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On Location: The Barbados Museum and Historical Society
The Barbados Museum and Historical Society (BMHS) is one of the leading institutions which have helped to shape and promote Barbados’ rich cultural landscape. Steeped in history, the museum with its seven galleries and a collection of over 250,000 objects - is housed in ornate historic buildings that were originally used as the military prison at St. Ann’s Garrison and which today form part of the Garrison Historic Area. The Act of Incorporation of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society was passed by the Barbados Legislature on May 31, 1933 after a petition by a group of advocates who had seen the need to record the history of the island. The BMHS is a non-pro?t, non-governmental organization with a membership of over one thousand individuals and companies. A fourteen member Council and the Director are responsible for its policies and operation. The daily operations are managed by a Director, Dr. Alissandra Cummins, and by the head of each of its six departments: curatorial, development, education, ?nance, library and marketing. The Museum attracts approximately 15,000 visitors annually. Cultural tourists and special interest tourists comprise the bulk of visitors to the museum as shown in Figure 1 below. Going forward there are some key issues to be addressed. At the microstrategic level, the BHMS’ main source of income is a government subvention, which has been declining over the years. This has prompted the BMHS to seek to diversify its sources of income as exempli?ed by the Museum’s newly improved gift shop. With regard to the macrostrategy, the BHMS not only has a strong collection that tells the history of Barbados and the Caribbean, but it also publishes one of the longest running academic journals in the Caribbean.
Museum Bookstore
Turning ?nally to the brand strategy, the BHMS’ business model is driven largely by its curatorial function. However, given its location in the Garrison Historic Area, its outstanding collection and beautiful facilities there is much scope for an expanded brand identity. Information and photos for this article were kindly provided by Mrs. Christine Franklyn, Marketing Of?cer at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society. Information was also taken from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (2008) study
BHMS 75th Anniversary Journal Cover Figure 1: Tourists by Type 2004-2006
The BMHS has, for the last two decades, played an important role in advocating the need for legislation to protect and preserve Barbados’ cultural heritage, including providing advice to the Government on the development of the Antiquities and Relics Bill to aid in the protection Barbados’ cultural heritage. The BMHS contributed a signi?cant portion of the images and research that formed the dossier that was submitted as part of the nomination process for World Heritage status for Bridgetown and its Garrison. The BMHS is also well represented on the Barbados World Heritage Committee.
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Contact: Address: St. Ann’s Garrison, St. Mi chael, Barbados BB14038 Telephone: 1-246-427-0201/ 1-246-436-1956 " Fax: 1-246-436-1956 Email: [email protected]" " Website: www.barbmuse.org.bb
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Volume 1 September - November 2010