Many people flock to the Island of Jamaica each year, in search of the beautiful atmosphere and panaramic scenery it offers. From beaches and theme parks to endless activities, Jamaica is a tourist hotspot and continues to grow in popularity. Perhaps its most enticing feature is its rich culture that has evolved for centuries, from colonial times to the modern era.
Quite a lot of this history and culture is well captured and preserved in various museums across the island, and each one is worth visiting while on vacation in Jamaica. To help you out, here is a list of some of the museums you can check out while visiting Jamaica:
The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston
Aside from Usain Bolt, Bob Marley is the most popular figure to come from Jamaica. Known for his revolutionary music and style that caught the attention of global audiences, Bob Marley built a solid legacy during his time that continues to be celebrated to this day. He was so famous that his home in Kingston was turned into what is known today as the Bob Marley Museum, and it’s definitely worth a look.
The Firefly Estate in Oracabessa
The name of this museum is quite self-explanatory. It was indeed named after fireflies that glow around the estate at night and was once the home of an infamous governor and pirate named Sir Henry Morgan. It is a simple yet elegant estate whose history alone is worth making the trip to see it.
The National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston
Home to some of the best and priciest art in the country, the National Gallery of Jamaica is frequented by many people, local and foreign, to take in the beautiful art created by revered Jamaican artists. These include the likes of Carl Abrahams and Mallica Reynolds.
The People’s Museum of Craft and Technology in Spanish Town
This particular museum is perhaps not for the faint hearted as it contains painful memories of colonialism and the various tools that were used to punish people during that era. It also contains a walk-through history of Jamaican slavery, which includes instruments and machines that were used to farm coffee and sugar, among other things.
The Columbus Park Museum in Ochos Rios
This museum contains almost every popular, and even the quirkiest facts about the island of Jamaica, from its early days to nowadays. With exhibits such as sugar boiling utensils, to ship anchors, there is a huge variety of things to see, all within the same building.
Jamaica has quite an elaborate history with various prominent figures that have been honored and documented in various museums across the country. We have named a few of the best in our opinion, but there are also plenty of other museums to see in Jamaica, and each one tells its own unique story that is sure to capture your interest and maybe give you a brief history lesson or two.