➡Book a tour to GREENWOOD GREAT HOUSE: www.irielab.com/tours-excursions/greenwood-great-house-tour/ ➡Support us on Patreon www.patreon.com/jamaicawithirie === ➡MUSIC in this video. I could never understand why would KZfaqrs often show Plantation houses and add REGGAE music to the video, which I personally find to be highly inappropriate for such topic. That's why I tried to find some music that is a bit more relevant (though I added a little bit of reggae at the end 🙏). What do you think? 🔥About HANDLING OLD BOOKS/MAPS: Several people have mentioned that old books have to be handled in gloves. This is incorrect and in fact wearing gloves reduces tactility and can actually increase the possibility of damage to the book. Contrary to a widespread belief, gloves are not necessary to handle old/rare/valuable books. Gloves (nitrile or vinyl) are recommended if there is reason to suspect a health hazard (e.g., mold, arsenic). I guess people think that gloves are needed because they saw that in films 🤔 In reality, all you need to handle old books - thoroughly washed and dried hands. It's also important the type of movements you make when you handle old books/maps. If you're interested in learning to handle old books, more info can be found here: www.peterharrington.co.uk/blog/handle-and-store-rare-books/

I'm so happy that the owner is a Jamaican

The man said “Under no circumstances should you go to the Flamingo” she said… “ok take me straight there”… legendary

I am so proud of Mr Barrette that he made such great investment in his country

The interview with the owner is priceless. His story of how he acquired the property is now apart of our history. I wish the library contents can be studied as well.

First, excellent presentation, really learned a lot. Our ancestors were brutalized and murdered on plantations therefore, we of African descent, feel their energy. It's not just a pleasant walk thru a museum for us. These present day "Great Houses" and their plantations represent a very dark, painful and brutal time for our ppl and our ANCESTORS and this must be honored, spoken of and given homage to. Respect must be shown to those that suffered before us, fought for our very existence. We are a race that was slated for genocide, treated worse than animals. YET, WE RISE. You would never tour a holocaust museum and not feel, with every step, the pain and suffering of the Jewish people. The same goes for our African ancestors---with every step through a "Great House" we must never forget. They are us and we are them.

"The man who did the cruelty is not ashamed of the past and neither should we" what a statement

As a British girl of Jamaican descent I truly appreciated this video. The history of Jamaica is amazing and growing up in Britain I never truly felt at home or really identified with British culture. researching my own ancestry has inspired me to do more in life. Researching my family history as well as Jamaican history has helped me understand certain things about my family's current circumstances pertaining to not having any generational wealth. My history helped me find myself and my purpose in life. Thank you Irina for educating me, I will definitely be bringing my daughters on this tour! As young as they are, they are not to young to be taught about the history of their ancestors!

I am from Jamaica and I never heard of Greenwood Great House. It was very educational and inspiring to learn the history of the Great House. I hope many of the students avail themselves of the opportunity to view this place as an avenue to help provide them with a more rounded education. I am a former teacher of a high school in Jamaica 🇯🇲 I currently teach high school in the United States. It is very refreshing to know this home is owned by a Jamaican Ķeep up the Great work. Stay strong 💪

It's about time you're being recognized and even awarded for best documentaries!

OMG, I'm an old map geek! I'd love to see those. And the Polyphone literally gave me the chills.

I agree with the owner 100% - our history should be preserved, we need to know! I can never understand the needs to destroy historical sources.

I want to say from the bottom of my heart from being first generation from parents who are Jamaican that I find it heartbreaking to know how much I don't know and I thank you for educating and putting the documentary out there because I'll be visiting next month and this is something that I will definitely take part in and it really should be advertised more thank you for the time that you took to making this documentary

Great work Irena. As Marcus Garvey said, " A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots". Keep the fire blazing, Maam.

Hi Irina 👋🏾‼️ Myself and Wife visited this historical site today 12/28/2022 and it's all because of your video!! Thank you so much!!

I remember the stories of Annie Palmer well. Jamaica to the WORLD!!!!

History MUST be preserved! A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots! Thank you sir for having the foresight in buying this piece of Our Jamaican History!

