About JNHT
Enriching our heritage
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES) with a legal mandate to protect and preserve the nation's heritage. The organization legally declares or designates places and objects of historical value as National Monuments or Protected National Heritage.
The organization had its genesis in the Jamaica National Trust Commission which was formed under Law No. 72 of 1958. In 1985 a new law was passed which changed the name of the organization, enlarged its functions and widened its powers of enforcement.
Mission
To inspire a sense of national pride through the promotion, preservation, and development of our material cultural heritage, utilizing a highly motivated and qualified team in conjunction with all our partners.
Vision
To be the primary organization that actively promotes and sustains Jamaica's rich cultural material heritage.
Mandate
To identify, research, record, interpret, regulate, protect and preserve the material cultural heritage resources of the Jamaican people.
What We Do
- Legally protects heritage sites and buildings
- Provides technical advice to owners of heritage sites
- Guides the development of heritage sites and buildings, through its Heritage Development Review Committee (HDRC)
- Conducts archaeological and historical research
- Provides archaeological and heritage impact assessments
- Plans and executes heritage education programs in schools and communities
- Provides information to the public on Jamaica's material cultural heritage
- Conserves archaeological objects
Our History
In the early 1900s, Governor Sir Sidney Olivier tasked Frank Cundall of the Institute of Jamaica with compiling a list of historic sites, buildings, and monuments across the island. This list, published in the Jamaica Gazette in 1909, was intended to encourage preservation and was later included in a report to the British Parliament. Despite this early effort, little preservation followed, and many of the monuments identified no longer exist. Renewed interest came in 1946 when Angus Acworth of England’s Georgian Group visited Jamaica and produced a report that included draft legislation for protecting national buildings. This led to the passing of Law No. 72 of 1958, which established the Jamaica National Trust Commission in 1959, marking a significant step toward structured heritage preservation.
Although the Commission faced chronic funding shortages, it achieved notable successes under the guidance of dedicated preservationists like T.A.K. Concannon. The original lists reflected colonial priorities, but by 1965, revisions incorporated monuments significant to Jamaica’s independent identity. Still, the governing law was inadequate, and repeated requests for amendments went unanswered until 1985, when new legislation renamed the body “The Jamaica National Heritage Trust” and expanded its functions. International recognition of its work came through a UNESCO mission in 1968–69, which praised the Trust’s achievements, particularly its restoration efforts at Port Henderson, highlighting how much had been accomplished despite limited resources.
The JNHT has a staff complement of over 100 employees spread across the island. The organization carries out its functions through seven departments: Archaeology; Heritage Research and Legal Services; Public Education, Public Relations & Communications; Estate Management & Business Development; Human Resource Management & Development; Project Management & Implementation; Corporate Services. There are several satellite stations that have their own administrative offices and function as attraction sites.