New Safety Features, Interactive Tours, Fees At Historic Monument

Fort Charlotte is making history once again. After a series of renovations to the largest fort in The Bahamas including new disabled person access ramps, safety rails, lighting, landscaping and audio tour displays and additional training for tour guides, the fort will be the first to charge an entrance fee. Beginning Feb. 1, a nominal entry fee starting at $1 for children will be charged - a small price to pay, authorities say, to help preserve, restore and maintain other historic forts throughout the country.

"Fort Charlotte, which is arguably the most significant of all of our historic treasures -- the 200-year-old grand dame of fortresses that has served as backdrop to so much of our history -- was in desperate need of repair and upgrading," explained Dr. Keith Tinker, Director of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation that has responsibility for historic sites, including forts. "Thanks to grants and other donations, we were able to invest more than $500,000, not only saving much of the internal structure of rock and cedar, but transforming the fort into a much more exciting tourist attraction with uniformed and trained tour guides as well as the installation of a self-guided interactive tour. We've added access ramps for the disabled, safety rails, re-landscaped the grounds, added rest rooms for the public and an administration office." The fort gets about 250,000 visitors a year now. "With the improvements, we expect that number to increase. By charging a small admission fee, we will be able to generate funds for maintaining and preserving historic monuments throughout The Bahamas."

Dr. Tinker called the recent changes part of the corporation's overall goal of providing an exciting, interactive historical experience for visitors and residents.

"The premises are safer and the tours are now more entertaining, packed with historic details about what life was like in The Bahamas some 200 years ago," he said. Constructed in 1789, Fort Charlotte ö named after King George III's consort -- was once the most expansive military post protecting Nassau's western harbour. It was at Fort Charlotte where the American and British flags were hoisted as the ruling French flag was lowered and later it was the background of the first hoisting of the Bahamian flag as the British flag came down. Staff historians teamed up with an international graphics display company to produce new exhibits and build the audio display units positioned throughout the grounds. Better lighting and smoother pathways open the option for nighttime tours.

"With the implementation of the new fee structure, we hope to reinvest these funds into the upkeep of the Fort Charlotte property and begin making similar improvements to other historic sites and monuments," Dr. Tinker said.

The Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation board anticipates that the changes to Fort Charlotte will trigger a boost in visitor traffic to nearly a half million visitors by 2005/2006.

"We are launching new advertising campaigns to increase our daily visitor count. Our tour guides have undergone extensive retraining exercises to help larger groups tour Fort Charlotte. With the new displays, visitors in smaller groups now have the option to participate in self-guided tours at their leisure in a safer environment," said Dr. Tinker.

Is the new Old Fort Charlotte a reinvention of the past? More like an historic lesson in reinvigoration. New entry rates at Fort Charlotte are $2 for resident adults, $5 for non-resident adults, $3 for non-resident seniors over 60 and $1 for all children, local and guests, under 14.

CANNON SUPRISE: The new Fort Charlotte is filled many intriguing artifacts, including cannons (above) that beg visitors to take a closer look. (Photo by Felipe Major, Vision Photography for DP&A)

BACK TO THE FUTURE: More than $500,000, most through grants and donations, has been invested to restore and reinvigorate Nassau's most treasured historic site, Fort Charlotte. Now, visitors like this family get a closer look at the fort -- and the country's past -- with tours, better lighting, safety rails, access for the disabled and much more. The work was carried out through the auspices of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation which announced nominal entry fees to be used for restoring and maintaining other forts. (Photo by Felipe Major, Vision Photography for DP&A)

Caption: BACK TO THE FUTURE – More than $500,000, mostly through grants and donations, has been invested to restore and reinvigorate Nassau's most treasured historic site, Fort Charlotte. Now, visitors like this family get a closer look at the fort -- and the country's past -- with tours, better lighting, safety rails, access for the disabled and much more. The work was carried out through the auspices of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation which announced nominal entry fees to be used for restoring and maintaining other forts. (Photo by Felipe Major, Vision Photography for DP&A)

Posted: Wednesday February 4, 2004