Senior volunteer dedicated to preserving Ja’s built historic heritage

The Georgian Society of Jamaica (GSJ), renamed ‘Built Heritage Jamaica (BHJ), recently honoured longstanding volunteer and member Pauline Simmonds for over four decades of service to the organisation.

Simmonds was recognised ‘for years of dedicated service’ by the BHJ/GSJ Kingston Chapter at their annual general meeting on May 16. On June 9, the national body honoured her with a citation at the AGM held in St. Mary.

The GSJ was established in 1967 with the mandate to preserve Jamaica’s historical built heritage of the Georgian period, 1714-1838. Its establishment was inspired by work to restore Falmouth as a Georgian town, one of the few remaining in this hemisphere. Simmonds had become a member of the GSJ in 1982, while serving as Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO’s) representative in Montego Bay. In fact, while assigned to JAMPRO’s London office in the 1990s, she was an active member of the Friends of the GSJ UK.

Upon retiring from JAMPRO in 1997, Simmonds volunteered to manage the small GSJ office in Kingston. In addition, she assumed the posts of secretary of the National Council and coordinator of the Kingston Chapter. She also fostered the relationship between the GSJ and the Friends of the GSJ in the United Kingdom (UK).

A release from the body notes that Simmonds ‘sought to increase the membership of the society; organised tours to various historic sites; maintained a list of historic sites in Jamaica; published a newsletter; organised talks; and was involved in organising various fundraising events to contribute to repairing and restoring various historic buildings across Jamaica’.

“Pauline has been an example that there is life after retirement and many areas of specific interest in civil society in which retirees can give voluntary service. In 2022, she retired fully due to ill-health, but still maintains her interest.”