Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum
Located just a stone’s throw away from legendary cricket venue, Kensington Oval, Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum is located at Herbert’s House in Fontabelle, St. Michael.
With a mission to ’efficiently market world-class products and services which reflect the rich legacy of West Indies cricket’ they certainly do just that while honoring the 43 Barbadian cricketers who have all shaped and changed the legacy of West Indies Cricket. Notable names among these cricketers are Sir Garfield Sobers, the 3Ws (Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott), Desmond Haynes, Seymour Nurse, Joel Garner, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.
This museum is a fantastic venue to visit for all cricket enthusiasts. You can see interesting cricket mementos such as the ball bowled by Wes Hall in the first-ever hat-trick by a West Indian, a bat autographed by the first West Indies team to tour England after the Region gained test status in 1928 and a blazer worn by England player, Trevor Bailey, in the West indies tour of 1953⁄1954.
The Museum is divided into four galleries and rooms:
The Portrait Gallery- This is the first room you enter in the museum, and it is here that you portraits of all the cricket legends of Barbados, along with a brief bio and their playing stats.
The Heritage Room- This fascinating room can transport you back into time with its exhibits, some of them dating as far back as 1895. You can also see their valuable memorabilia collection, including autographed bats, scorecards, souvenir magazines, photos and press clippings. You will also learn here the early masters of Barbados cricket including Horace Deighton and George Burton who introduced the game into the school curriculum.
Icons Room- Here you will see highlighted nine players specially selected by Legends as icons because of their indelible contribution to cricket not only in the Caribbean, but world-wide. These Barbadian icons are Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott (deceased), Rev. Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse, Charlie Griffith, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Joel Garner. This room has interesting features, including displays and memorabilia about these icons.
As an added bonus, you will also learn more about three cricket entertainment icons: The late King Dyall– known for his colourful personality and attire, and his support of the England team despite being Barbadian; Gravy– the comedic figure from Antigua who entertained the crowd with his outrageous costumes and dancing; and Mac Fingall– Well-known Barbadian entertainer and emcee, Mac Fingall who livens up Kensington Oval at cricket matches with his band of merry revellers.
The Press Gallery- As its name suggests, this is a gallery of newspapers clips dating as far back as 1900. These clippings all highlight how cricket was captured in the media during the years. Four Barbadian journalists and commentators; Tony Cozier, Donna Symmonds, Captain Peter Short and Mitchie Hewitt are also highlighted.
As you tour through this museum you will also encounter several virtual fields which capture the spirit of a particular iconic moment. An example of this is the Sabina Park exhibit which captures the first Test match against Australia in 1984 when wicket-keeper, Jeff Dujon, took a catch to dismiss Steve Smith off the bowling of Joel “Big Bird” Garner.
There is also a cricket shop, where you can get West Indies cricket apparel and souvenirs. Among other interesting items, you can find books, dvds and even paintings. You can also relax for some lunch at the Legends Pavilion Bar & Restaurant.
Tel: (246) 227‑2651
Opening hours for the museum are Mondays to Fridays 9:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
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