George Price’s Belize City home to be preserved, converted to place of public education

Published by [email protected] at September 20, 2024

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Posted: Friday, September 20, 2024. 8:01 am CST.

Photo Credit: NICH

By Rubén Morales Iglesias:

Historic Agreement to Preserve Price Family Home

In a significant development, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) on Thursday, September 19, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Price Family to preserve and transform the historic Price Family Home at #3 Pickstock Street, in Belize City. NICH said the home of Belize first Prime Minister, George Price – Father of the Belizean Nation – holds immense national value and will be repurposed for public benefit.

“For almost fifty years, it was the seat of secret plots, counterplots; the crucible of the long struggle that took Belize from sef-government to independence and forge the nation of Belize,” NICH said.

Photo Credit: NICH

Educational Transformation

NICH plans to convert the house and its yard into an immersive educational environment which will include a classroom and lecture hall and a botanical and sculpture garden. NICH said the classroom and lecture hall will be ‘equipped with modern technology to foster historical and cultural education,” while the botanical and sculpture garden will promote biodiversity and artistic expression.

“The development will be conducted in consultation with the Price family and relevant experts, ensuring the site remains a non-partisan space accessible to all Belizeans and visitors,” NICH said in a press release.

“Within its wooden walls decisions of great moment that would change the course of history were made,” NICH said of George Price’s home.

“Around the ‘table of the revolution’ George Price, Leigh Richardson, Philip Goldson and Nicholas Pollard formed the People’s Committee in 1949, launching the colony’s first organized, mass-based movement to fight British colonialism. One year later, they reconvened to establish the first political party – the People’s United Party.”

Photo Credit: NICH

Commemorative Materials

Event attendees were given a complimentary brochure and poster highlighting the occasion. NICH said interested persons may access resources on Belize’s journey to Independence and the life and work of George Price through the new educational portal, access501, which had already attracted more than 7,000 visitors since its launch.

Photo Credit: NICH

Plaque Dedication

A marble plaque marking the occasion was unveiled.

“Price Family Home/Birthplace of George Price/Father of the Belizean Nation,” says the multilingual inscription which appears in English, Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Maya. The plaque also honours the Price family lineage, recognizing George Price’s parents Irene Cecilia Escalante Price and William Cadle Price, along with their children, Lydia, Jane, George, Alice Margaret, Ann, Josephine, Samuel, Elizabeth, Katharine, Judith, and John.

Prime Minister John Briceño with Price Family ladies – Photo Credit: NICH

“It was the locus of historic memorials drafted by Price to the King of England demanding better conditions for the people of Belize, where letters were drafted to the United Nations expressing the colony’s desire for self-determination,” NICH said of George Price’s home at No. 3 Pickstock Street in Belize City.

“The backyard was the staging area for countless demonstrations where incendiary placards were produced to irritate testy British governors.”

Thursday’s event marked a historic moment in Belize, celebrating the legacy and vision of the late Rt. Hon George C. Price. The recognition of the Price Family Home as a site of national value and its transformation into a public educational space underscores the commitment to preserving Belize’s rich cultural heritage.

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