DOWNTOWN Kingston is known as one of the most historically rich areas in Jamaica. As such, TEENage decided to visit a few of the landmarks that have indeed impacted on us as citizens.

First stop on the list was the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Duke Street, where the team learnt from our tour guide, Georgia Rookwood, that the Georgian design was built in 1755 by Thomas Hibbert at the age of 26.

With its wrought-iron railings, brick walls and lattice work, supported by mahogany timber columns, the house was able to withstand years of hurricanes, tropical storms and the developmental changes that occured over the years.

Attaining his wealth through trade and the slave trade, Hibbert entered a house building competition where his design and construction won first place as the finest house in town; and is now the only one that remained from the lot.

With a conventional Georgian style, the house comprises of two replicated floors, a basement, an attic, a courtyard and servants and slave quarters, where limestone coils, mouldings and arched doorways proved its antiquity.

Known by most as the Headquarters of the Army from 1814-1872 and the Parliament House from 1872-1960, this historic site held portraits of those who sat in the cabinet — George William Gordon and others, as well as the first leaders of Jamaica — Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Donald Sangster and Edward Seaga.

The house also holds dearly the first Coat of Arms of Jamaica that shows the Tainos, pineapples, a crocodile and the Royal Helmet of the British — to represent Jamaica and its culture. At that time, the motto was inscribed in Latin and stated ‘Indus Uterque Serviet Uni’, which means ‘Both Indies Will Serve One’.

This was later changed when Jamaica gained independence in 1962 to, ‘Out of many, One people’.

In being able to preserve these artefacts and continue with the upkeep of the house, a conservation room was put in place, where wax was boiled and used to place over metals to stop rusting, as well as electrolysis that aided in the breakdown of corrosion.

Continuing on our journey through the historical town, the team was also given the opportunity to visit the Institute of Jamaica, founded in 1879 and rebuilt in 1911, where we took a journey back in time to the musical and cultural aspect of the country; where Ska, Rocksteady, deejay, Reggae and Dancehall were all spoken of.

The curator also informed the team of the contemporary and antique artefacts that were collected and donated to the institute over the years. Also enclosed in the institute is very important part of Jamaica’s academic history — the first University of the West Indies. The room, furnished now, holds the original books and encyclopaedias that were used when the university began in 1953.

Parallel to that room was an outside area that we were told held the first Jamaican zoo — the same zoo that we now know as Hope Zoo. At this time it was very small and only managed to hold a few animals.

This, therefore, enlightened us on the different cultural and traditional aspects of African nations. Jamaica has a strong cultrual background, and we should all unite as a nation and personify our motto, ‘Out of many, One people’.