FALMOUTH HERITAGE RENEWAL
Preserving Jamaica's past for the future.
MISSION
The Mission of Falmouth Heritage Renewal is to accurately restore the historic built environment of the Falmouth Historic District while simultaneously preserving Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage. As a result, residents of the historic district receive improved housing, and the citizens of Trelawny Parish gain skilled training for their youth and opportunities for increased economic vitality. The mission promotes an appreciation of Falmouth’s significant history, sound environmental practices, and heritage tourism to create a vibrant regional economy.
HISTORY OF FALMOUTH HERITAGE RENEWAL
Founder Christopher F. Ohrstrom had a goal of preserving Falmouth’s historic district and making a positive impact on the entire region. Focusing on Falmouth’s significant history as a thriving colonial port and its Georgian architecture, the largest intact collection in the Caribbean, Mr. Ohrstrom saw an opportunity to restore a community and the potential for economic vitality based on heritage tourism.
Founded in 2001, a Board of Directors was created, and Falmouth Heritage Renewal was established as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity in the United States and a registered not-for-profit organization in Jamaica.
The Baptist Manse restoration, already underway by the Falmouth Restoration Company, was completed Spring 2001, and the two story cut limestone structure located at 9 Market Street became Falmouth Heritage Renewal’s official location. The restoration company was shortly thereafter absorbed into the new organization.
Once the goal of preservation was set into motion in Falmouth, the training component of the mission was established because the area lacked craftsmen skilled in building conservation; thus, the Youth Training Program began. The 2001 Annual Report states, “We have trained four young persons, two as painters and two in the art of historic plastering.”
Soon the good work of the talented and energetic youth, and board member contacts led to opportunities for advanced training, which initiated the creation of the Mentoring Program in 2002, and opened doors for the University Field School Program, which began in 2006.
Through careful and accurate work, and the involvement of many experts who serve on the board and others who volunteer their time, Falmouth Heritage Renewal quickly gained a solid reputation in the field of historic preservation, and Jamaican and international partners joined the conservation efforts in the historic community.
Listings on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of 100 Endangered Sites in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2008, and a visit from Prince Charles of Wales in March 2008, catapulted Falmouth Heritage Renewal to international awareness, and it became widely known as a model in historic preservation. The quality work exhibited in FHR’s projects and the success of its programs has led to its new label, the “Falmouth Model.”
In July 2011, Ivor C. Conolley, Ph.D. became the new director of Falmouth Heritage Renewal to expand the organization’s vital educational aspect. Today, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines terminal, which opened in Falmouth in January 2011, brings an estimated one million visitors annually. While the conservation of historic structures continues and the training programs carry on, FHR has plans for a new museum, so that all who visit will have an opportunity to learn about Falmouth’s important history and Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.
FALMOUTH HISTORIC DISTRICT
The Falmouth Historic District, located in the seaside town of Falmouth, Trelawny Parish, Cornwall County, is on the north shore of Jamaica, latitude 18.493422 N and longitude 77.653020 W. Recognized as an outstanding and unique example of Jamaica’s rich architectural and archeological heritage dating to the late 1700s, this historic section of Falmouth was declared a Protected National Heritage Site under the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Act of 1985. In 1996, the site, known as the Falmouth Historic District, was declared a National Monument by the Jamaican Government. The Falmouth Historic District is protected and administered by the Trelawny Parish Council and the Heritage Development Review Committee, an advisory body created by the Trustees of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.
The Falmouth Historic District contains the largest intact collection of British Colonial architecture in the Caribbean. The structures, which followed English design books, were built by enslaved craftsmen who adapted the plans to suit the tropical climate. Founded in 1769 and laid out on a Georgian grid plan, Falmouth replaced the inland port of Martha Brae and soon became the wealthiest port in the Caribbean, exporting sugar and rum and importing slaves from Africa. By 1794, the thriving colonial port boasted 220 houses. In 1830, according to Reverend William Knibb, Falmouth was a pleasant and fashionable town with 2,000 to 3,000 inhabitants. Within a decade, steamships arriving in Jamaica bypassed Falmouth because the Falmouth Harbour was too shallow to dock. Attempts to deepen the harbor failed, and Falmouth began to decline, never to regain its former glory. More than a century of decay and the harsh climate, including a direct hit from Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, took a toll on the coastal town, and eventually the impoverished community fell into serious disrepair. In 2001, Falmouth Heritage Renewal began its preservation efforts with the goal of restoring the built environment and saving the Falmouth Historic District.