Thank you Irina for unearthing another part of Jamaica that I have never heard of, although it is a painful reminder of what our ancestors endured and of which is still covertly happening. It is a still vital history we must never forget.

I like the way you are so in love with Jamaica. You are more than a journalist.

You are a great Jamaican European . We love you Irena.

Excellent video! I am born in Uk of Jamaican parentage and of African descent . I have visited another plantation in Portland but never heard of this plantation. Its important to preserve Jamaican history. Very informative. Thank you Irina. ✌🏾💜

GREAT INTERVIEW IM A JAMAICAN 50 something yrs and never kno of this beautiful place until watching this video thank you again miss irie

GREATNESS CONTINUE TO SHOW JAMAICA ALL OVER THE WORLD 🇯🇲🌎🇯🇲🌎🇯🇲🌎🇯🇲

Jamaica has so much to offer. Our little island is a treasure trove of wonders. Thank you for unearthing this gem.

What a treasure. I’m pleased to see Greenwood in the care of such dedicated custodians.

Thank you for capturing this. History must be preserved. Celebrate our ancestors. This is our land… now.

I think the English poet Elizabeth Barrett-Browning was related to this Barrett family. She wrote the poem “How do I love thee, let me count the ways”

I agree with the students, when I visited I fell in love with the view from the verandah-spectacular, calming and peaceful.

Keep them coming Irena thanks for the highlights of Jamaica 🇯🇲

I understand the mixed feelings of visiting this property. I don't know if it softens the blow that a Jamaican now owns it, so I guess we'll see in the comments section. I've seen my share of original antiques, but what really interests me are the books and especially the maps. You're very lucky to have been able to get a closer look. I could spend a week just reading through that, so I feel preserving those, at the very least, is truly worth it.

The preservation of history is important. However, it is also essential that we tell the stories of the enslaved as they are the ones who built and maintained the properties and they are the true heroes in all of this. Many times, it seems the focus of these plantation tours are to highlight and white wash the names of the plantation slave owners. I visited the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana a few years back and was astonished and pleased with how much of the tour was from the enslaved peoples perspective. I would encourage everyone to visit that tour if you ever get a chance.

Brilliant Irena. What a priceless collection. Where is the Jamaican historical Society? Why is this not in travel guides to Jamaica? Minister of Education, where are the class trips to this wonderful bit of Jamaican history? Come on Jamaica millions travel to Cuba for their history, why isn't Jamaica pushed as a historical destination.

I love history so will definitely try and visit Greenwood the next time am in jamaica.

Thank you Irina for bring this gem to light. Thank you to the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Betton for having the foresight to preserve, restore and make Greenwood Guest House a treasure and for the history lesson we all received from them and as well from the tour guide. As a Jamaican living in Europe we are well surrounded here by historical castles, cathedrals, monuments, and artefacts depicting European history. In fact, every culture has and preserve theirs so ours should/aught to be preserved too, painful as it may be... The small peek of the African map and the musical instruments the polyphone and the discs are two pieces that are on my 'must see' list when I visit. Just one word of caution/advice; old documents, photos and delicate objects should be handled using gloves of natural fibres; cotton /linen /silk to preserve the objects even further as the natural acid, salt, dust and perspiration from our fingers and hands can advance the deteriorating process of these precious object even faster... Well done research and presentation Irie, in helping some of us Jamaicans find pieces of our 'Hidden Treasures.'

Hi Mr. Betton...I came to visit the house in Dec 2019 just before Covid..and we had an interesting chat after the tour as my family also owns a Great House. Glad to see that you're getting some exposure. And please keep the duppy stories alive. It does help to keep intruders away. I was glad we had a private tour so we could linger a bit. There's so much to see.

The rich history in Jamaica is often never told in context. And often times, feared out of superstition (as was alluded to when the teacher and students heard the clock chimed; they were petrified) simply reacting out of ignorance and fear of the unknown. History should, therefore, be preserved and taught to enlighten others. "The man who forgets his past tends to repeats it"

Thanks IRIE for all you do for Jamaica 🇯🇲 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🙏👏👏👏

This so informative, thank you Irene. I strongly believe that our history should be preserved by every means necessary. ❤ 🙏

Stumbled upon this and The Golden Globe goes to none other than Irina for always educating us in such a interesting manner.

