SJC students post signs at House of Culture
It used to be that unless you got a special invitation you couldn’t go into the Government House at the end of Regent Street. But these days visitors, both local and foreign, are welcome to tour the building now called the House of Culture, and its lovely grounds. This week some students lent their expertise to the effort. News Five was there to see the results.
Since the House of Culture was established on April first, a lot of work has been done to the grounds of the historical Government House to make the site a more enjoyable and informative place to tour. The land, which is home to an abundance of exotic plants and trees, has been a popular site with Belizeans and tourists. Today the flora has been given an identity of its own making the tour even more worthwhile. Students of St. John’s Sixth Form were given the task of making attractive signs that carry information on specific plants and flowers.
Anna Dominquez Hoare, Environmental Teacher, SJC Sixth Form
“What they basically did was they came to the grounds and identified the trees. They did a little bit of research to find more information about that particular tree that they were responsible for creating the interpretive sign and then they had to create a conceptual design of the sign first and then do the artistic part to it. So it may look simple but it takes a few days to complete a nice interpretive sign.”
Tanya Simmons, Student
“I just hope that the people who come to visit will appreciate it and learn something from it as well.”
For the past five years Ephrain Craig has been responsible for maintaining the grounds. On occasion he has also had to be a tour guide and this is where he says the signs will be a big help.
Ephrain Craig, Gardener, House of Culture
“Well that was a brilliant idea. It is much easier for me because when the tourists come to visit the grounds they would ask me what is the name of that plant? And sometimes I don’t know.”
Besides all the greenery, the grounds are also home to a variety of birds. The House of Culture is working with the Belize Audubon Society to make the tour more enjoyable for bird watchers.
If you would like to visit the House of Culture or tour the grounds opening hours are: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays and on Fridays it is open until 4:00 p.m. The entrance fee is five dollars per person.