PROJECTS
Falmouth Heritage Renewal has gained an international reputation for accurately restoring the Falmouth Historic District, the largest intact collection of Georgian buildings in the Caribbean. A commitment to sustainability and to time honored techniques and materials sets FHR apart in building conservation. Learn more about our work By Project and enjoy related articles and links under Architecture and Building Crafts below.
PROGRAMS
Falmouth Heritage Renewal has established several educational programs to enhance its preservation efforts and to share the hands-on living lab setting with others around the world. Coming soon, a new museum will allow visitors to learn more about Falmouth’s significant history and cultural heritage. Learn more about our programs by clicking the headings below.
Youth Training Program
Once FHR’s goal of preservation was set into motion, the Youth Training Program became necessary because the area lacked craftsmen skilled in building conservation.
Staff Training Program
Within a year of FHR’s organization, the good work of the talented and energetic youth, and board member contacts led to opportunities for advanced training, and the Staff Training Program began.
Apprenticeship Programs
FHR’s talented staff trainers have had many opportunities for advanced training through Apprenticeship Programs in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Internship Programs
FHR participates in Internship Programs where university students study in Falmouth researching topics ranging from historic preservation to heritage tourism. FHR staff have also participated in internships abroad.
Field Schools
Each summer, university students experience the hands-on living laboratory setting of the Falmouth Historic District by participating in Field Schools with FHR.
Community Programs
FHR offers seminars and workshops, often in partnership with other historic preservation organizations, that focus on various topics including the history and architecture of Falmouth’s buildings, preservation planning and conservation practices, and specific skill areas such as metalwork, masonry, and carpentry.
Museum
This year, FHR’s vision of preservation has expanded to include a museum, which will give visitors an opportunity to learn about Falmouth’s significant history and its contributions to the world.
PROJECTS
Falmouth Heritage Renewal has gained an international reputation for accurately restoring the Falmouth Historic District, the largest intact collection of Georgian buildings in the Caribbean. A commitment to sustainability and to time honored techniques and materials sets FHR apart in building conservation. Learn more about our work By Project and enjoy related articles and links under Architecture and Building Crafts below.
PROGRAMS
Falmouth Heritage Renewal has established several educational programs to enhance its preservation efforts and to share the hands-on living lab setting with others around the world. Coming soon, a new museum will allow visitors to learn more about Falmouth’s significant history and cultural heritage. Learn more about our programs by clicking the headings below.
Youth Training Program
Once FHR’s goal of preservation was set into motion, the Youth Training Program became necessary because the area lacked craftsmen skilled in building conservation.
Staff Training Program
Within a year of FHR’s organization, the good work of the talented and energetic youth, and board member contacts led to opportunities for advanced training, and the Staff Training Program began.
Apprenticeship Programs
FHR’s talented staff trainers have had many opportunities for advanced training through Apprenticeship Programs in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Internship Programs
FHR participates in Internship Programs where university students study in Falmouth researching topics ranging from historic preservation to heritage tourism. FHR staff have also participated in internships abroad.
Field Schools
Each summer, university students experience the hands-on living laboratory setting of the Falmouth Historic District by participating in Field Schools with FHR.
Community Programs
FHR offers seminars and workshops, often in partnership with other historic preservation organizations, that focus on various topics including the history and architecture of Falmouth’s buildings, preservation planning and conservation practices, and specific skill areas such as metalwork, masonry, and carpentry.
Museum
This year, FHR’s vision of preservation has expanded to include a museum, which will give visitors an opportunity to learn about Falmouth’s significant history and its contributions to the world.
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