Thank you for this. It is necessary to preserve these historical facts. It should be mandatory for school kids to understand their HISTORY. What a treat. Thank you Irie.

This is certainly the new learning channel for Jamaicans and visitors alike.

Great video Irie you are doing great work for Jamaica,the owners are the rightful people to own such treasure.

Awesome sis...my now Jamaican sis

I am so thankful to be alive in the 21st century with so much information at our fingertips - truly glorious times for nerds like me! Thank you Irina for another blockbuster video, I learnt so much in just 40 minutes! And all those books and maps ABSOLUTELY need to be digitally scanned and made available online by the national library! They are PRICELESS relics from the past that absolutely need to be digitalized and preserved. As to all this duppy nonsense, there are NO SUCH THINGS as ghosts! We need to stop all this superstitious nonsense and embrace science and rationality!

This is our history. These monuments are a reminder, and we need the reminders for ourselves and for our children. We need to be reminded of what our ancestors went through so that we can have a fighting chance. We need to be reminded of what we cannot ever go back to. History should be preserved.

Thank you Irie for showcasing this property, I have NEVER heard of this place. I would definitely visit this place on my next planned visit to Jamaica 🇯🇲

Wow a wonderful world of hidden Gem's 💎 and the history it holds in one well preserved ancient House. I would be a wish to visit one day .🪕🛶🖼🎺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Wonderful tour & so informative! Wish we had known about this in High School to include in our school trips. Thx Irie!

Thé ones who are against the history of Jamaica are the ones who are tied to religion and against themselves. If we don’t know where we are coming from how will we know where we are going? Gréât job Irène Thank you and keep it up❤

This was an excellent video and it was well presented. I must admit of being slightly ashamed that we as Jamaicans don't present the good things and places of Jamaica. It takes good people like you Irina to come all the way from places like the Ukraine to show us what we have and why we should appreciate our country. Thanks again for this very informative video and looking forward to visiting this great house and other areas.

Thanks Irene. Another brilliant work on Jamaica. Some people like history and some don't. It's life, our people burnt things for change and some saved them so that we will not forget. The things we save are proof, evidence, and truth to our past so that others can't deny. Bob Marley said, "If you know your history, then you would know where you're coming from, then you wouldn't have to ask me, who the hell I think I am." If you truly want to know someone, then it will help, if you know where that person come from (history) and where s/he is going (goals).

Some of us who operate in the tourism industry think you are unto something really profound. We get it. This idea is much bigger in scope than a few great houses. It speaks to the path going forward in the industry and how we as Jamaicans want to present our story to the world. We have been thinking about what you have been saying, but need to mentally process our negative historical baggage first (it's a lot). Give us time. We will be in contact. Cannot thank you enough for what you have been doing. Sometimes a fresh perspective is what is needed for us to see what was in front of us the entire time.

Preserving and acknowledging our history is a vital part of our lives. Will definitely add this to the list for our next visit to JA...the island has so much to explore.. thanks for sharing🥰🇯🇲🇯🇲

Irina, this is why I keep looking forward to your new videos - from hummingbirds to paper mache art to this Great House and so much more. Each one a unique feature of Jamaica as part of its culture and heritage - of a class not found elsewhere. Said it before, Jamaica is not all about reggae and beaches. People who want to burn down a historical legacy because they believe it flaunts a part of their past they find depressing should instead be proudly preserving it to show how much they have grown and overcome to be what they are today. In regards to the background music - there is a place for everything. It would be silly to introduce a Beethoven piece at a rock concert and just as silly to play a reggae background during a tour of a 300 year old mansion depicting a time that never knew reggae. All my thanks and respect for the great work that you do.

Pass the gate on several occasions, but have never been there. Thanks for educating me.

