Two storey board house (2018)Original Source: Isatu Smith, West Africa Heritage Consultants Ltd
Time, an enemy
Worn due to several environmental and man-made factors, the board houses are slowly getting lost on the nation’s architectural landscape. There is urgent need conservation and protection of this national heritage resource from extinction.
A treasure for generations
The origin, designs and importance of board houses must be included in school and university curricula. A nation must learn its heritage.
More incentives for heritage protection
A heritage trust fund and incentive scheme should be introduced to encourage owners to preserve their board house, and motivate the Krios to construct more board houses.
For all and sundry
Can community ownership do the trick? A support group of board house owners should be established for addressing common problems with the houses. Youth have a role in preserving them, too.
Law enforcement, another way.
Heritage conservation laws should be enforced, punishing anybody or group that destroys the board houses which are a national asset.
Blue two storey board house (2018)Original Source: Isatu Smith, West Africa Heritage Consultants Ltd
An emblem of shared values
These wooden houses, predominantly scattered in parts of Freetown such as Kroo Tong, Congo Tong, King Tom, Fourah Bay, Murray Tong, Brookfields and Regent Village, are a living emblem of Sierra Leone's history, its peoples and cultures. Thus, they require heritage conservation.
