Hotel was once a playground for the rich and famous who came to Nevis to take in the therapeutic, hot spring baths. Guests would come by ship from throughout the West Indies and Europe for this pleasurable experience.

 

John Huggins, a merchant and aristocrat built the large, stone hotel at a cost of 43,000 "island" pounds, and surrounded it with lush landscaping, statuary, and goldfish ponds. The hotel was 200 feet long and 60 feet wide. 

 

Dignitaries such as Lord Nelson, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Prince William Henry, who was the Duke of Clarence, visited the hotel in its heyday. 

 

With the downturn of the sugar industry, Nevis stepped into the world of tourism with this hotel, which flourished for about 60 years. Since then the hotel has had various uses, reopening as a hotel from 1912 until 1940. It was used as training center for the West Indian regiment during World War II, and most recently, the temporary headquarters of the Nevis police while the new station was built.

 

Within the compound of the Bath Hotel is the Spring House, a two story masonry structure which was constructed from local hand cut stones. This building sits on the bank of the Bath Stream. The facility comprises of five thermal baths whose source of water springs from the base of the house. The spring water is reputed to contain minerals of medicinal value and is known to have cured chronic rheumatism and gout. Its water temperature ranges from 104F to 108F hence the reason why the Spring House was used significantly by visitors and locals alike.

Unfortunately, due to damages from recent hurricanes and other natural elements, the Spring House is closed. A restoration committee headed by Mr. Ken Evelyn recently constructed an open outdoor pool for persons wishing to experience the healing powers of the water. The design allows water to filter in through layers of crushed stones through the bottom of the pool and overflow gradually through an overflow pipe down into the stream. This design maintains the water at the required temperature.

 

 

This parish church was built about 1830 in a typical cruciform plan with gabled roof. The stained glass windows beside the altar are in memory of Rev. Daniel Gatward Davies, priest from 1812-1825, who converted slaves before the emancipation. He went on to become the Bishop of Antigua. There are solid hurricane shutters and a squat wood bell tower at one end. Next to the church is another stone building, which was the parish school. Inside the walled yard are graves dating to1669.

 

 

John Cottle, once the president of Nevis and a planter, built this tiny church in 1824 as a place for his family and his slaves to worship together. The ruins are located north of Charlestown, hidden in the woods off the main road, just south of the Newcastle Airport. A small sign on the main road marks the beginning of a dirt track that leads back to the church.

 

A very lenient slave owner, Cottle created this Anglican Church, which was never consecrated, since it was illegal at the time for slaves to worship. It was also known as a chapel, called St. Mark's of Ease.

 

Cottle Church is located on part of the 980-acre Round Hill Estate. The structure was severely damaged in a 1974 earthquake and again in 1989 during Hurricane Hugo. The stone building still provides a glimpse into our history.

 

As a result of these later damages, the plaque which documented the history of the Cottle Church was removed and placed in St. Thomas' Lowland Church making it more accessible to the public. Nevertheless Cottle Church is still a primary tourist attraction. It is presently undergoing restoration to stabilize it to ensure its historical significance for the future.

 

 

This delightful stone church dates back to the 1680's and is known because the historic marriage record of Lord Horatio Nelson and Frances Nisbet is preserved there. In 1886, the register obtained international attention at the Colonial Indian Exhibition in London. It reads as follows:

 

"1787 March 11th. Horatio Nelson, Esquire.Captain of His Majesty's Ship the Boreas, to Frances Herbert Nisbet, Widow"

Located about 10 minutes south of Charlestown on the main road, the churchyard contains many tombstones which date back to the 17th century. Placed at the  church is a memorial, which was dedicated by Lady Nelson in memory of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. William Wollward.

 

 

Nevis has four beautifully-restored sugar plantations that are now elegant inns. Each has its own personality and style, and amenities fitting a relaxing stay in peaceful surroundings. The history of these inns are fascinating and it's worth a visit to each of them while on the island, to enjoy a lunch or dinner in a variety of surroundings.

 

Heading south on the main island road from Charlestown, one first reaches Montpelier Plantation Inn, very British in style and demeanor. This elegant hotel was created from the ruins of the Montpelier Plantation, and part of the Great House and the windmill are on the grounds of the hotel.

 

Continuing along, the entrance to the Hermitage Plantation Inn is on the left, following a road heading up towards the mountain. The main house was not as grand as other Great Houses, but the original planter's house has a simple elegance that has been recreated throughout the property in smaller cottages built by the owners, Richard and Maureen Lupinacci. It's now believed that the house was built in 1660 and is the one of three remaining earthfast houses in North America; the two others are in Virginia. 

 

Next comes Old Manor Hotel, with a treasury of old sugar machinery and ruins. Amid the stone walls and remnants of buildings grew a new life for this estate as an elegant inn. A fascinating stone tunnel passes under the old sugar works and chimney. The estate had a birthing room on the property where slaves gave birth. 

 

Golden Rock Plantation Inn focuses on the natural beauty of the island, with several nature trails leading from the property, located at the edge of the rain forest. Visitors come to Golden Rock to spot monkeys, and for a relaxing lunch in the outdoor courtyard. The plantation was built in 1801 by Edward Huggins, an ancestor of the current owner Pam Barry. The former sugar mill is now a guest suite, popular with honeymooners or families, and the former long house is now the dining room, library, and TV and game rooms.

 

On the Northeastern side of the island is the only Plantation Inn located on the beach. Originally a plantation for growing sugar cane and then coconuts, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club offers a rare blend of old-world elegance and modern comfort. Built on the site of an 18th century plantation, it was once the family home of Fanny Nisbet, who married British Naval Admiral Horatio Nelson.