The present building was completed in 1894, replacing a wooden structure which also had an archway through which people arriving and leaving the island would pass leading to the building being referred to as ‘The Gateway to Basseterre’.
This building has served several generations of public servants as almost every department of Government has at one time been located in it.
Inappropriate maintenance and a series of hurricanes between 1989 and 1999 left the building in a terrible state of disrepair. In 1999 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and the St. Christopher Heritage Society which would lead to efforts of restoration and its conversion to a National Museum.
The old Treasury Building, now the National Museum, remains one of the largest public buildings in the town of Basseterre.
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In 2002, the National Museum opened its doors for the first time in the east wing of the ground floor of the partially restored building. By 2005, restoration of the building had advanced enough to allow the exhibitions to be expand and move to the first floor occupying the three central rooms leaving the vacant ground floor room for a Gift Shop. By 2006 another room had been sufficiently restored to open a Museum Office. In 2008, there was a rearrangement and expansion of displays and a special exhibition commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Independence was mounted.
The establishment of a National Museum has great significance in the development of a Nation, especially in a newly independent country that is trying to forge an identity and foster national awareness and pride among its citizens. |
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FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR FURTHER RESTORATION.
Fundraising continues for completing the restoration of the building. The galleries on the seaside of the building which were badly corroded had to be dismantled because of the danger they posed to pedestrian and other traffic. Several of the windows and doors need to be rehabilitated and the building repainted. There continue to be leaks in the cupola and roof that need attention.
ENSURE YOUR NAME IS ON THE LIST OF DONOR AND MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THIS IMPORTANT NATIONAL PROJECT
Please make cheques payable to:
 The National Museum
c/o St. Christopher Heritage Society,
P. O. Box 888, Bay Road, Basseterre,
St. Kitts, Eastern Caribbean.
Phone/Fax: 869-465-5584 email: schs@sisterisles.kn
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Our Museum Project seeks to preserve the historic building which houses our National Museum, and showcase our history and highlight our culture.
Although many corporate entities and well meaning individuals have contributed to the work in progress, there remains a significant financial shortfall in the gathering of donations. This appeal therefore, addressed to all citizens and friends of the State, seeks assistance to further this work.
Donations of any magnitude are accepted, will be suitably acknowledged and put solely to the use of the ongoing activity.
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William F. Dore MBE (Chairman),
Larry Armony (Deputy Chairman),
Karl Archibald, Hans Mallalieu, Creighton
Pencheon, Tapley Seaton CVO QC, Cynthia Williams,
Jacqueline Armony.
Interim Museum Director: Grace Challenger-Bird
Museum Attendant: Sheila Morris
A good effort!
Enjoyable and informative.
Very colourful and interesting.
Well presented!
I truly love the knowledge.
Very good – learned much.
Very good for visitors.
Fascinating!
Good overview of island’s history.
What an amazing experience today has been – thank you, I’ve learned a lot!
Excellent display!
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The Story of the St. Kitts Sugar Factory is in large part linked to the story of many a Kittitian family. Opened in 1912, the Factory became the epicenter of life in Basseterre, the whole town operating by its horn that blew at specific times regu.. [ read more] |
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On Wednesday 27 th October 2010, the first Annual General Meeting of the St. Christopher National Trust (SCNT) was held and the Trust’s first Board was put into place. Of the thirteen members Board,.. [ read more] |
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Only very recently did the St. Christopher National Trust learn that the Basseterre Sugar Factory had been sold as scrap! A letter was immediately drafted and sent to the Prime Minister in an attempt to delay this decision which we understand had.. [ read more] |
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On July 15 th , along with the launch of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) Reef Monitoring Project being undertaken by the St. Christopher National Trust, the Youth Arm of the National Trust was announced... [ read more] |
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In late January of this year, the St. Christopher National Trust and the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dutch University of Lieden establishing a relationship between St... [ read more] |
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 HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate to us
Please make cheques payable to:
 The National Museum
c/o St. Christopher National Trust,
P. O. Box 888, Bay Road, Basseterre,
St. Kitts, Eastern Caribbean
Fax: 869-465-5584 Tel: 869-465-5584
email: schs@sisterisles.kn
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