BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, has formally launched the US$30 million Symbol of Love Museum and Monuments at Fort Thomas, saying it marks the beginning of a transformative new chapter for the historic 8.7-acre property located at Fortlands, on the outskirts of the capital.
An artist impression of the Symbol of Love Museum and Monuments at Fort Thomas.“Twenty-six years ago, in 1999, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis acquired this property. For too long, it stood idle. Today, that silence ends,” Drew said of the project, which the government says represents a significant foreign direct investment partnership with ABL Inc., a Caribbean developer known for innovative tourism experiences such as the Dominica Cable Car.
Prime Minister Drew said that this initiative is not tied to the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme (CBI) through which the twin island Federation grants citizenship to foreign investors in returning for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of the country.
The government said that the Symbol of Love Museum and Monuments will feature a range of attractions designed to position Fort Thomas as a world-class cultural and tourism epicenter.
These include a Caribbean history museum and an international museum, a botanical garden with water features; restaurants, bars, and coffee shops overlooking the Caribbean Sea as well as convenience stores and souvenir shoppes and a jetty to expand sea access.
It will also feature replicas of internationally renowned world heritage sites and monuments, celebrating figures who shaped global history.
Prime Minister Drew said that the project is “about preservation and transformation” and that the design ensures Fort Thomas’ story will be “celebrated within the museum,” serving as a living classroom for students and a place for visitors to learn about Caribbean and world history.
“Our students will be able to walk these grounds and learn about Caribbean and world history in a living classroom, while our visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of who we are as a people,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the project aligns with St. Kitts’ tourism brand “Venture Deeper,” which encourages visitors to explore the nation’s culture, heritage, and spirit.
“Today, as we turn this soil, we breathe life back into Fort Thomas. We are restoring its purpose to serve our people, to educate our students, to welcome our visitors, and to inspire generations yet to come.”
The government said that the Fort Thomas redevelopment stands as part of the government’s continued commitment to sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic revitalization, aligning with the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA).
