What is the Heritage Inventory?
The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago manages the Heritage Asset Inventory. The Inventory is the official list of properties, natural sites, districts, manuscripts, buildings, structures, and objects significant in Trinidad and Tobago’s history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, culture, as well as with sociological and economical interest. The properties listed are important to the history of their community and the nation. From this inventory, sites are chosen to move into the listing stages to be protected as a National Heritage Site. Find out more information about the sites in our Heritage Asset Inventory.
What are the Results of Listing?
In addition to national recognition, listing a site as a National Heritage Site under the in the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago Act of 1991 has the following results for historic properties:
- The National Trust Act of 1991 requires that property owners including government agencies allow the Council an opportunity to approve and comment on all projects affecting historic properties either listed in or determined eligible for listing in the National Register. The National Trust oversees and ensures the consideration of historic properties in all restoration or construction works.
- Consideration of historic values in the decision to issue a height restriction, property value etc. Town and Country Planning can negotiate with property owners for benefits on other properties in lieu of preserving a historic building.
- Qualification for International grants for historic preservation, when funds are available. Owners of private property listed under the National Trust Act are free to maintain, manage, or request funds from International bodies such as the US Ambassador’s Fund, UNESCO and ICOMOS.
What are the Restrictions, Rules and Regulations for Property Owners with Listed Sites? Can I Modify, Remodel, or Renovate, My Historic House?
A property owner can do whatever they want with their property within the rules of the Grade it was listed under and subject to the approval of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago. See National Trust Act for Grades. However, before this occurs, the property owner must contact the National Trust to approve the plans for changes. The Trust will work closely with Town and Country Planning to ensure the building is restored within the rules of the Restoration Guidelines and help property owners along the way through the recommendations. The National Trust must be made aware of the proposed changes before a property owner undertakes a project with a historic property.
How do I get a Plaque?
Unfortunately the National Trust does not issue commemorative plaques as a result of listing at this time; rather we leave it up to the individual owners if they are interested in having one.
How do I get a Copy of the File you have on a Property?
We are currently digitizing our records and making them available online in our database. For properties that have not been digitized and put into the database you can request a copy by emailing us. Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, the historic name of the property, its exact location. If the property is in a historic district, please include the name of the district. Depending upon our work schedules and how many requests we receive our turnaround time for copy requests is about 2 weeks.
How is a Property Listed as a National Heritage Site?
A historic property goes through several stages before it is listed as a National Heritage Site: Stage 1 – Nomination of the Heritage Site & Information Gathering Stage 2 – Identification & Inclusion of Heritage Site on Inventory of Properties Stage 3 – Decision Made by the National Trust Council to list as a Heritage Site Stage 4 – Preparation of Dossier for Heritage Site by the National Trust Stage 5 – Presentation and Acceptance of Dossier by the National Trust Council Stage 6 – Gazette Notice & Inform Owner of Intention to list as a Heritage Site Stage 7 – Heritage Site is listed on Register of Heritage Sites Stage 8 – Listing Completed & Heritage Site Protected Under the Act
How can I Update Information for a Property that is Already Listed?
In order to update information in our file on a historic property the new information has to go to the Trust Council. We encourage you to share more information on our sites. So, if you feel that the information on the page needs to be updated, you should fill out the Nomination Form and we will get back to you within 2 weeks.
I am Pretty sure that a Property is Listed, but I cannot find it in your Database, why is that?
The property could be within a historic district. A historic district is: a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. Unfortunately, our database does not include every address within historic districts. If you know the name of a historic district that the property is in, we can look in the file and verify that it is a contributing resource in the district. You can also contact us via the Feedback Form and we will further be able to inform you on the status of the site in question.
How do I Contact you, What is your Address?
You can contact us
- Via e-mail
- Staff Contacts
- Office Phone: 1(868) 225-4750
- Office Cell: 1(868) 706-6316
- Contact to ask for information specifically on a listed property: e-mail: Feedback Form
- Mail — If you mail something to us you can use: National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, Mille Fleurs
23 Maraval Road, St Clair.
Remember to put in: target employee name and heritage site in question
How Old does a Property have to be to Qualify for Listing?
Generally, properties eligible for listing in the National Register are at least 50 years old. Properties less than 50 years of age must be exceptionally important to be considered eligible for listing.
I want to know if a property is listed, how can I do that?
Please look at the Inventory of Properties of Interest Information System on the website, our database of properties listed is available for viewing on our website. The Inventory is arranged by the name of the property. You can search by: Name, Other Known Name, Address, Town/City, Region, Site Type, Website Links, Brief Historical Description, Ownership, Public Accessibility, Listing Status, Habitat, Eco-System, Cultural Community, Site Features.
I am a member of the National Trust, what can you do for me?
You can enjoy many benefits to membership:
- Free Subscription to our Quarterly Newsletter
- Discounts on National Trust Publications
- Preferential Invitation to all Tours, Lectures and National Trust Events
- Access to Information on all Heritage Sites
- Member discounts on all National Trust activities.
Not a member yet? Visit our membership page and sign up!
How often do you conduct tours and lectures?
The National Trust conducts several lectures, public and school tours to Nelson Island and various other sites every month. The activity schedule is available on What’s On. Note that school tours will not advertised as they are not open to the public and are for Primary and Secondary schools. Should you wish to add your school to our list, send us an email at info@nationaltrust.tt / admin@nationaltrust.tt
I want to use the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago logo, is it registered trademark?
Use of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago logo can only be authorized by the council of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago. The logo represents much more than a symbol and we have certain requirements for its use. Contact us for permission and specifications at info@nationaltrust.tt / admin@nationaltrust.tt
I want to use the photographs in your files, is it copyrighted?
Use of text, images and other content, including registration forms and photographs on this website are subject to the following terms and conditions:
CONTENT IS PROTECTED BY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS
This website includes both Government content that is in the public domain; as well as resources such as photographs, audio and video clips contributed or licensed by third parties that may be protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Although every effort has been made to obtain appropriate permissions and correct attribution, we welcome any information to update our records.
RESTRICTION OF LIABILITY
The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this website and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this website. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this website or its hyperlinks to other Internet resources. Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago.
ENDORSEMENT
Some of the website’s pages contain links to third party websites. The linked sites are not under our control of the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is not responsible for the contents of any linked website. These links are provided as a convenience only and shall not be construed as an endorsement of, sponsorship of, or affiliated with the linked website by the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago.
Image Rights and Reproduction Guidelines
For permission to reproduce or use the materials on this website please contact the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago
These FAQs never answer my question, I still have a question
Use our Feedback Form or contact us at 225-4750 or email us at info@nationaltrust.tt / admin@nationaltrust.tt
