National Trust of Guyana

Klien Pouderoyen Koker

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Location: Klien Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara

Classification: Civil infrastructure

Period/ Year Built: 18th century

Historical Background / Description:

Plantation Pouderoyen or Klien Pouderoijen was established by Jan Christian Swaen and his family circa 1750. The Swaen family ran the manor (heerlijkheid) Poederoijen in the Dutch province of Gelderland in Netherlands during the 18th century and this is where the plantation received its name. The village, Klien Pouderoyen is located on the West Bank of Demerara, 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) from Vreed-en-Hoop. 

The planation originally harvested coffee, but as time progressed, produced sugar and corn along with other crops. The remnants of a koker, is the only remaining structure from the plantation. Most likely built of slave labour, the structure was constructed to facilitate drainage from the estate.