institute of jamaica

Once you get to Institute of Jamaica you can see some interesting exhibitions. There was a reggae music exhibition, which was small but interesting, but the most interesting exhibition was the newly opened rastafarai exhibition.If you have a spare two hour when visiting Kingston city centre, it's definately worth a shot.

Whether it is their end of month Lunch Hour Concert, a visit to one of their permanent or current exhibitions (Jamaican Music, Natural History, Ethnography, Arawak, Rastafari), a special Sunday afternoon activity, or their recently instituted Saturday Openings, happenings hosted by the Institute of Jamaica have always been culturally enriching and historically edifying.My most recent event was a symposium on the late Richard Hart, Jamaican historian and politician. Contributions by Professor Rupert Lewis and Mr Hart's life-long family friend, Ann Hodges gave much insight into this giant of a man and into the life and works of this major contributor to the social and political landscape of Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and indeed the diaspora of our island nations.Events are well organised, topical and certainly worth the trip to downtown Kingston. I look forward to their emailed invitations, and strongly recommend that persons interested in Jamaican life, both past and present, get on their mailing list and make a point to attend events hosted at the Institute of Jamaica. Subscription to their Jamaica Journal publications is also recommended.It should be noted that the National Gallery of Jamaica and the Marcus Garvey museum, Liberty Hall, are also divisions of the Institute, and they too have a mailing list that you would want to be on.

I've gotten the opportunity to be apart of the staff of IOJ for the pass couple of weeks and it has been interesting,educating, and unforgettable:-)

I visited the Institute of Jamaica back as a child on a school excursion and i've been back again and marvel at the same snake that I saw some 30 plus years ago is still there on exhibit. No trip to Jamaica should be without a visit to IOJ. You need to take a walk through Jamaica's history in contemporary time. That is the attraction that IOJ offers and is a must see for all.

There was very little to see when I was there.The African collection was closed and also the natural history. There was only a small exhibition about the Taino's and the Music part.It's Downtown so take a guide/local.Once it is all open it should be worth a visit but call in advance and make sure the work is finished. It didn't look as if it would be this year.I would go again

It is still a statis museum - old style, but it tells the History of Jamaica - including importantly for me the Natural History - very well....go enjoy it!

I great place but best to call and book a guide and see what displays they have on. Liberty Hall also falls under them...and that is the best place to visit.....a multi media facility and brilliantly done!

May seem a little run down and not in an area that many tourists visit, but bear with it and find some excellent exhibitions