Event
Americans and Barbadians celebrate the United States’ 233rd anniversary of independence
Americans and Barbadians gathered at the historic George Washington House on Friday July 3rd to celebrate the United States’ 233rd anniversary of independence.
Dressed mainly in red, white or blue, guests flowed through the doors of the historic mansion named for the founding father and first President of the United States, George Washington to greet Chargé d’Affaires D. Brent Hardt and his wife Saskia.
The island’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner along with Speaker of the House of Assembly Michael Carrington topped the list of Barbados government officials attending the evening reception along with business and community leaders as well as friends and contacts of the Embassy.
It was the first year that the reception was held at George Washington House where in 1751 a then 19 year old Washington stayed for two months with his brother Lawrence.
Barbados was only country outside of the continental US where Washington ever visited. The house was restored by the Bush Hill Tourism Trust Inc and the Barbados National Trust. The official restoration of the house started in 1997 when then First Lady, now Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton unveiled a plaque to mark the start of the project.
In welcoming his guest to the reception Chargé Hardt noted that the “beautifully restored and historic residence where George Washington resided during his only journey outside North America speaks so eloquently to the historic sweep of the ties that bind the United States and Barbados together” He added that he was “truly delighted to be able to celebrate our nation's Independence on ground where the Father of our Nation once walked”.
The U.S. envoy also lauded the strong ties which exist between the United States and Barbados.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner too highlighted the strong ties between the two nations. She noted those bonds remained strong since both countries held a shared commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.