About

About Jamaican Heritage Renewal

What we do

Jamaican Heritage Renewal supports the conservation and restoration of Jamaica’s historic assets because they are part of the island’s rich cultural heritage. They are an invaluable asset for Jamaicans to appreciate and learn from.

We do not ourselves undertake restoration projects, but work with partner organisations in Jamaica, providing advice and grants. We also lobby in support of the preservation and restoration of important structures.

To stimulate interest in and promote an appreciation of the value of Jamaica’s heritage, we hold several talks a year. We also publish newsletters and, in the past, have organised heritage tours to Jamaica.

How we raise funds

Our funds come from membership subscriptions, donations, and from fundraising events.

 

Our aims

(a) to promote and advance, for the benefit of the public, the preservation, restoration and maintenance of Jamaica’s historic buildings, monuments, and designed landscapes, to include sympathetic repurposing to incorporate modern design and uses;

(b) to promote and advance, for the benefit of the public, the conservation of Jamaica’s historic material culture including manuscripts, artefacts, works of art, furniture and fixtures;

(c) to collaborate with Built Heritage Jamaica and organisations with similar objects to support their work and aims;

(d) to promote, where possible, the enactment, rescission or alteration of legislation to enable the accomplishment of the aims set out above in (a), (b) and (c);

(e) to stimulate interest in, and promote an appreciation of, the value of Jamaica’s heritage; and

(f) to advance the education of the public in the subject of Jamaica’s heritage.

 

Our history

Jamaican Heritage Renewal (JHR) enlarges on the work of the Friends of the Georgian Society of Jamaica (FGSJ) and its partner organisation in Jamaica, Built Heritage Jamaica (formerly the Georgian Society of Jamaica). The GSJ was established in 1967 with a particular concern over the destruction and neglect of Georgian-era buildings, from the grand to the domestic. The FGSJ was set up in 1993. Both groups, however, came to understand the importance of historic Jamaican buildings of all eras.

Jamaican Heritage Renewal believes that all aspects of Jamaican history and heritage are important to the Jamaican people and to the wider world.

Jamaican Heritage Renewal has a rich history of offering advice and financial support to conservation and restoration projects in Jamaica. We continue to seek opportunities to stimulate an interest in and an appreciation of the value of Jamaica’s heritage.

Conservation and restoration projects supported by JHR over the years include:

  • The post office and a small dwelling house in Falmouth
  • Headquarters House, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust HQ in Kingston
  • The Trelawny Parish Church at Falmouth
  • Rio Bueno Anglican Church, St Ann
  • The Sam Sharpe Baptist Church, Montego Bay
  • The Iron Bridge near Spanish Town
  • The WARE Collective’s outdoor museum in St Elizabeth
  • The St Elizabeth Parish Church at Black River

 

Who we are  

Jamaican Heritage Renewal is based in the UK but has members around the world.

Our members comprise born and bred Jamaicans, people who have lived and worked on the island and have come to love Jamaica, and those who have developed an interest in Jamaica’s history. Jamaican Heritage Renewal helps members enhance their interest in the island’s history, heritage and culture. We share a desire to protect Jamaica’s heritage for current and future generations.

 

The current directors are:

Peregrine Bryant, Chairman

Alison Dawson, Treasurer

David Cruickshank

Clive Dawson

Rosemary Dodd

Stephen Porter

The following hold honorary positions in the FGSJ:

H.E. Alexander Williams, High Commissioner of Jamaica, Patron

 

Jamaican Heritage Renewal is a charity registered in the UK, no. 1074915. It is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 3447992. The trustees constitute the board of directors. Its registered office is Jamaican Heritage Renewal c/o Peregrine Bryant Architects, The Courtyard, Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, London, SW6 6EA.

All trustees and AC members are volunteers and may not receive payment for any services to JHR. We keep our administrative expenses to a minimum, and seek to ensure that they are covered by subscription revenue. All remaining funds are used to carry out the aims of JHR.