The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda was founded in 1985 and resides in the former St. John’s Courthouse, built in 1750.  The Historical and Archaeological Society of Antigua and Barbuda manages and oversees the operations of the museum.  The museum displays exhibits relating to the history and culture of Antigua and Barbuda including the geological formation of the islands, the Amerindian peoples and cultures who inhabited the island prior to European settlement, and recent Antiguan cultural practices. 

The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is also home to an extensive research library.  Library collections largely focus on the Antiguan historical period and historical and archaeological materials.  The archaeological collections of the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda consist of tens of thousands of artifacts from Antigua’s historical and archaeological sites, as well as comparative collections from throughout the Caribbean region.  Museum staff preserve Antiguan culture and history through the conservation of archaeological and archival materials and the continued documentation of historical and cultural events in Antigua and Barbuda.
 

Visiting the Museum