House of Culture

Lonely Planet review

Formerly Government House, this handsome two-story wooden colonial mansion served as the residence of British superintendents and governors of Belize from its construction in 1814 until 1996. Today it's a cultural center and museum - well worth a gander for the fascinating historical exhibits, colorful Belizean art, colonial ambience and green gardens.

The mansion, fronting the sea at the end of Regent St, is one of the oldest houses in Belize. As the clock ticked midnight on September 21, 1981, it was here that the Union Jack was ceremonially replaced by the Belizean flag to mark the birth of independent Belize. Displayed in the gardens is the tender from Baron Bliss' yacht.