The National Palace branch of the Institute for the Preservation of National Heritage (ISPAN) conducted an assessment visit last week to the remains of the Dessalines Barracks.

The visit was led jointly by architect Clarence Baptiste, Deputy Technical Director of ISPAN; Herlin Alexis, Commander of Doctrine and Training for the National Palace General Security Unit (USGPN); and Polycarpe Élisée, a member of the General Secretariat of the Presidency.

This visit took place within the framework of a study project aimed at the restoration and enhancement of the monument, which has been listed as a National Heritage Site since 1995.

Located in the center of the Champ de Mars, the Dessalines Barracks were built between 1912 and 1913. Following the explosion of the National Palace in 1912, the building housed the presidency before serving as a barracks from 1915 onward, during the American occupation.

Damaged by the January 12, 2010 earthquake, the Dessalines Barracks underwent partial restoration by ISPAN in 2012.

IH/ iciHaiti