Sir Alex birthplace officially reopen

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust has officially reopened the replica house of Sir Alexander Bustamante in Blenheim, Hanover. In a ceremony that also celebrated the hero’s 123rd birthday on February 24, 2007, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture Hon. Aloun Assamba and Leader of the Opposition Bruce Golding cut the single yellow ribbon that decorated the doorway of the building to officially signify the reopening.

Immediately on entering the house, a statue of Sir Alexander Bustamante seems to welcome guests

As the official party and members of the media stepped inside the small house for the first time, they were greeted by a life size statue of Sir Alex which literally seemed to say “Welcome to Blenheim.” The official party eagerly posed and had their photos taken beside the statue executed in clay by Jamaican artist Philip Ambokile Henry. They then viewed other key attractions inside the three room house including the hero’s hat, glasses, shoes, suitcases, wash basin and goblet. Attractive storyboards mounted inside the house tell the story of the hero’s life from birth, his many travels, fight for justice for the working class and his leading of Jamaica into independence.

Guests, including a large contingent of supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), representatives of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), members of civic organizations as well as residents of the area all seemed to agree that “Blenheim has never looked so good.”

Speaking at the opening JNHT executive director Laleta Davis Mattis noted that out of adversity came good. She explained that the JNHT took the opportunity after the 2005 fire to improve on what was at Blenheim before and came up with a site that she hopes all Jamaica will embrace with pride. “What we are presenting to you is a modified replica of the house in which William Alexander Clarke, later known to the world as Bustamante, spent his carefree formative years. In addition to the revised exhibition, we have taken time to landscape the surroundings to give you a space for reflection. We have put in benches to allow you to sit and enjoy this space. Around the grounds you will find quotations of Bustamante, getting an insight into his thoughts, what he stood for and just how far he traveled to make his life a success.”

Explaining that the delay in the rebuilding process was due to the lack of funding, the JNHT executive director expressed thanks to the CHASE Fund which helped to finance the project.

Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture Hon. Aloun Assamba said that the official reopening of the house and an exhibition on the life and work of Sir Alex is both important and timely as it takes place in a time when Jamaicans are awakening to the historical contribution of our founding fathers, and are beginning to realize how best to honour their legacy.

The Minister also noted that the site added another attraction to the Jamaican tourism product at a time when we are looking to expand the product. “With the operation of heritage sites such as Blenheim, we intend to reach not just the visitors to the island to learn more about our heritage, but also our own people – especially the children. Many Jamaicans have no idea that there are treasures such as Blenheim on the island, ” the minister said.

One of several outside signs at Blenheim with quotations of the Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Chairman of the Board of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Professor Verene Shepherd expressed her pleasure that the site is ready and looking so good. Professor Shepherd recalled her chagrin one year ago when the JNHT bore the brunt of public criticism for not rebuilding the site immediately after it was destroyed. She told the gathering that she was pleased with the outcome one year later, and congratulated the staff of the JNHT who worked to have the site ready.

JLP Leader Bruce Golding was also pleased about the transformation of the site and congratulated the JNHT and the CHASE Fund for a job well done. According to Mr. Golding, “Blenheim couldn’t be Blenheim without Bustamante’s house as part of it.”

Other improvements to the site include a garden labelled ‘Mother Clarke’s Kitchen Garden’ after the woman who gave the world Bustamante. There is a sampling of some of the plants grown in the Blenheim region and in other parts of Jamaica, either for their food value, or their medicinal value, including the famous Lucea Yam, referred to by Bustamante.

The JNHT executive director invited those present at the function to “tell your friends and family, local and overseas to come to Blenheim where they will have an enriching experience.”

Among those at the opening were Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture Hon. Wykeham McNeill and Mrs. McNeill; Mr Bruce Golding and Mrs. Golding; Mr. Seragh Lakasingh and Mrs. Lakasingh of the Bustamante Foundation; Hon. Dr. Joyce Robinson, Mr. Pearnel Charles; Mr. Sydney Bartley; Mr. George Ffy; Mr. Horace Chang and His Worship the Mayor Vasca Brown.

Leader of the Opposition Bruce Golding (left) with Vice President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union Pearnel Charles and Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture Hon. Aloun Assamba. The three were in discussions at the function to officially reopen the replica house at Blenheim, the birthplace of Sir Alexander Bustamante