A Museum in Honor of Phillip Goldson

On Monday the National Institute of Culture and History held the formal opening of Goldson House, a museum and research and education institute dedicated to the life and legacy of Philip Goldson. Goldson is hailed as a national hero and a defender of Belizean democracy, and Goldson House is a tribute to his work on behalf of the nation. The institute was constructed at Goldson’s home in Belmopan and opened in the company of his family members, political compatriots, fans and friends. 

Diane Haylock, President, NICH

Diane Haylock

“Space one features a chronology of the life of Mr. Goldson, and it attempts to place his life and experiences in its proper historical context. In space two we have given emphasis to Mr. Goldson’s contributions as a writer and as a journalist and we especially feature his contribution to the anti-colonial movement and to freedom of speech through the recollection of his imprisonment. You will recall that along with Leigh Richardson Mr. Goldson spent time in jail because of his views about Belize’s eventual achievement of Independence. In the third space we personalized Mr. Goldson and feature him in photos including his family. It also contains an important narrative about his philosophical and faith-based approach to life and work. In the fourth space we have set up an audiovisual room which will feature a variety of interviews and recordings done by his family, friends and close associates regarding his life and work. It also features memorabilia or mementos, each of which provides us with a glimpse of who he was. Space five highlights the origin and span of Mr. Goldson’s political life, and is built around the theme of his contribution to pioneering and defending Belize’s democracy and its political institutions. And the last space is where we focus on a few of his many contributions, generally, to Belize.”