Museums and Historic Sites in the Cayman Islands

The history and culture is one of the most unique and interesting things about the Cayman Islands. If you're a frequent traveller and are interested in learning about the islands' past, there are many great resources available to explore. In addition to housing great museums, such as the Cayman auto museum, the islands are also home to a variety of fascinating historical sites, many of which are legally protected and open to both citizens and tourists. If you'd like to learn more about the cultural history of the Cayman Islands, these are the best museums and historical sites to visit.

National Museum

The Cayman Islands National Museum is located in George Town, the capital of Grand Cayman, on Harbour Drive. Home to a wide variety of cultural and historical artifacts, the National Museum features natural and cultural history exhibits, as well as changing collections. This establishment hosts many great events and seminars, including special workshops for kids, and has an on-site cafe and gift shop.

Watler Cemetery

In earlier years, many Cayman settlers reserved an area of their land to use as a cemetery for their family. The Watler Cemetery historical site once belonged to the Watler family, one of the oldest bloodlines in the islands, and remaining members donated this site to Cayman's National Trust in the early 1990s. Visitors get to experience a cemetery that is straight out of the 1800s, and there are many interesting features, including house-shaped grave markers.

East End Lighthouse Park

Cayman's East End Lighthouse Park is home to the East End Light, which was originally built in 1918. The construction of this lighthouse came about as a result of "The Wreck of the Ten Sails," in which 10 water crafts crashed off of the eastern end of Grand Cayman due to, among other factors, poor visibility. A replacement lighthouse, which stands today, went up in 1937, following the installation of modern lights. The islands' National Trust has transformed East End Lighthouse Park into an interesting historical site.

Old Savannah Schoolhouse

The Old Savannah Schoolhouse was built in the Cayman community of Savannah following a 1932 storm that took down the school building that was located in Spotts. Prior to this, the educational system in the islands was quite casual, with the churches, and then the government, taking gradual interest as time progressed. Opened in 1940, the Old Savannah Schoolhouse was only a single room, and housed children as young as 7 and as old as 14, who would learn in groups based on both age and ability. The Cayman Islands National Trust restored the schoolhouse so that it can be used as an educational historical site.

Cayman Motor Museum

The islands' Motor Museum, which is perfect for individuals interested in the history of the Cayman auto, was opened in 2010. The vision of a powerful businessman with an incredible car collection, this establishment is home to more than 70 rare, unique and old car models, including the original "Batmobile." With reasonably priced admission, visitors will love exploring this museum, which is also home to a gift shop, as well as a wide variety of historical paintings.

If you're a visitor looking to learn more about the Cayman Islands during your trip, there is no shortage of museums and interesting historical attractions to explore. While many are outdoor, activities such as visiting the Cayman Islands National Museum are indoors and perfect for doing on a rainy day, or while the sun is at its peak.