Wow, Irie, love those old books and maps, I would like to read some of those books and view the maps, that's history in its natural form. Thanks for another gem of Jamaica. Would be good if the maps, records etc be restored and made for the schools to visit and see ancient artifacts. Oh, Irie sure you know that Jamaicans are afraid of "DUPPIES". 😆 🤣 😂

This is a fantastic video, I visited Greenwood Great House in 2016, you should win an award for your informative and truthful videos! I appreciate you and your work. Thank you and have a great holiday season.

Great Story, lovely presentation! I hope to visit it in the future. Respect to the owners and staff. Very rich history, also a big thank you to the presenter! God bless you all.

i am a Jamaican but I never been there before but when I returned home I’ll will have a visit there because I love to watch my jamaica history and understand everything things about our culture background 🙏❤️

In my view the best part of the video is the couple (owners) themselves… it was great listening to the man tell his story and also the history documented by the people at that time is amazing. What they had accomplished and discovered in terms of mapping just blows my mind - bc they didn’t have any drones or planes. Loved looking at the maps. And my first time hearing about or seeing a polyphon - I mean the INGENUITY! 😮

Good evening miss irie keep up the good work you show our country people that jamaica is gold

Your channel is putting some people too shame!! Pure talent 👏

To erase one's history, is like erasing one's future...As was rightfully stated; "history, is one sharing his or here or thier story." Our story is important, because it teaches us the genius of how one survived through their journey. Especially if one's history was painful, and laden with injustice. The lessons are vital to preserve, so we can be reminded how to survive when history repeats itself, as it often does in different forms...Thanks for Mrs Irie, your work is greatly appreciated.

What a wise man, Bob. He was fascinating to listen to. Excellent documentary.

As a Jamaican, I always wanted to visit here. Great video

I like that philosophy, doesn't weaken me, it hardens me.

Thank you for the tour. As a child of jamaicans born in UK. I have recently been learning about JA history and my families history. Would enjoy your informative spotlight on history of the free villages. Keep up the good work.

We think that the great houses in Jamaica should be preserved by the owners as I myself have not seen them in person also our children want to see them too so that we can all have a look back and imagine our ancestors. We know that some great house owner treats their slaves terribly in those slavery days. Preserving the great houses in Jamaica reminded us that we have come a long way in the journey of Jamaica's history.

Man, the sheer difference in answers about the tour coming from those tourists VS. the young Jamaicans. The fact that the first young lady said she felt a presence when we walked in I believe she felt the agony and spirits of the ancestors who may have gone through some unbearable days there. I remember reading somewhere that out of all the plantations (rice, sugar, cotton, tobacco,) Sugar plantations were by far the most dangerous. People would lose limbs, get burnt and anything else you could imagine while running that type of machinery while being physically and mentally exhausted for years on end. This is also why they said the average lifespan of enslaved Africans who worked on sugar plantations was seven years.

I love the way how most of the students spoke in English! As a Jamaican educator, I love the language! Even though I speak patois fluently, I believe there's a place for it. I've visited Rose Hall Inn in my youth but never Greenwood! Very impressed with this video!! Thanks!! 👍🙏 History is History!! We need to learn about our past unlike America where slavery is pushed under the rug! It is what it was!!

Great video in which this has motivated me to go visit, I have already been to Cinnamon Hill and Rose Hall great houses. The Barrett's are one of my families ancestors.

Another gem of a video, I have never heard of this great house but I will be visiting. Thank you Irene you are a God sent 🙏🏾 ❤️.

Thanks for this experience, makes me wonder about Cardiff Hall which has been part of my heritage since 1670s until recent times passing down the centuries from the Campbells, Blagroves to Coores from Scotland. Likewise Cherry Gardens associated with the Hon. Joseph Gordon on my mother's side.

Irena, I so enjoy your videos. It is great to see Jamaica through the eyes of a non Jamaican. You have taught me a lot about a country that I was born in. I left there when I was just a little girl and I am just starting to reconnect with my culture. I have learned so much through your videos. Please keep them coming.

Thanks Irina for highlighting the history of the Great House in my neighborhood Greenwood/BarrettHall-a beautiful place, and another wonderful video.

