Overview:

The Old Consulate, Calabar, Cross Rivers State In Nigeria, is an iconic edifice situated in the heart of Calabar - the capital of Cross Rivers State. It is located within the sprawling residential and business district of Calabar Municipality. The building was constructed in the year 1890 to serve as a consulate for the Royal Niger Company which was the main trading and administrative body in the region at the time. The building has a very unique architectural design and it is one of the most important landmarks in Calabar. It reflects the rich history of Calabar as an integral part of the early Nigerian economy. The area around the Old Consulate is now a bustling commercial area. The Old Consulate is today a tourist attraction, drawing people from all corners of Nigeria and the rest of the world. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

- Colonial-style architecture - Large portico with French doors - Wooden stairway leading to the entrance hall - Tower with a viewpoint at the top providing panoramic views of the Cross River - Marble floors and pillars throughout the interior - Grand staircase with several stories of antique furniture - Variety of ornate furniture pieces from Europe - White-washed walls with distinctive blue decor - Monumental sandstone sculptures - Colorful flowerbeds in the garden You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

The Old Consulate in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria, was built by the American Baptist Church Mission in 1897 and served as the seat of the Americans in Nigeria during colonial times. The mission acquired the rights to construct and manage the consulate along with other properties in the area, in recognition of its role in educational and missionary entrepreneurship across Nigeria. The Consulate was the first diplomatic mission for the American Government established in Nigeria. It was also the first West African consulate in the world. In 1900, the American Consulate became an official United States post under the U.S. Ambassador to the Colony of Nigeria. The Consulate was an important part of the historic Calabar community, commonly known as "Old Calabar". It was a place for relaxation, hospitality, and entertainment for visiting Americans and Europeans. From the late 1800s until the late 1960s, the Old Consulate was the major center of American influences in Nigeria; at times, up to 200 American representatives were in Nigeria. The Old Consulate also served as the venue for the signing of the Treaty of Cession of British Nigeria to the United States Government in 1908. It was also used as the venue for many diplomatic meetings and conferences, including the famous negotiations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom that led to Nigeria's independence in October 1960. The Old Consulate was a landmark of Calabar until it was destroyed by fire on the night of February 28th 1971 and remains an important piece of Nigeria's history. Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Old Consulate is the oldest standing building in Calabar, dating back to 1884. 2. It was originally built by the colonial administrators as a base of operations for the British Consulate in Calabar. 3. It was designed and built by colonial engineer Robert L. Smith and is a classic example of British colonial architecture of the 19th century. 4. The building was the site of the definitive Agreement of Antagonism between the British and the Calabar Chiefs, a seminal event which heralded modern Nigerian history. 5. The Old Consulate is a National Monument and the home of the Calabar Historical Society. 6. It was the old residence of the colonial first British Consul-General and later Governor-General of the British Southern Nigeria, Alfred Moloney. 7. The Old Consulate has been used as a setting for many movies, videos and TV productions. 8. The Old Consulate is renowned for its Themed Theatre Nights where drama, comedy, talk shows and music performances are held. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era