Museum sights in Belize
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Museum of Belize
This excellent modern museum in the Fort George district is a must-see for anyone interested in the story of Belize. Housed in the country’s former main jail (built of brick in 1857), the museum preserves one cell in its original state, complete with inmates’ graffiti; if you thought your hotel room was cramped, think again! Fascinating historical photos and documents bear testimony to the colonial and independence eras and the destruction wrought by hurricanes. The Maya Treasures section, upstairs, is rather light on artifacts (most of Belize’s finest Maya finds were spirited away to other countries) but makes up for that with informative models and explanations. Othe…
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Gulisi Garifuna Museum
This museum, operated by the National Garifuna Council (NGC), is a must for anyone interested in the vibrant Garifuna people. The museum is 2 miles out of town, but is easily reached by bicycle. It brings together artifacts, pictures and documents on Garifuna history and culture, including film of the original punta rockers, Pen Cayetano and the Turtle Shell Band, in Dangriga back in 1983. The museum hosts exhibitions, workshops and Garifuna language courses, schedules for which can be obtained at its musical website.
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Coastal Zone Museum
Next door to, and entered from, the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Terminal, this small museum has a limited number of pictures, models and carapaces of Belizean aquatic life, plus summary information on the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage sites and a few dioramas of marine ecosystems. The museum merits a peek if you’re in the area.
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Belize Archives Department
The Belize Archives Department has rotating displays on hurricanes, the Garifuna, Belmopan, Baron Bliss and other subjects. The extensive collections of photographs, newspapers, books, maps, documents and sound and video archives are also open to the public.
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D
Government House
Fronting the sea down at the end of Regent St, this handsome two-story wooden colonial mansion served as the residence of Britain’s superintendents and governors of Belize from its construction in 1814 until 1996. The house, one of the oldest in Belize, is now a cultural center and museum – well worth a visit for its historical exhibits, colorful displays of modern Belizean art, spacious colonial ambience and grassy gardens. It was here at midnight on September 21, 1981 that the Union Jack was ceremonially replaced with the Belizean flag to mark the birth of independent Belize. Displayed in the gardens is the tender from Baron Bliss’ yacht.
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