Barbados Museums

Due to the rich history of Barbados, from early Amerindians settlers to the British Colonization, not only museums, but also a large number of settings speak loudly to visitors about the cultural heritage of the Barbadians.

The legacy of the past times is preserved in Barbados' historic buildings and old plantation houses, many of them transformed into museums. Exploring the historic side of this Caribbean Island is finding the other side of entertainment.

The following are the most visited museums and historical sites in Barbados:

WEST INDIES SUGAR CANE BREEDING STATION (WICSCBS)

This is one of the two oldest sugar cane breeding Stations in the world that maintains a continuous breeding program since 1888, after the rediscovery of seedlings in Barbados, and actually owned by the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) since 1962.

The original name "West Indies Sugar Association" referred to the member countries: Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Trinidad. Today, the SAC conducts different research programs, including high quality breeding, genetic base broadening, high biomass and exhibits old artifacts as part of the Stations collection.

THE BARBADOS MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Established in 1933 this museum was founded by Mr. Eustace Maxwell Shilstone with the purpose “to study and put on permanent record the history of the Island, its leading families and public men, old buildings and other matters of interest to antiquarians in Barbados and overseas”.

The museum consist of 7 galleries housed in historic buildings which were formerly used as the military prison at St. Ann’s Garrison due to the numerous military conflicts in the Caribbean zone during the 18th century. During this time, England and France fought for supremacy in Barbados, resulting in the building of Garrisons, including the forts and naval dockyards.

During the 19th century, the Garrisons were expanded, and during 1816, most of the buildings had been constructed and designed as a military prison in 1853.

The Barbados Museum and Historical Society's buildings are the only ones of their type in the region and only one of the 12 prisons with such characteristics constructed anywhere in the British Empire.

In the late 19th century, the British reduced their forces in the region, departing definitely by 1906, when the last British regiment abandoned the island. The Garrison buildings, including the prison were handed over to the Barbados Government, which were used for different purposes.

During 1933, the Garrisons were leased for a peppercorn to the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, and until present day. In 1989, a new administration building was completed and named the Jack Dear Wing in honor of the late President of the Museum, Sir J.S.B. Dear.

This museum by itself is an exhibit, but it also contains diverse artifacts, furnishings, collections and rare historical maps.

SUNBURY PLANTATION HOUSE

Built around 1660 by the Irish-English planter Matthew Chapman, this plantation is one of the first on the island. Chapman was related to the Earl of Carlisle and through this kinship, was granted land on Barbados. In fact, the name of Chapman appears on the first map of the island in 1638.

On a 1674 map, Chapman Plantation is shown as operating with a Cattle Mill. Matthew Chapman purchased neighboring lands to enlarge his Plantation, but after his death in 1693, it was sold to Nathaniel Branker, renaming the plantation Brankers after its second owner until 1763 when it was sold to James Butler Harris.

After the death of Mr. Harris 14 years later, the plantation was sold again, this time to John and George Barrow, who lived in Sunbury from 1775 to 1835. During the first few years, the Plantation was know as "Brothers" but later renamed to Sunbury, its actual name, and after their home in Kent, England.

The museum exhibits the history of over 300 years, including old prints, antiques and a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages. John Henry Barrow planted a grove of 300 mahogany trees in the late 18th century, the first to be introduced to the Barbados, and over a third of those trees remain today.

HUTSON SUGAR MUSEUM

Also known as, The Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Machinery Museum, this setting is a permanent memory of the sugar cane productions during the 18th and the 19th centuries. The museum is a tribute to Sir Frank Hutson, who collected many of the items in the museum, with close assistance from the Barbados National Trust.

Located in the yard of the Portvale sugar factory, the museum is open year-round; however, there is an exhibit of machinery that is only displayed from February to May, allowing visitors to compare machinery of previous times with the modern machinery of the Portvale factory located there.