Flagstaff Heritage Tour & Trails Launched in Cockpit County
17 October 2009 by Karin in Worth A Visit [ 11 comments ]
Flagstaff Heritage Tour main trail
Flagstaff Heritage Tour and Trails (FHTT) was launched in a handover ceremony in Flagstaff, St. James on October 15th with a ribbon cutting at the new Visitor Centre by the Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.
A joint effort between the Forestry Department’s Local Forest Management Committees, USAID/Protected Areas and Rural Enterprise Project and The Nature Conservancy, FHTT is a community based eco-tourism site based in the Cockpit Country.
The site features a new Visitor Centre with information on the Cockpit’s Country’s unique biodiversity and English, Spanish and Maroon heritage and a hiking trail into the Cockpit Country forest. There are future plans to develop a museum to house the many artifacts found in the area, a rest stop on the trails as well as two new trails.
Flagstaff is small town of approximately 1100 persons on the north west boundary of the Cockpit County, about one hour’s drive from Montego Bay.
Flagstaff is well worth a visit to experience the unique beauty and biodiversity of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country as well as to learn more about the region’s distinctive history.
For more information email flagstafftours@gmail.com or call 876-835-4629.
The recetly trained tour guides lead a tour of the Visitor Centre
- Flagstaff residents enjoying the festivities
Artifacts display
Flagstaff residents
Flagstaff Wood Carver Floyd Palmer (right) and friend
Gift shop hostesses Rose and Tandene
Accompong Drum Maker, Mas George
Vendors selling locally produced ceramics with the Cockpit Country logo
The Shaw Castle Drummers and Dancers performing at the ceremony
Cockpit Country potter, Garfield Williams (right) and friend
Vendors in the craft village selling Maroon Pride banana chips
The Cockpit County Artisans Cooperative was recently formed to market local products
Chukka Tours reps sampling the local cuisine which included Maroon specialties such as cacoon drops and duckunoo
Vendors at the craft village selling locally produced jams, sauces and wines. Wines included yam, apple, ginger and cabbage wines.
Aunty V's restaurant, the local cook shop in the town square
The Visitor Centre under construction with gift shop (right bottom), restrooms (right back) and bar (left bottom)
Local tour guide demonstrating how to blow a make shift abeng
Flagstaff kids at play
Flagstaff vista
Road to Flagstaff from Maroon Town
Very interesting. We plan to visit soon. B. & D.
I grew going the ’70s the New Testament Churches in Flagstaff( and Garlands), and the neighbouring Maldon Primary School,down the road. I am now making the connection with the exquisite beauty and uniqueness of this area and my choice of career: A teachers of Geography! THis project is a dream come through for many including myself. It is golden!
I grew in the ’70s going the New Testament Churche in Flagstaff, and the neighbouring Maldon Primary School,down the road. I am now making the connection between the exquisite beauty and uniqueness of this area and my choice of career: A teachers of Geography! THis project is a dream come through for many including myself. It is golden!
How lucky for you to grow up in Flagstaff, such a beautiful place!
K,
Great work on this. How is Mike G. doing? Is there still a way to get up on top of Gun Hill- that would be a great addition to the tours.
J.
Not sure if you can get up to Gun Hill- will check on this. Mike G. is doing great!
Is there a Kingston outlet for the ceramics, jams, wines, etc.? That would be great for those of us who can’t visit regularly. The products we have sampled are very good.
Great idea!
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