Nevis boasts a variety of cultural endeavors, primarily centered around museums, historical points of interest, as well as music and festivals, the largest of which is the annual Culturama (formerly known as Carnival), an annual cultural festival of Nevis, which is celebrated during the Emancipation Day weekend, the first week of August.  The festivities include many traditional folk dances, such as the masquerade, the Mocko-Jumbies on stilts, Cowboys and Indians, and Plait the Ribbon (a May pole dance). The celebration was given a more organized form in 1974, and now includes a Miss Culture Show and a Calypso Competition, drama performances, arts and crafts exhibitions and recipe competitions.  According to the Nevis Department of Culture, the aim is to protect and encourage indigenous folklore, in order to make sure that the uniquely Caribbean culture can "reassert itself and flourish".

Visit the Cafe Des Arts in Charlestown, Nevis, to see the works of a number of caribbean artists. Among the many items you'll find at this delightful bistro/art gallery are paintings, linens, local crafts, and gourmet delicacies.  Located adjacent to the Museum of Nevis History (and a short walk from the docks), the Cafe Des Arts is an ideal and charming place for lunch or just coffee as you peruse the artwork in the gallery, or enjoy the weather in their colorful courtyard.

Museum of Nevis History
The Museum of Nevis History, run by the Nevis Historical & Conservation Society, is housed in a Caribbean Georgian building that was built on the foundation of the structure where Alexander Hamilton was born in 1757.  He lived on the island until the age of nine, and then moved to St. Croix with his mother.  Later in his life he helped draft the U.S. Constitution, was the first secretary of the Treasury, and an outspoken advocate of the emancipation of slavery.  The building today, known as Hamilton House, houses one of the island's two museums on the first floor.  The second floor is the meeting room for the Nevis House of Assembly.  The lovely stone building was built around 1680, but was destroyed in an earthquake in 1840, and then restored in 1983.  The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to noon (hours subject to change - please check with the museum before visiting).   The cost of admission is US$5.00 for non-nationals.

Horatio Nelson Museum
As its names implies, this museum displays artifacts and memorabilia of the life and times of British Naval Admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, who visited Nevis in the late 18th century, and who is best known for his valiant command of the British fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar. He had been based in nearby Antigua with the duty of enforcing the Navigation Acts following the Treaty of Versailles.  Nelson's love affair with Nevis was largely due to Fanny Nisbet, a widow he met at a dinner party on Nevis. The two fell instantly in love, and their nuptials are without a doubt the most famous wedding on Nevis to date.  The museum displays antique furniture, utensils, photos of Nevis, and other mementos of the island at the time of Nelson.  It has what is said to be the largest collection of Nelson relics in the Western Hemisphere, called "Nevis in the time of Nelson."  The late Robert Abrahams, a Philadelphia lawyer who had a home in Nevis, compiled the collection during his life and first displayed at his Nevis home.  It includes miniatures of Nelson's fleet, photos of Nevis, his wedding, and other information relative to Nelson's life.  Mr. Abrahams donated the artifacts to the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, which he believed was most capable of caring for the collection. The Society began construction of the Horatio Nelson Museum to house the collection in 1990, and opened the new museum on March 11, 1992, the wedding anniversary of Lord Nelson and Fanny Nisbet. The historical society hosts an anniversary tea each year in their honour.   For information, call 869-469-0408.

Eden Brown Estate
Located in the countryside, about 30 minutes from Charlestown, the Eden Brown Estate was originally a sugar plantation, but cotton was grown there until the mid-1900's. But the circa 1740 plantation, with a great house and other outbuildings has a history unlike many of the other plantations, and some believe it is haunted. A duel took place at the house in 1822, the night before the wedding of Julia Huggins, between her betrothed and the best man, who was her brother. A recent discovery of an old letter has shown that the bridegroom survived, and he went to propose to another woman. However, her father forbade her from marrying a "murderer." As the story goes, Julia spent the rest of her days as a recluse in the house, and can still be heard today as she wanders through the ruins.

Hamilton Estate
Just outside of Charlestown are the ruins of the Hamilton Estate, which was a sugar plantation until the 1950's owned by the Hamilton family.  After sugar operation ceased, it became a diversified agricultural farm where a wide variety of products, from cotton to vegetables, were grown.  Many enjoy visiting the ruins today, and the wonderful views of Charlestown and St. Kitts from the hillside where it is located. The ruins include foundations of a Great House, Windmill, Cistern, and chimney, boiling house and steam engine.

The Botanical Gardens of Nevis
The Botanical Gardens were created on Nevis several years ago by Philadelphia couple Joseph and Martha Murphy, who wanted to create something beautiful on the island and to preserve flora from throughout the world. They chose a lovely spot in Montpelier Estate area, with views of Nevis Peak in the distance.  The gardens, filled with sculpture, fountains, and a replica of a Great House, has many garden areas to visit: roses and vines, cactuses, fruit trees, orchids. The most outstanding part is the tropical rain forest conservatory, built to emulate the conservatory at Kew Gardens in England.  It houses tropical plants and huge Mayan-type sculptures.  Many couples choose to be married in the gardens, and several locations are favorites.  If you are interested in getting married on Nevis be sure to read our page "Getting Married on Nevis".  In the Great House is a wonderful gift shop, selling items related to plants and nature, and Martha's Tea House for afternoon luncheon and tea (named after the owner's wife).   There are occasionally lectures and classes given at the gardens.  Memberships are available as well as single-day admissions.  For information, call 869-469-3509.

Cotton Ginnery
The old stone cotton ginnery in Charlestown located near the ferry boat pier has taken on a new life. Recently restored for shops and a restaurant, the cotton ginnery is again bustling with activity as it did in the days when growing cotton was a key island industry.  This was where cotton was ginned and packed into bales before shipment to England.  The complex now includes a bookstore, local craftstore, clothing shops, a beauty salon, other gift shops and a restaurant.  At certain times of year, community art and craft exhibits are held in the ginnery.  For information, call the Cotton Ginnery office at 869-469-5521.

Nevisian Heritage Village
The Nevisian Heritage Village administered by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, largely depicts the evolution of Nevisian social history through housing. The houses, dating from the Carib Indian era, are replicas and are furnished with antiques and relics of their relevant periods. The display includes the blacksmith's shop, rum shop, and the shoe-maker's shop, along with the dwelling houses. To complete this traditional village setting are "backyard" gardens, beautiful flower gardens and various species of indigenous plants and shrubs some adorning the typical "estate yard" ruins. And, there's even an area for animal rearing.

Additional Resources

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