Montego Bay Cultural Centre image

Montego Bay Cultural Centre

Cultural center

Dynamic cultural destination housing the National Museum West & National Gallery West. People often mention history, great, Jamaica, Montego, time, Jamaican, visit, learn, exhibit, informative,


Address

Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Website

montegobayculturalcentre.org

Contact

+1 876-616-9099

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (124 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 4 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: history (27) great (14) Jamaica (12) Montego (11) time (11) Jamaican (10) visit (10) learn (10) exhibit (9) informative (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Rick Garrison (. 4 months ago on Google • 184 reviews
    Montego Bay Cultural Centre is located downtown bustling Montego Bay overlooking Sam Sharpe Square which is quite relevant. There is a small admission fee, this former courthouse and former council offices now house Jamaican past, it is a museum to Jamaicas past and depicts Jamaica origins and Jamaican fight and discovery by Christopher Columbus though to Slavery and the horrific way slaves were treated and many died, it charts the abolition of slavery, Sam Sharpe was prevalent in this, it charts the afterlife and struggles to what is now independent and tourist attraction and destination Jamaica, there is lots of art and artistic items of great interest and value. In a separate section is the Rastafarianism, it’s origin from Ethiopia, it’s rise in Jamaica, the lifestyle, its path in music, it’s leader Haile Selassie and it’s growth around the world and the persecution of Rastas, it was definitely an eye opening experience. If in Montego Bay this is definitely a place to visit and immerse yourself in Jamaican history which is interesting and the aspects of Jamaican life and culture.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Syeda A. 2 years ago on Google • 14 reviews
    I went inside the cultural center for many purposes, the most important being seeking relief from afternoon heat..lol.. The purchase items in the gift shop were reasonably priced. There were some galleries under renovation but for the admission price and wealth of information, I was happy with my visit. I learned about Rastafarian culture and religion here, something that I was very curious about while on my travels in Jamaica. The history exhibits were interesting as well, I didn't know much about enslaved history in the Carribean. Outside the cultural center there is a square, great for people watching and juicy jamaican patty purchases.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Severin K. 1 year ago on Google • 404 reviews
    Very friendly staff. I had a cool conversation with them, which is always appreciated. So you get more insights and as a solo traveler you especially enjoy every conversation :) The story that the museum tell, is horrific and very inspiring at the same time. There are a lot of interesting objects and texts. You can also visit the arts exhibition with the admission fee (1400 JAD) which is cool.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Beryl C. 5 years ago on Google
    Thoroughly enjoyed myself very informative. Brilliant rasterfrian exhibition as well as the other exhibitions there. This needs to be publicised much more. I have been coming to Jamaica for years and didn't know about it. I will definitely visit again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 DAN L. 6 years ago on Google
    It's worth the $8 just to get out of the heat and into the A/C. Also the drug pushers don't operate in here so it's a good place to walk around and learn some history on your own time.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Liseli P. 5 years ago on Google • 598 reviews
    This place was such a little nugget of gold!! There was a photo exhibit on the top floor. Our guide was one of the artists so her descriptions of the works, both her own and the other artists, were very informative and insightful. Her answers to questions were reflective and well thought out. There were 2 additional exhibition rooms downstairs- one of them had a historical exhibit focused on Montego Bay but included Jamaica in general. It started from the beginning with the indigenous people of the island through colonization and slavery to emancipation and independence. We had a guide who talked us through the exhibit which was good for us as we had kids with us so it brought the pictures and artifacts to life. But if you have time, dont bother with the guided tour and just read it yourself. In the other room was a rastafari exhibit which was so fantastic. It also took you from the beginnings through to modern day. The exhibit tied in the history of the island with the rastafari movement and way of life. Again if you have time and are not with young kids, don't bother with the guided tour. We spent quite a bit of time there and would have stayed longer had we not been on our way to the airport.

