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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Joséphine-Horth School, located in Cayenne, Guyana, is a historical monument inscribed by decree of 9 December 1992. It embodies an original adaptation of traditional Guyanese architecture, with a wooden frame, a stone laying on the ground floor, and bricks and wood on the floor. The building, organized around a central hall, includes galleries on the ground floor supported by pilasters, as well as two side pavilions. Its slightly curved bays and masonry railing terraces add to its distinctive character.

Built between 1910 and 1917, this kindergarten was the only one in Cayenne at the beginning of the 20th century. She adopted the name of Josephine Horth in 1925, in tribute to a Guyanese teacher committed to educating children. The main building, covered with corrugated sheet metal, is completed by an annex housing the offices, connected by an external corridor. In 1945, an extension was added on Rue Maissin, extending its educational use.

The school also illustrates the central role of schools in the social life of Guyana at the beginning of the twentieth century, where public education was developing. Its Creole style, combining local influences and functional needs, makes it a symbol of the architectural and educational heritage of the region. The Place des Palmistes, where it is located, is an emblematic place of Cayenne, reinforcing its historical and cultural importance.

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