• Category

  • Content Type

Advertisement

Paul Bogle’s Statue Being Restored

August 26, 2009

The Full Story

Approximately $1 million is being spent by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) to restore the statue of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Paul Bogle, which is located in front of the Morant Bay Courthouse in St. Thomas.
Restoration of the statue is expected to be completed by October this year. It was recently removed from its base by the JNHT. Work will be carried out by noted Sculptor, Mr. Fitz Harrack, who will be restoring the statue to its original condition.
Executive Director of the JNHT, Mrs. Laleta Davis-Mattis, told JIS News that on completion, an unveiling ceremony would be held. There are also plans to work with the community to get its continued support to protect and preserve the nation’s historical sites.
Mrs. Mattis said a sign would be erected in front of the Courthouse in Morant Bay to inform residents and visitors of the restoration work to be undertaken.
In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Harrack said that the work should be completed by Heritage Week in October . Work will include the replacement of the corroded steel with brass at the base of the statue. He noted that the salt air from the sea had contributed to the deterioration of the steel.
According to Mr. Harrack, the fire that destroyed the Morant Bay Courthouse on February 19, 2007, had also affected the statue.
The statue was designed by the late sculptor, the Hon. Edna Manley, wife of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Norman Manley. It was erected in October 1965 and declared a national monument by the JNHT on April 3, 2003.

Last Updated: August 21, 2013

Skip to content