The Chattel House: A Symbol of Freedom and Belonging
Discover Barbados' Chattel House History. The goods home is one of the most recognisable symbols of Barbados-- a small wooden home with bright Caribbean colours, steep gable roofs, and verandahs that welcome the breeze. But beyond their appeal, goods homes bring a powerful and uniquely Barbadian story. These homes emerged after emancipation, when previously enslaved individuals were free however still had little access to land. Plantation owners managed the majority of the island, so workers often resided on land they did not own. Their homes required to be theirs-- but also needed to move with them if the landowner changed, the work moved, or the household sought a brand-new start. The option was ingenious: develop a home that could walk. Set on coral stone blocks instead of a repaired foundation, the effects house could be lifted, shifted, and rolled to a brand-new area. Neighbours would gather to help, turning every relocation into a moment of community and event. It was a house...