Barbados Museum & Historical Society, Bridgetown (must see)
The Barbados Museum & Historical Society is a cornerstone of cultural preservation in Bridgetown. Established in 1933, this non-profit institution was born out of a community-driven effort to safeguard and share the island鈥檚 rich history. It stands today as the premier authority on Barbados鈥� past, with a mandate to collect, document, and conserve the nation鈥檚 cultural, historical, and environmental heritage.
Housed in a former military prison built in 1818, the museum is located within Saint Ann鈥檚 Garrison, a significant part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. The building itself is a relic of colonial military history, lending an atmospheric backdrop to the vast collection inside.
The museum boasts seven permanent galleries, showcasing over 500,000 artifacts, although only a fraction is publicly displayed. These exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from Barbados鈥� indigenous cultures, colonial history, and African heritage to the island鈥檚 natural environment and coral reef structures. One particularly engaging exhibit, "Yesterday鈥檚 Children," offers a historical perspective through the eyes of young Barbadians.
For researchers and history enthusiasts, the Shilstone Memorial Library houses a rare collection of historical maps, manuscripts, and genealogical records, while the Newton Slave Burial Ground, acquired by the museum in 1993, serves as an important site of memory and reflection on Barbados' enslaved past.
Beyond exhibitions, the museum actively engages with the community through educational programs, research services, cultural events, and guided tours, making it an essential resource for scholars, genealogists, and curious visitors alike. With its blend of traditional displays and evolving programming, the Barbados Museum & Historical Society remains an enduring guardian of the island鈥檚 heritage.
Housed in a former military prison built in 1818, the museum is located within Saint Ann鈥檚 Garrison, a significant part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. The building itself is a relic of colonial military history, lending an atmospheric backdrop to the vast collection inside.
The museum boasts seven permanent galleries, showcasing over 500,000 artifacts, although only a fraction is publicly displayed. These exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from Barbados鈥� indigenous cultures, colonial history, and African heritage to the island鈥檚 natural environment and coral reef structures. One particularly engaging exhibit, "Yesterday鈥檚 Children," offers a historical perspective through the eyes of young Barbadians.
For researchers and history enthusiasts, the Shilstone Memorial Library houses a rare collection of historical maps, manuscripts, and genealogical records, while the Newton Slave Burial Ground, acquired by the museum in 1993, serves as an important site of memory and reflection on Barbados' enslaved past.
Beyond exhibitions, the museum actively engages with the community through educational programs, research services, cultural events, and guided tours, making it an essential resource for scholars, genealogists, and curious visitors alike. With its blend of traditional displays and evolving programming, the Barbados Museum & Historical Society remains an enduring guardian of the island鈥檚 heritage.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bridgetown. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Barbados Museum & Historical Society on Map
Sight Name: Barbados Museum & Historical Society
Sight Location: Bridgetown, Barbados (See walking tours in Bridgetown)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bridgetown, Barbados (See walking tours in Bridgetown)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bridgetown, Barbados
Create Your Own Walk in Bridgetown
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bridgetown is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridgetown Introduction Walking Tour
Bridgetown is the largest city on the island of Barbados. It was founded on the shores of Carlisle Bay, a cove on the southwest coast. The harbor is the natural location for ships to anchor, and Barbados is one of the first landfall points after crossing the Atlantic from Europe.
Originally, the island of Barbados was visited by various Amerindian tribes. Evidence has shown that permanent... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Originally, the island of Barbados was visited by various Amerindian tribes. Evidence has shown that permanent... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Garrison Historic Area Walking Tour
St. Ann's Garrison, more commonly known simply as "The Garrison", is a small district in Barbados situated some 2 miles south of Heroes Square in the capital-city of Bridgetown.
This historic area is dominated by a horse racetrack, located on the 30 acre parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. Here, in the mid 18th century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
This historic area is dominated by a horse racetrack, located on the 30 acre parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. Here, in the mid 18th century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles