Morant Bay Courthouse museum plans advance in St. Thomas

Plans are moving forward to redevelop the historic Morant Bay Courthouse in St. Thomas as a museum focused on the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion.

Representatives of the CHASE Fund, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, design consultants and the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation recently toured the property as work continues on the concept and design stage of the project.

The courthouse was gutted by fire in 2007. It remains one of Jamaica’s most important heritage sites because of its connection to the rebellion led by National Hero Paul Bogle.

The Institute of Jamaica is also involved in the redevelopment and is expected to guide the handling of artefacts and the creation of the museum’s interior displays.

Officials expect the project to safeguard an important part of Jamaica’s past while creating an educational and cultural attraction for future generations.