Nassau - Balcony House

This 18th-century restored historic structure (1788) is the oldest wooden residence still standing in Nassau and a fine example of a tropical colonial house. The interior has been restored using both period antiques and object original to the house with guided tours given.

The house was once leased by newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook whose guests included Ian Fleming, Lord Mountbatten of Burma and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (cousins to the Queen).

When the house was built it stood close to the waterfront, though the town has expanded two streets down through infill. One of the early owners was Stephen Dillet, a free black who came to Nassau from Haiti shortly after the 1838 Bahamian emancipation. Not knowing that he was to stay over the hill like the other blacks, he bought the house, thereby giving the black community the courage to come into Nassau and start businesses. Dillet went on to become a Member of Parliament and Postmaster General.

One of the interesting facts about Balcony House is all the design and construction features which were used to keep the house cool, dry and termite free.

Among the antiques on display are a mahogany set of swan-neck chairs, four poster beds, a drop-front desk, china and crystal and hand-worked brass valences.