  • 5/5 Lynzee L. 6 months ago on Google • 137 reviews
    Really informative!! I spent about an hour and a half here and learned so much about Jamaican and Rastafarian history. Absolutely worth the time and very reasonably priced.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Vanessa W. 1 year ago on Google • 83 reviews
    Nice Museum located in the middle of Montego Bay town. Has a lot of information on Jamaican history and the arts. The arts area is separate form the historic area which I think is good. I think the Art area could have more information and history but the historical area was great with informatuon and it had a great collection of historical artifax etc...gift shop has nice stuff but I don't think they showcase it well. Prices are average and they do a local rate which is great. Overall definitely somewhere to visit if on the area.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tish's Nutritious L. 5 years ago on Google • 32 reviews
    A great place to visit, both for local and international people to view and get understanding of our history. A lot happened in the city of Mobay to a group of people here, and I think this gallery holds goodness and has a greater potential to rise the city up through education and participation. The layout of artifacts and written descriptions are very helpful. We get to see some of the tools and devices used on or by us as a people during the slavery. Uplifting stories as well. There's a section dedicated to rasrafari. A monument with names of fighters And an art gallery with works by many popular Jamaicans and more. Theres a charge to go in at the moment. $500. Ja. Yea, enjoy.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gregory B. 6 years ago on Google
    A great place to learn a little about Montego Bay. 2
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alicja K. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice place with very friendly and knowledgeable guides. Worth $8 you’re paying to get there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Feleica G. 5 years ago on Google
    love this place
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nic o. 5 years ago on Google
    This is a must visit for anyone interested in the African Diaspora. My family visited during the US holiday if Thanksgiving. I was humbled by the knowledge I gained and by the thousands of ancestors who lost their lives in the name of freedom!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Fabian T. 6 years ago on Google
    Needs some flair and panache!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Geneicha W. 4 years ago on Google
    Great lift to the center on the town...great history...nice upstairs area for plays.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Britani S. 5 years ago on Google
    Didnt stay as long as wanted but it was fulfilling just with wht and how much i could learn or just be notified of. Satisfying to the eyes and great stuff to buy as souvenirs or whtever. Proper sanitation and restroom facilities too
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rochelle K. 5 years ago on Google • 273 reviews
    A lovely place for anyone interested in Jamaican history and art, smack in the middle of the Sam Sharpe Square town centre. The Cultural Centre is home to National Gallery West, a smaller branch of the National Gallery in Kingston which often exchange collections to share art between both cities. There's also the National Museum with a chronological walk through history from the Tainos to post-colonial Jamaica, and on the day I visited there were the temporary exhibits of Due West highlighting Western artists, and a Rastafari Tribute. Cost $500jmd for adults, $250 for senior citizens, $100, $150 and $200 for primary, secondary and tertiary students for access to the whole building.

  • 5/5 Irina D. 1 year ago on Google • 216 reviews
    Very informative museum about Jamaica's history. It has a history exhibit, a Rasta exhibit, and a small art gallery. AC is a nice perk.

  • 5/5 Jewels G. 3 months ago on Google • 55 reviews New
    This was a great place to experience Jamaica history and culture.

  • 4/5 Maurice S. 1 year ago on Google
    Fabulous! Though relatively small, I ran out of time to see all 4 areas of interest. The Rastafari history room took up most of my time due to the depth of info and my misjudging the time needed to read through it all. It was closing (4p) by the time I was ready to enter the Montego Bay history room. You should prob allow yourself 2 to 2.5h for both rooms + the gallery and monument outside, unless you are a casual who simply looks at things without reading.

  • 5/5 Shanice W. 1 year ago on Google
    Good place to learn about Jamaica's history.