Thank you Irie this is a fantastic documentary of Greenwood Great House. I think history should be preserved I want my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to know they past. I miss Jamaican soooo much Thank you for taking the time to do these historic recording. Bless 🤗🙏

27:55 - 28:25 "and the kids panicked and the teachers as well panicked, and they ran out of the house, when I went out they were shaking and covered in goose pimples!" 🤣🤣

Well done Irie you are doing a fantastic job what we Jamaican wouldn't think of doing GREAT JOB 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🇯🇲🇬🇧

Thanks for highlighting this historical site.

Great to see you making your videos again. I loved this video and look forward to seeing more from you. I’m a Jamaican living in the UK and I think I’ve learned as much about Jamaica from from you as I have from my parents. Thank you.

Thank you Irie for introducing many Jamaicans to their interesting historical past. Hope to visit one day soon.

Irina…..Simply the best

I went to this great house in about 2005 on a history field trip while attending NCU and this is one of the most interesting and authentic places i have been to, up until then i didn't know of its existence...i loved the decor, the view from the verandah and the old hearse...

If the producer can make it , there is an obvious great house in st. Thomas ( a small village called Duckenfield ) that I've visited many times. Obviously no where near the opulence of greenwood. In fact just pure ruins but Obviously built by a European but the view is spectacular. Most definitely will see the library at greenwood when I'm on the island.

Irena: Can you do a piece on why the hotel workers in Jamaica doesn’t have a union to back them,and at Sandals Hotels in Jamaica aren’t allowed to accept tips from the guests. Fingers crossed

Thanks again Iriena for another educational tour of my country that I did not know. The people who want to erase our past, will cause us to keep making the same mistakes as we would destroy our template. Thanks to the owners for allowing this information to be known.Thanks again.

Excellent work Irie, truly informative ❤

Thank you Irina!! This is a gem. I have to visit to see it for myself. Sorry to hear of the people with the mindset to destroy artifacts. Destroying historical items will not change history, but will set us on the path to repeat.

What a treasure!

Amazing showcase Irena. I’ve done the white hall one many years ago and had this on my bucket list. Will definitely bring thee family next time on the island. Thank you again for the great work you do promoting all that Jamaica has to offer. 👊🏾🇬🇧🇯🇲

Thank you for this presentation. It was quite informative, and educational and I appreciate the history. This tour should be encouraged by the Ministry of Education for high school students. I will certainly visit on my next trip to Jamaica.

Thanks for highlighting this property. It’s the first time I’m hearing of Greenwood Great-house, an awesome story. Kudos to the owners for making the fee a singular one, can never understand why there is one charge for locals and a higher one for foreigners. Sure to visit when I’m on the Island.

One more place added to my bucket list of place to visit. Massive respect to you Miss Irena. Keep them coming.

Wonderful video i am so glad they were able to preserve such fabulous history

Respect to you my darling Irina for enlightening another fantastic video of our Jamaican history🥰🥰.....brava

Waah, and speechless I must say, thanks so much for sharing this Jewel Irina 🙌👍 😊 🫂 🙏 💕

Fascinating, accurate, important and honest....as usual!! Keep going Irie your work is of great value to all Jamaicans.

This is another hit, Irina. This is a great body of work you've produced. Thank you for sharing this historical information and experience. I appreciate that you also interviewed the owners, tourists, and the students. I agree with the owners that the past should be preserved so that we can see what had happened in ancient days. It's awesome that you included the wind blowing through the house, but yeah, I'd be a bit nervous too after hearing all the shutters and doors creaking and slamming 😂 As for duppy/duppies being here, I'll say this: spirits are everywhere in this world, especially if there's a human being there. Anyways again, awesome video Irina. Continue to live on purpose, Godly purpose ✨️ 🙏🏾

Irene, another excellent video, you never disappoint. Irie Jamaica consistently hits the mark for presentation, interest, knowledge and fun facts. Truly a diamond standard.

Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to know that some tangible items still remain of our gruesome pass. It’s stands to confirm to the younger generation the true reality that black were very much enslaved in Jamaica and it’s not just a foreign or tv store. When a young get a glimpse of their it helps them to be more conscious of their future.