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The Jamaican Government has launched a search for architects and other professionals to design the Morant Bay Museum, which is expected to draw visitors to the parish of St Thomas.
The St Thomas Chamber of Commerce anticipates increased commercial activity from museum tours and tourist spending.
The museum will honour those who perished during the historic Morant Bay Rebellion and is the latest development project for the parish. It is expected to attract heritage tourists, and this will likely benefit the new urban centre being developed nearby. The museum aims to become a premier attraction for both locals and visitors.
Replacing the old courthouse, which was destroyed by fire in 2007, the museum will be located in the town centre of Morant Bay. Meanwhile, construction of the $6-billion urban centre continues on the outskirts, near the old Goodyear factory. The development, located beside the new courthouse, will include some 50 stores, a shopping mall, two banks, and other amenities. The state-led Factories Corporation of Jamaica, spearheading the project, expects to finish it by December.
“I think they will complement each other. People who visit the museum will not leave without going to the urban centre,” said Tishauna Mullings, head of public relations at the St Thomas Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with the Financial Gleaner. “They are minutes apart,” she said.
The parish already attracts visitors to its existing landmarks, such as Reggae Falls and the Morant Point Lighthouse, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, said Mullings. However, she expects the museum to initially draw locals.
The museum is expected to reflect the cultural and historical significance of the Morant Bay Rebellion.
“We are seeking architects with a deep understanding of historical and cultural preservation,” said the CHASE Fund, the state entity overseeing the design aspect of the project. “The museum will provide an immersive experience, combining educational and artistic elements to preserve the memory of the struggle for justice.”
The Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865 was a pivotal event in Jamaica’s colonial history, marked by an uprising against injustice and oppression. Officially, hundreds were killed, and the leaders, Paul Bogle and George William Gordon, were hanged by the State. Both were named national heroes about a century later.
CHASE expects interest from local and international architectural firms. The bids, due by November 11, will be evaluated on technical expertise, experience with museum projects, and knowledge of government regulations, according to the tender document. The government hopes the museum will serve as both a reminder of the past and a beacon for the future, incorporating modern interactive features, while preserving the authenticity of the historical narrative.
This initiative is part of Jamaica’s broader strategy to promote cultural heritage tourism in less-travelled areas, as well as being a component of the programme to revitalise the Morant Bay area.
The CHASE Fund is collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, as well as the Jamaica National Heritage Trust and the Institute of Jamaica on the museum project.
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