See the daunting reminders of the island’s slave trade and learn about the Arawak people in the city’s oldest surviving building.
The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is a fascinating institution that sheds light on the islands’ indigenous history and culture. The collection is kept in an impressive colonial structure dating back to 1747. Learn about the intriguing past and traditions of this archipelago in the exhibits of the museum.
Capture photos of the old courthouse that contains the collection. Notice its large windows and elegant façade. Make your way inside to see the array of fascinating exhibits, including the life-size replica of an indigenous Arawak house.
The museum contains many other artifacts and tools that describe the ways of the Arawak people, whose language and culture spread across South America and the rest of the Caribbean region. Peruse the exhibits of pottery and basketry for a sense of local handicraft traditions. See displays on the region’s ecosystems and spot prehistoric tools.
Find out about the effect of the region’s slave trade. See the displays about the sugar plantations on the island. This solemn part of the museum explores plantation life for the slaves.
Glimpse the local culture in some of the modern displays. Among the highlights is the cricket bat used by Antiguan sports hero Viv Richards in a test match against England.
Look around the gift shop for its range of jewellery, handicrafts and works of art by local artists. You can also find books on specialized topics, such as archaeology and Antiguan history.
The museum opens Monday through Saturday from morning until late afternoon and has an entrance fee.
Find the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda in the heart of St. John’s on the western flank of Antigua. It is just a few blocks west of the East Bus Station. Visit nearby sights, such as Heritage Quay, St. John’s Cathedral and the Antigua Recreation Ground.
