Old HM Prison museum to be opened this tourist season- Premier Smith
Since taking office in 2011, the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had promised to convert the old prison into a historical site and museum.
It had even received help with some ground cleaning from crew members who came on board the visiting Naval Support, RFA WAVE KNIGHT back in March 2013.
A Mr Hugh R. Whistler, who had identified himself as the Project Manager for the clean-up, renovation and setting up of the museum, had told Virgin Islands News Online that he was happy that the project was finally off the ground. He added that for many years he was on the ‘heel’ of the authorities to have the building converted to a museum. “Yes, it was my idea which was supported by the Governor and the Premier agreed to have it done,” Mr Whistler had said back in 2013.
New historical site & museum
In a statement today, November 14, 2016 marking November as Caribbean Tourism Month, Premier and Minister for Tourism Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith announced that the museum will be opened this tourist season, although he did not give a date.
“On Tortola, significant assistance has been provided for the enhancement of the St. Phillip’s Anglican Church at Kingstown which should be open to the public in time for high season. Restoration and interpretation work on the Beef Island Toll Booth has commenced and the old Her Majesty’s Prison on Main Street will be opened this season as a new historical site and museum,” Premier Smith said.
Back in 2013, Minister for Communication and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool had said that a sum of $100,000 was budgeted for the exercise but had subsequently said that cost might have to be revised based on further assessment.
Though overgrown with bushes, a walk through the facility more than two years ago had revealed that it was in near excellent shape with almost every cell still intact; some even had the original beds used by prisoners.
The cell that seemed to have the interest of most persons was that where executions took place. The cell still had the wooden floor intact. It is said that the wooden flooring of that cell was specific to executions as the prisoners would fall through during the process.
Tourism numbers up
Meanwhile, Premier Smith in his statement today said statistics from the Central Statistics Office show that at the end of August this year, the Virgin Islands welcomed a total of 781,465 visitors, up 27.1 percent from the same period in 2015 including 465,870 cruise visitors, an increase of 47.9 percent; 301,841 overnight, an increase of 3.6 percent; 12,754 day trippers, an increase of 52.1 percent.
"This season, we expect to see a record number of cruise visitors and we expect to see an increase in the overnight arrivals. Let us welcome them and ensure that their time spent with us is memorable," Premier Smith stated.
16 Responses to “Old HM Prison museum to be opened this tourist season- Premier Smith”
Moreover, the definitely needs more attractions and cleaning up to become an attractions and attractive small,top tourist destination. Tourists arrivals are supposedly up but the economy is stagnant. Is financial services, the leading money/revenue earner, on the slide? Or is there something else causing the economic stagnation?
the weaker the cloth and we lose history.