MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Joseph Manley, the middle-aged grandson of national hero Norman Manley, laughed softly as he revealed what he himself described as an “extraordinary” fact.

“This is the first time I have ever been here,” he said, as he took in the breathtaking, panoramic view of sections of south and central Manchester from the back of his grand father’s birthplace at Roxborough.

“I am stunned, it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Manley, who had finally made the trek for the annual July 4 celebration of Norman Manley’s birth.

He confessed that family members “were constantly trying (in vain) to get me to come…”

He claimed his job as an information technology specialist often meant he would visit National Heroes Circle — close to base in Kingston — for the birthday ceremony there, rather than travel all the way to Manchester.

“I always had pressure of work. It (July 4) usually falls on a working day, because of work I would do the function at Heroes Circle and then go to work,” he said.

Having finally gone to Roxborough, Joseph Manley had special praise for the effort to establish a permanent museum in honour of his grandfather, at the iconic site.

“I am literally blown away by what an elegant exhibition it is,” said Manley, “The amount of work that has gone into it, the quality of the work itself, I am almost speechless.”

The exhibition — including photographs and text — is being accommodated in the partially restored house where Norman Manley was born. It seeks to capture varied aspects of the hero’s life as schoolboy sports hero, scholar, soldier in World War One, advocate and political leader. The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) which is funding the restoration of the birthplace and establishment of the museum has spent $11 million over recent months in partnership with a plethora of government agencies and the Manchester Parish Council.

Christopher Miller of the TEF and Tony Freckleton of the South Coast Resort Board reconfirmed to Jamaica Observer Central on July 4 that just over $42 million has been allocated for the overall project which is to be done in phases.

For decades, since the destruction of the original house by fire in 1968, locals and others have been urging the restoration of the site and the establishment of a lasting tribute to Norman Manley’s legacy. Down the years, Mayor of Mandeville Brenda Ramsay who was again among the speakers at the most recent July 4 celebrations has been among those consistently lamenting the failure by the authorities to act.

As envisaged by organisers led by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) which has over-arching responsibility, the grounds of the new museum will be developed over time as a visitor destination inclusive of special bookings for youth camps, weddings, functions etc.

Dr Jonathan Greenland, Director of the Museums Division at the Institute of Jamaica who has played a lead role in setting up the exhibition told Observer Central that marketing of the site would be crucial going forward.

“The most important thing is the marketing component… there must be programmes, regular events, weddings, parties, meetings … we need to create a variety of different things, for schoolchildren, old age pensioners, church groups, weddings, couples romantic trips…”, said Greenland.

The plan, said Greenland is to develop the museum to include not just visual components but sound, with the speeches and favourite music of Norman Manley. “People should be able to come and absorb the story of a remarkable man in a remarkable location. This place in itself is dramatic, beautiful and very stirring,” he said.

For former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, the museum as it currently exists is a “good beginning”. He expects that “in due course, other artefacts will be added that will not only enable people to learn about this great national hero but also inspire them to contribute to the building of Jamaica…”

Norman Manley, explained Patterson, was a “multifaceted person” and any exhibition properly done would have to reflect that fact to the fullest.

He had a word of caution. Proper attention would have to be paid to security, if for example, prized memorabilia and family heirlooms were to be kept at Roxborough.

“He (Manley) was the victim of theft of many of his medals many years ago, and it took great effort to recover them and replace them in some instances. We wouldn’t want that to be repeated,” said Patterson.

“I think what I would want is to emphasise the need for respect for this site. I think the sites of our national heroes, Sir Alexander Bustamante in Blenheim (Hanover), here in Roxborough, other sites which either exist or will be developed for (George William) Gordon, (Paul) Bogle, Sam Sharpe, Nanny, and for Marcus Garvey … will be regarded by everyone as hallowed ground which will be treated with the utmost dignity and respect,” said Patterson.

Culture Minister Lisa Hanna pledged as much as she spoke from the podium during the July 4 function.

“The Jamaica National Heritage Trust will continue to spearhead the other phases of development of this site at Roxborough as well as the other properties. And we are determined that the birthplaces and other sites associated with people who gave so much to our nation, should not lie in ruin or be overcome by neglect, overgrown vegetation and other issues related to bad weather,” said Hanna.

“In the case of Roxborough this place is too powerful and certainly too important to our national memory to be laying in ruin. The walls of Roxborough must enshrine the story of the social, political and economic transformation that Norman Manley brought to this country and certainly has shown to the rest of the world,” she said.