Preservation and Protection of Jamaica's Built Heritage
Started as the Georgian Society of Jamaica in 1967, our organization is dedicated to preserving and protecting Jamaica’s historical buildings, monuments, artifacts, and works of art.
We are open to all members who are interested in Jamaican history, culture, or architecture and share our goals. Whether you live in Jamaica or overseas, consider becoming a member of Built Heritage Jamaica.
What's On
Join our Upcoming Events or explore all our Tours & Events here.
Discover the rich history of Jamaica’s churches with Juliet Thorburn, renowned artist and author of ‘A Watercolour Tribute to Historic Jamaican Churches’. Join us at 6:00 PM on November 7, 2024, at Stella Maris, Kingston.
Built Heritage Jamaica is hosting its annual Collectibles Fair. Browse through a diverse assortment of china, glassware, artwork, furniture, books, and more, all available at great prices. Join us at ‘Regardless’ on November 15-16, 2024.
Built Heritage Jamaica toured Kitson Town and Guanaboa Vale, visiting one of Jamaica’s oldest surviving churches and exploring sites of the former St. John Parish. Our guide, Kennedy Reid, shared lesser-known stories of the area.
What is Heritage?
Heritage refers to any place, structure, or artifact that holds significant historical, social, or cultural value.
How Old is “Old”?
For a place to be considered a heritage or historic site, it generally needs to be at least 50 years old, a guideline commonly followed by many countries and organizations, including UNESCO.
However, exceptions can be made for sites of exceptional importance, even if they are younger.
View from Greenwood Great House, St.James.
In Jamaica, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) applies a stricter rule, requiring a place to be at least 75 years old to be considered heritage.
What is Built Heritage?
Built heritage encompasses all man-made structures, monuments, and artifacts that hold historical, cultural, or architectural value. These elements represent the physical legacy of past generations, preserving the complex stories of our history.
St.James Parish Church, Montego Bay.
Why Built Heritage is Important
Cultural Identity
Built heritage preserves a country’s unique identity, fostering a sense of belonging and shared history while reflecting the values, traditions, and cultural legacy of its people.
Evidence
Built heritage serves as physical proof of historical events, providing a reliable counter to distorted narratives and misinformation, preserving the truth for future generations.
Tourism
Landmarks draw tourists, boosting the local economy and offering visitors the chance to learn about Jamaica and gain a deeper understanding of Caribbean history.
Why Preserve Colonial Buildings
“I saw it with my own eyes!” – but in today’s digital world, our history can easily be distorted.
Deceptively real images and videos can be created in minutes, fueling speculation, denial, and misinformation. What we take for granted today can quickly be forgotten or reinterpreted, leaving our past vulnerable to manipulation.
Historical buildings are reliable counter-evidence.
Structures like plantation estates, courthouses, and churches provide tangible proof of Jamaica’s history, also including uncomfortable truths of our past. They challenge the glorified narratives taught for years, revealing the harsh reality of our journey.
The chute at Potosi Estate, Trelawny.
‘Slave Hospital’ at Orange Valley Estate, Trelawny.
Yet, it is through this struggle that Jamaica has become the resilient and culturally influential nation it is today, inspiring liberation movements across the globe and fostering a people renowned for their strength and talent.
Built heritage is our most vital historical evidence, standing as “living” witnesses to this journey, even after centuries. In a world where anything can be artificially created with ease, built heritage remains a testament to reality.
This is why our buildings, monuments, and artifacts are more important now than ever before.
If you also wish to help preserve Jamaica’s heritage, join Built Heritage Jamaica today.