Orange Park

Nestled in the hills of Yallahs, St. Thomas, Orange Park has a rich history that stretches back to its days as a thriving coffee plantation. In Jamaica, where coffee plantations were traditionally found in the mountains and sugar cane dominated the lowlands, it was uncommon for both crops to be cultivated on the same estate. Orange Park stands out as a historical exception, with early records from 1821 indicating that the property, owned by John Dick and Richard Dick, produced 62 tierces of coffee destined for London. By 1839, the estate had passed into the hands of George Taylor and spanned 515 acres, with a substantial portion dedicated to coffee cultivation, alongside woodlands, roads, and grounds for the estate’s workers. The Great House, a symbol of the plantation’s prominence, occupied 33 acres. The estate’s production diversified over the years, including pimento and cattle by 1847 under the ownership of William P. George. However, by 1882, under Robert Sylvester’s ownership, coffee cultivation had ceased, and the estate shifted its focus, reflecting the changing agricultural landscape. The 20th century saw the estate fall into a period of dormancy, with records from 1920 showing that Orange Park, then owned by C. A. Williams, had become uncultivated. It wasn’t until the arrival of artist Basil Barrington Watson that the estate found new life. Watson, a celebrated Jamaican artist born in Lucea, Hanover, had long nurtured a passion for the arts, pursuing education at prestigious institutions across Europe. After returning to Jamaica in 1962 and eventually becoming a full-time artist in 1967, Watson acquired Orange Park, transforming the former plantation into a vibrant hub for creativity. Over the next three decades, Watson’s influence turned Orange Park into a gathering place for artists and art enthusiasts, earning praise from notable figures such as Edna Manley. The estate, with its main house, tennis courts, studio cottages, and a studio filled with Watson’s prized works, became a testament to the artist’s belief in the power of art to cultivate human sensibility and enrich society. In recognition of its cultural significance, Watson eventually gifted the title of Orange Park to the Jamaican people, with Prime Minister Hon. P.J. Patterson formally accepting it on behalf of the nation. This gesture marked the culmination of a journey that saw a once-thriving coffee plantation evolve into a sanctuary of artistic expression and heritage.