Barbadian Museums

Barbados Museums Contain a Wealth of Artifacts and Historical Information

Touring one or all of the museums and historical sites in Barbados during a visit to the island can be very educational. Visiting the museum(s) allows visitors to travel back in history and learn more about the island. Barbados was “discovered” over 380 years ago, and the island’s current-day museums hold many stories, artifacts, and other pieces of history that are shared with all visitors who wish to learn more about the island. Following are descriptions of the most recommended museums in Barbados.

The Barbados Museum and Historical Society

Housed in a former military prison, the Barbados Museum and Historical Society is a site that contains displays related to the history of Barbados, the history of the island’s culture, a display of antique maps, pieces of fine art created by Barbados’ most famous artists, and much more. Not only does the Barbados Museum and Historical Society hold and display numerous tangible pieces of the island’s history, but it also contains a library which can be used as a reference for anyone who wants to learn more details about Barbados’ history. For anyone who wants more information about the museum, and cannot travel all the way to Barbados, the museum may be accessed via the internet at www.barbmuse.org.

Sunbury Plantation House

The Sunbury Plantation House was built in approximately 1660 by one of the first settlers on the island of Barbados. The house has a deep historical importance to Barbados because it has survived for over 300 years on the island. During those 300 years, the house and land it sits on has been owned by many people and families and has seen many changes (both good and bad) that Barbados has endured. The house contains original furniture, fixtures, antiques, pieces of art, china, and more. It’s the only house of its kind that is open for all visitors to view and appreciate. The house has withstood many hurricanes and fires over the past several hundred years, but it has been restored to depict and preserve the heritage of the past.

The Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum and Factory

Growing and processing sugar was the staple of the Barbadian economy for hundreds of years. This museum shows the history of sugar cultivation and production in Barbados and has examples of the machinery that was used to harvest sugar cane hundreds of years ago. It’s possible to take a tour of the sugar museum and factory and a sample of the sugar is given to every visitor. Anyone who likes the taste of sugar will enjoy visiting!

Tyrol Cot Heritage Village

Tyrol Cot was where the first Prime Minister of Barbados lived, as well as his son who eventually became the second Prime Minister of Barbados. The house has turned into a museum dedicated to preserving a piece of the island’s history. It also contains many of the original items owned by Sir Grantley Adams, who was the one of Barbados’ founding fathers (and also the first Prime Minister). The Village is a replica of what life looked like in the 1920s and it’s filled with authentic-looking shops and museum. The shops sell items such as rum, as well as many hand-crafted items. The artisan’s shops are filled with pieces created by locals and are popular items that tourists regularly purchase.