Morant Bay Court House, St. Thomas, second half of 18th c and the site of the tragic end to the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865
The scene of the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865, the Morant Bay Courthouse is one of the most important buildings in the island’s history, but has suffered damage in more than one fire, the most recent in 2007.
It is now a burnt-out ruin, but a recent structural survey by two FGSJ experts has established that the shell is sound and a restoration perfectly achievable. A FGSJ tour party visited the ruin in 2010 and we were in correspondence with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust over plans to restore the courthouse.
The FGSJ hopes to be able to support this important project if restoration proceeds. Experience has shown time and again that, if a historic building is restored and given a purpose valued by the local community, it stands a much greater chance of being cared for and looked after.
