Cayman Islands Museums

The Caribbean is often associated with sunny beaches, watersports, and party time; however, the approach to the cultural heritage of the Cayman Islands is an enriching experience that visitors must not overlook.

Visiting the Caymanian museums is both educative and entertaining, besides being of particularly interest for those persons who prefer to stay away from the seashore. With families traveling together, museums are a safe alternative for children.

Cayman Islands National Museum is a good example of learning and enjoyment sharing a common place, the Old Courts Building. The museum's goal is "the preservation, research and dissemination of all aspects of the Caymanian heritage for present and future generations".

Located in George Town, Grand Cayman, the museum is made up of the artifacts and items collected by Mr. Ira Thompson since the 1930s. The Government purchased Mr. Thompson's collection in 1979, the core of the Museum's exhibitions, since 1990 when it was opened to the public.

If you want to learn more about the roots of the Cayman Islands and their people, this museum houses 4,000 native items, coins, rare documents, natural history specimens and a 14-foot catboat, besides all the activities.

The Old Courts Building, where the National Museum is housed, is by itself another must-visit site. This is a surviving structure from the 19th century that has endured countless hurricanes including the devastating Ivan in 2004.

A 150 years old historic building has many things to "say". During its early days, Old Courts Building was the town jail and courthouse, and later it was used for many different purposes, including civic hall dance for Sunday activities.

The building's exterior features stairs that give rise to the saying, "Walking the twelve steps". In a building that was a courthouse, the saying literally meant being taken to court. Rehabilitated in 1990 as a museum house, there is an exhibit about this building.

Cayman Islands National Museum has another two exhibitions or remarkable interests. The Cultural History Exhibition leads the visitor on a trip back in time, discovering the origins of the Caymans Island and the evolution of the nation through their inhabitants.

The other exhibit is around Cayman Islands' natural history, presenting a detailed interactive tri-dimensional map with the actual habitats, canyons and undersea mountains surrounding the territory, accompanied by coral, limestone rock and other natural elements.

Another museum dedicated to national heritage is the Little Cayman Museum, founded by Linton Tibbetts. The museum is Located in Blossom Village, just across from the Booby Pond Nature Reserve, and within the island of the same name.

It is said that Blackbeard and his pirates stopped here for fresh water and to bury his treasure in a brick lined cave. Little Cayman Museum houses primitive relics, artifacts and kitchen utensils belonging to early settlers, as well as exhibits recalling Bloody Bay.

Cayman Brac Museum in Stake Bay, Cayman Brac, is a combination of museum and art gallery. It was enlarged a few years ago, and totally renovated as part of the Brac's observance of the Cayman Islands Quincentennial, during 2003. Following the model of its sister islands, this museum exhibit shipbuilding tools and artifacts used by Brackers for generations

Back in Grand Cayman, The Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum in George Town offers marine life without actually being in the water. Featuring dioramas on the islands past sailors' days, the exhibit displays a robotic Blackbeard spinning yarns about the Caymans' flamboyant early days.

Pedro Castle is the oldest house in Cayman Islands, dating from 1780, touted as the birthplace of democracy, because the decision to vote for elected representatives in the islands was made here in 1831 and also where Slavery Abolition Act was read in 1835. Actually, the house exhibits a showcase of native flora.

Other points of cultural interest include the ruins of the 18th century Fort George in George Town, and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, exhibiting over 300 native species of flora and fauna, including orchids, iguanas, parrots and other birds.

The development of both culture and arts is also a concern of the Cayman Islands' government promoting extracurricular activities for local schools, and special activities intended to get visitors involved. Each year, the National Children's Festival of the Arts features the talents of young Caymanian students.

Cayfest is another annual April Arts Festival launched by the Ministry of Culture since 1996, becoming a live showcase of cultural traditions performed by local artists, including competitions open to all public, such as in the literary, performing, visual, and culinary arts.

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) takes care of every aspect of festivals and exhibitions intended to promote the Caymanian heritage and divulge contemporary achievements. As a privately and governmentally funded body, the CNCF runs an annual National Playwriting Competition, and provides information on other cultural events.