100th Anniversary Queen’s Park 1909-2009

Queen’s Park was officially opened on the 10th June, 1909 by Lady Gilbert-Carter, wife of the then Governor, Sir Thomas Gilbert-Carter.

Queen’s Park is presently home to various activities such as art and agricultural exhibitions, dramatic productions, cultural events, sporting activities for example. There is also a vibrant play park for children.

Christmas morning in Queen’s Park is world renowned. Many visitors and locals congregate in a dazzling array of fashion to hear the beautiful music of the Royal Barbados Police Band and other talented local artistes.

90¢ – Queen’s Park Fountain

A major facet of Queen’s Park is its architectural heritage, and while some features have been tarnished by age and the elements, elaborate designs are still evident on one of the park’s major landmarks, the fountain. These continue to be of much interest to both locals and visitors traversing the park.

This fountain was designed and presented by Lady Gilbert Carter in September 1909.

$1.00 – The Baobab Tree

Queen’s Park, Bridgetown, Barbados is home to one of two magnificent Baobab trees with possibly the widest tree trunks to be found in the Caribbean. This tree (Adansonia digitata) was brought to Barbados around 1738 from Guinea in West Africa. It is also known as the "Monkey bread tree".

The Baobab tree is approximately 90 ft. (28m.) tall with a girth of 81 ft. (25m.) and is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. The baobab originated from Guinea, West Africa where it is thought that the seed floated across the Atlantic and grew on the edge of a lagoon.

$1.40 – Queen’s Park House

Queen’s Park House is located in Queen’s Park in Bridgetown. Originally called King’s House when built in 1783, it was renamed Queen’s House during the reign of Queen Victoria. This house is a fine example of the ‘Caribbean Georgian’ style though the verandahs are Victorian additions. The mansion was once the home of the
Commander of the British armed forces in Barbados.

Queen’s House was extensively renovated in 1908 and the building was then restored in 1973-1974 with the advice and the assistance of the late Mr. Oliver Messel. Renovations were also carried out for the third Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) held in Barbados in 1981.

$2.00 - The Band Stand

The bandstand in Queen’s Park was erected in 1909. Manufactured by Walter Macfarlane & Co, Saracen Foundry, Glasgow, it is made of attractive cast iron railings and decorations, with a tiled roof.

The Bandstand is mainly used by the Royal Barbados Police Band, whose first Police band concert was held there on Wednesday, 28th July, 1909 after the Park was officially opened. However, they had previously held concerts on Christmas Day, in
the Park area from 1907.

100^th Anniversary of Queen’s Park

Technical Details