  • 5/5 Audrey D. 1 year ago on Google
    Far more informative than the Museum in Liverpool UK. This one is more balanced, more artifacts to bring history alive

  • 5/5 Topher K. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a diamond in the rough. We came from a Carnival cruise, looking for something beyond Margaritaville and shopping. We took a ten-minute walk from the Hop and Stop bus stop at the craft market near Fort Montego. Once at the MBCC, we bought our tickets (the $2 student tickets are a great value--but have cash!) and went to the Rastafari exhibit and learned about the origins and growth of Rastafarianism. From there we went across to the history section, where we learned about pre-Columbian Jamaica, the horrors of slavery, and the growth of agriculture and industry. Then we went upstairs to the art gallery (the National Gallery West), where they had an exhibit of Albert Artwell's work, showcasing his use of biblical themes to depict Jamaican life. Finally, we went outside to the Freedom Monument, commemorating the 1832 Rebellion. Overall, it was a great way to spend our afternoon. Some Americans might not be comfortable with the atmosphere around the MBCC, but everyone we encountered was very welcoming (even if they were mostly interested in making a sale!).

  • 5/5 Paul T. 5 years ago on Google
    It's nice, has historical facts and ornaments.

  • 4/5 Kevin J. 5 years ago on Google
    Clean and air conditioned, bathrooms were also very clean

  • 5/5 Mashad A. 1 year ago on Google
    I enjoyed my visit - the staff were very nice and accommodating to ensure I got a chance to see all the exhibitions.

  • 5/5 Rory H. 1 year ago on Google
    Superb museum taking you through the complete history of West Jamaica. Also has a great rastafari exhibition and art gallery in a historic building, super helpful staff. They even walked us out to show us the route taxi pickup spots for us to move onto Falmouth the next day.

  • 5/5 Kevin W. 4 years ago on Google
    I love this place because of its richness in historical artifacts and articles.

  • 5/5 Carolyn G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit to learn about Jamaican and local history.

  • 5/5 George C. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a wonderful place to see and learn about the Culture and history of the city

  • 5/5 Oshanna W. 5 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place to go when it comes to Culture and Arts , In a exciting way to educated us on the history of our past......right in the heart of montogo bay.

  • 5/5 Nadiya A. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place with a lot of history. Unfortunately, it is not very well promoted and often not on the list of things to do in Montego Bay. This is a former courts house transformed into museum and art gallery with a modest entry of 7 USD for tourists and 500 jmd for locals. There are typically three main halls: 1. History of Jamaica permanent exhibition, where visitors can learn about development of the island from the begging to now. Lots of interesting artifacts and pictures. 2. History of Rastafarianism. Very detailed exhibition and small movie about Rastafarianism in Jamaica and the world. 3 Art Gallery. Collections keep on changing.

  • 4/5 Lamur G. 2 years ago on Google
    A great local visit, very informative learn about jamaican history, rastafari and much more. Book with the best local tour guides, thanks Uber Montego bay.

  • 5/5 Erica A. 4 years ago on Google
    I can learn so much about our Jamaican culture.

  • 4/5 Omar A. 6 years ago on Google
    Good cultural place and location for hosting events

  • 4/5 Selette L. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful hall. Fair acoustics. Lovely paintings depicting our culture

  • 4/5 Patrice S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great hall.

  • 5/5 Scott F. 4 years ago on Google
    Cool little museum in a historic building in downtown Montego Bay. Definitely worth checking out to learn more about the local history while on vacation

  • 4/5 Dwayne S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place for learning and experiencing culture

  • 3/5 Denise B. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informative

  • 3/5 Joan T. 5 years ago on Google
    Its fine learnt much

  • 5/5 Abraham L. 4 years ago on Google
    Heritage at its best

  • 5/5 Gail W. 5 years ago on Google
    It was a very educational. I would definitely go back.

  • 4/5 Onika C. 4 years ago on Google
    The place was clean and pleasant but the parking was a problem

  • 5/5 Itz Resha My W. 5 years ago on Google
    Cultural and informative ...... they even have ancient things and a gallery too

  • 5/5 RawMan R. 4 years ago on Google
    Great time and Place with my Wonderful Wifey!


Call +1 876-616-9099 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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