Properly restored and maintained, historic buildings can serve their local communities in different ways: practically, they house post offices, courthouses and churches, as well as private dwellings; economically, they form the basis of heritage tourism which can help struggling towns survive. They also reinforce a community’s pride in its local and national heritage.
The conservation and preservation of Jamaica’s historic records and material culture – its furniture, paintings and other objects from the past – are essential in helping people to understand Jamaica’s fascinating history.
Saving
Many historic buildings disappear every year as a result of extreme weather and unchecked degradation. While there is recognition at government level and from heritage and conservation organisations of the need to preserve and restore Jamaica’s historic buildings, funding is frequently a problem. It is therefore all the more important that we contribute what we can to restoration, both to help preserve historic buildings and to support the organisations on the island which are struggling to carry out this important work.
Historic documents are liable to deteriorate in Jamaica’s extreme climate. Concerns over daily environmental challenges as well as dramatic events such as storms and earthquakes should focus attention on efforts to record and digitise historic materials.
TRAINING
Training young people in the required restoration skills can also provide a route to employment in specialist conservation and preservation work.
