The public is being encouraged to help repaint HM Prison Museum in Main Street, Tortola, on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Photo: VINO/File

During an interview with JTV Channel 55 on Monday, March 16, 2026, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade, and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), stated, “ It’s a great, historic, significance for many years, it was the prison. It's now the old prison, but it's a very popular museum that's visited by residents and visitors alike.” Photo: Facebook

Local community organizations, schools, clubs, and Virgin Islanders are being encouraged to grab a paintbrush and support the Roots to Resilience project, which aims to give the old prison building, now a museum, a facelift in Road Town. Photo: Facebook

During an interview with JTV Channel 55 on Monday, March 16, 2026, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade, and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), stated, “It’s a great, historic significance for many years; it was the prison. It's now the old prison, but it's a very popular museum that's visited by residents and visitors alike.”

Community program

The Roots to Resilience: Together We Thrive initiative, now in its second year, is a multi-faceted community programme in the Virgin Islands launched by Honourable Smith. The programme aims to foster vibrant, healthy, and united communities across the territory by improving public spaces and boosting community pride.

Facelift of the old prison

The project to enhance the old prison in Road Town will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The minister indicated that volunteers from Virgin Voyages have agreed to assist with painting the old prison.

“We're very pleased that we are having assistance from Virgin Voyages, volunteers, they are going to be supporting us. This is the 2nd time they've supported it. They did support us when we were at East End, and now they're going to support us in town. We're expecting at least 20 persons, and we are very, very pleased that they are doing so,” said Hon Smith.

Encourage locals to participate 

However, Hon Smith emphasised that this project belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands, and they should take ownership by participating. “This is our project. This is not a project for visitors. Although we appreciate the support that we are getting.”

She further encouraged members of the Road Town community to come out between 8:00 AM and midday to help with the painting. “We are calling on persons in the community. Persons who are from community organisations, schools, I am certainly calling on my colleagues in the rotary clubs to come out and support us, and just wield a paint brush.”