Museum of Belize

The Museum of Belize, dedicated to preserving and promoting Belize’s cultural heritage, has been a cornerstone of the nation’s history since its founding on February 5th, 2002. Housed in the very structure that once served as the country’s main prison, the museum offers a unique and diverse look into Belizean history and culture through a variety of engaging exhibits.

Visitors can explore the last remaining Prison Cell, which has been preserved and filled with artifacts, stories, and images from the prison’s past. Another notable collection is the Craig Family Collection, which provides a fascinating glimpse into daily life through displays of currency, antique bottles, and household relics. For those interested in ancient civilizations, the “MAYA: Creating Civilization” exhibit showcases an impressive array of ancient Maya jades, stone tools, and ceramic pottery.

The museum also celebrates Belize’s rich natural history with the “Birds of Belize” exhibit, featuring the taxidermy of 30 native bird species, and the “Meg Craig Entomology Room,” which highlights the country’s diverse range of butterflies, insects, and arachnids. The artistic heritage of Belize is honored in “The Art of Pen Cayetano” exhibit, which offers a distinctive view of Garifuna culture through a collection of impressionist paintings. Finally, the “Honoring the Past: The enSLAVEd Exhibit” powerfully highlights the resilience and lasting impact of enslaved Africans on Belizean history. The museum invites everyone to enjoy and learn from these significant collections.