Seville Great House to Re-Open in July

The Seville Great House and Museum in St. Ann will officially re-open on July 12, with a raft of activities unveiled to increase its vibrancy.

Making her contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 18, Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said the facility will again be the venue for this year’s Emancipation Jubilee in celebration of 175 years of full freedom.

The restoration was made possible through the efforts of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), CHASE Fund, and the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation.

The 18th century plantation house has been beautifully restored, with roof, floor and bathrooms overhauled. A new state-of-the-art exhibition has been installed, which features carved stone pieces from the 1500s uncovered in archaeological excavations of an artisan’s workshop on the property in 2002, as well as several other new pieces.

Located along the north coast, approximately four kilometres from St. Ann’s Bay, Seville is regarded as one of Jamaica’s most significant cultural heritage sites.

It includes the archaeological remains of the indigenous Taino village of Maima, the 16th century Spanish settlement of Sevilla la Nueva, and the post-1655 British sugar plantation known as New Seville.

Meanwhile, Ms. Hanna said the home of Right Excellent Norman Manley in Roxborough, Manchester has been restored in time for the celebration of the 120thanniversary of his birth on July 4.  The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) was part of the restoration team.

“In this regard, I must pay respect to the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Manchester Parish Council, Institute of Jamaica, Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP) and my Ministry,” she said.

She said the TEF will, over the next two years, be upgrading sites relevant to all National Heroes.

Contact: Chris Patterson