The Barbados Museum, located at the Garrison, Barbados, is housed in the former British Military Prison. The prison, whose upper section was built in 1817 and lower section in 1853, became the headquarters of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society in 1930.

Amerindian and African artefacts, European decorative arts, rare historical maps and a display outlining the island’s coral structure can be found inside the Barbados Museum and Historical Society. The museum was once the 19th-century British Military Prison. The object of the society was to put in place a permanent record of the history of the island and to fully represent the island’s families, public men and buildings, for locals and visitors to observe and enjoy.

The museum in Barbados first opened its doors to the public in May 1934. Since 1934, the Barbados Museum has been situated within the former military prison at St. Ann’s Garrison in the St. Michael Parish, just to the south of the island’s capital of Bridgetown. This is right next to the Garisson Savannah Thoroughbred Horse Racing Track and nearby The Hilton Hotel, The Savannah Hotel, Amaryliss Beach Resort, Coconut Court and other Bridgetown Barbados Hotels.

If you are interested in history and heritage, be sure to visit George Washington House which is just a short distance from the Barbados Museum. The future American President stayed here in 1751. In fact Barbados was the only country he ever visited outside colonial America!

The Barbados Museum is a popular historical attraction for many visitors to the island. Often referred to as the home of Barbadian culture and heritage, the museum in Barbados serves as a comprehensive reference to the history of Barbados and its inhabitants. This is all presented through the wealth of artifacts, paintings, historical objects and literature contained within this impressive building.

Some of the main displays and features of the Barbados Museum are:

A natural history display that describes the coral structure of Barbados.
Artifacts of the Amerindians, the early inhabitants of the Caribbean islands.
Children’s Gallery ‘Yesterday’s Children’ which provides an exciting and educational travel back into history.
Furnishings of an eighteenth century plantation house.
A collection of rare historical maps of the island.
A reference library which is available for research on the island’s history and genealogy.

Did you know? That the Barbados Museum houses an impressive collection of over 250,000 artifacts and over 270,000 items which represent the culture, heritage and natural history of the nation.

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