Rehabilitation of the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum
A Climate-Resilient Marine Spatial Plan will guide the protection and sustainable use of the Virgin Islands’ marine environment. It will define key zones for conservation, fisheries, recreation, and development—supporting climate resilience while enabling a balanced blue economy.
Introduction
In the face of climate-induced impacts to beaches, coral reefs and other natural attractions that have been the bedrock of Virgin Islands tourism, diversification of attractions beyond nature sites has been identified as a key adaptation strategy for the sector. In particular, historic and cultural tourism has been identified as a priority for diversification.
The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works is an important historic building from the Plantation Era that was a sugar works and served as a cotton factory and has been transformed into a museum featuring life in The Virgin Islands when it was a subsistence economy and its natural history. Like all museums, the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works was damaged by 2017 category 5 Hurricane Irma and has been closed since, awaiting restoration.
The Impact
This project will include the full restoration of the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, including structural works, mold remediation, ground works, and cleaning and restoration of artifacts. The project will also feature improvements to the visitor experience through exhibition development, enhancement of the art gallery and creation of a café, garden and education room.
This project is “shovel ready” and the reopened Museum is expected to contribute significantly to diversification of the land-based tourism product.
The Problem
Damage to the 1789 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum after the hurricane
The Solution
1789 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum before the hurricane
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