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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The House of Governors, built in the 1780s at Gustavia on the island of Saint Barthélemy, illustrates the colonial architecture of the late 18th century. This volcanic stone and wood building, originally designed as a private home, became a symbol of Swedish power during the occupation of the island between 1785 and 1877. Its local lava base bound by a volcanic sand and lime mortar, surmounted by a wooden floor, reflects the construction techniques adapted to the resources available on this island of the West Indies.

From 1785, this building was transformed into a governors' hotel during the Swedish period, marking its administrative importance in the colony. Sweden, which had acquired Saint Barthélemy in 1784, made it a strategic counter for transatlantic trade. The retrocession treaty signed on 10 August 1877 between the Swedish krona and France ended this era: as early as 1878, the building became Gustavia's town hall, a function which he retained until 13 December 2001.

Ranked a historic monument since 1 August 1995 (with a change to the decree in 2006), this house now embodies a hybrid heritage, combining French and Swedish influences. After its closure in 2001, projects are planning to convert it into a Swedish cultural house, highlighting its role in the island's shared history. Its precise location at 22 August Nyman Street and its communal property make it a central place for local memory.

The architecture of the House of Governors is distinguished by its structure in two levels: a ground floor in volcanic stone, abundant material on the island, and a wooden floor, a common technique for colonial constructions. A back room, initially reserved for outbuildings, completes the whole. These characteristics reflect both the geological constraints of Saint-Barthélemy and the functional needs of an official residence in the 18th century.

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