Preservation
St. Nicholas Abbey is owned and maintained by the Warren Family, who purchased the property from the last descendant of the Cave Family in 2006. They have established a long-term restoration plan for the plantation based on detailed studies to retain the historic elements essential to the preservation and sustainability of its structures.
With its significant importance in Barbadian history as one of the last surviving and intact 17th century plantations on the island, it is our mission to develop St. Nicholas Abbey as a self-supporting plantation in order to sustain this exceptional legacy for future generations.
Completed Initiatives 2006 & 2007
Restoration of the St. Nicholas Abbey Jacobean great house, preserving its architectural integrity as an historic attraction
- Preservation of woodwork inclusive windows and doors
- Painting, sealing and general refurbishment of interiors
- Restoration of furniture and fittings throughout the great house
- Renovation of the original stables to create the Museum, Terrace Café and Gift Shop, as well as the corporate offices for St. Nicholas Abbey and Larry Warren Limited
- Restoration and installation of the steam mill
- Replace collapsed and damaged roofing on buildings throughout the plantation
- Termite treatment of all buildings to main structural integrity
- Upgraded surfaces and pathways for improved safety and access to visitors
- Upgraded security and fire systems, electrical, and services infrastructure including standby power
- Renovation of the original chimney structures
Completed Initiatives 2008 & 2009
- Installation of the new distillery
- Restoration of the Overseer's Quarters to create the Rum Bottling Facility; ageing casks are stored in the cellar
Completed Initiatives 2010 & 2011
- New vacuum evaporator and storage tanks to produce rum from syrup
- Installation of vapor detection system to distillery and rum storage
- Installation of garden art shades to café terrace for moonlight dinners
Completed Initiatives 2012 & 2013
- Installation of new bagasse boiler reducing diesel fuel consumption by 90%
- Installation of briquette compactor for reuse of waste and garden refuse as a source of energy in boiler
- Refurbishment to fan mill and well to provide natural fresh water to the distillery
Completed Initiatives 2014 & 2015
- Replacement and refurbishment of factory roof
- Installation of 63KW solar photo voltaic installation to reduce energy costs
- New factory floor and reorganisation of the to showcase equipment and extend rum bond storage
- Restoration of sugar cane fields and establishment of a nursery for specialised cane varieties
- Sealed leaks in cooling pond
Completed Initiatives in 2016 & 2017
A pause in the preservation process was undertaken in order to complete necessary maintenance:
- General Painting: rooftops, windows and doors
- Great House windows (upper level): repairs
- Cooling Pond: upgraded pipe work
- Mill: general maintenance
- Well & Mill Pump: general maintenance
Completed Initiatives in 2018 and 2019:
- Repainting of the Great House
- Plaster repairs within the Great House
- The addition of St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway
We have a continued interest in the archeology of the plantation and plan to upgrade our house museum to focus on the history of slavery and workers at the plantation along with exciting artifacts found within the grounds.
