ANTIGUA & BARBUDA CELEBRATES 300 YEARS OF THE HISTORIC ANTIGUA NAVAL DOCKYARD
Thursday 25th September 2025
St. John’s, Antigua, 24 September 2025 - The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in partnership with the National Parks Authority, proudly marks the 300th anniversary of the Antigua Naval Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Caribbean’s most treasured cultural landmarks. For three centuries, the Dockyard has stood as a testament to naval craftsmanship, resilience, and the island’s deep maritime heritage. Established in 1725, it served as the base for Britain’s Royal Navy in the region and has since transformed into a vibrant cultural, tourism, and yachting hub. Today, it remains the only working Georgian dockyard in the world, symbolizing both preservation and adaptation.
“The 300th anniversary of the Dockyard is more than a commemoration of history — it is a tribute to our identity, resilience, and national pride,” said Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, Minister responsible for the National Parks. “This milestone reaffirms Antigua and Barbuda’s standing on the world stage as a nation that celebrates its heritage, culture, natural environment, and key communities, while confidently embracing the future.”
A Year of Celebrations: Celebration Highlights Grand Commemorative Ceremony with community members, key stakeholders, and the yachting fraternity. Exhibitions and Heritage Tours featuring rare artefacts, archives, and stories from 300 years of naval history. Cultural Festivals, including the annual Dockyard Day with traditional sailing, food, music, and storytelling.
Youth & Education Programs to engage and inspire the next generation. Sailing and Yachting Events showcasing the Dockyard’s ongoing role as a premier maritime hub. “As custodians of the nation’s heritage, we at the National Parks Authority are honoured to lead the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Antigua Naval Dockyard,” said Mrs Ann Marie Martin, Parks Commissioner. “This tricentennial is not only a recognition of the Dockyard’s global significance, but also a celebration of the communities who have preserved and enriched its legacy. Together, we look forward to ensuring that the Dockyard remains a living symbol of our history, culture, and future potential.”
About the Antigua Naval Dockyard Now part of the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, the Antigua Naval Dockyard was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. It remains the beating heart of Antigua and Barbuda’s heritage tourism, blending preserved Georgian-era architecture with modern marina facilities. The Dockyard attracts thousands of visitors annually, who come to experience its unique history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural programming.
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ABOUT THE NPA The National Parks Authority (NPA) is a Statutory Corporation constituted under the National Parks Act Cap. 290 (1984) of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. The Act mandates that the NPA is self-financing and operates as a not-for-profit organization in order to preserve, protect, manage and develop the natural environment, heritage, architecture, and culture of the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. Since 2016, the historical core, the Georgian era Royal Navy Dockyard and surrounding British military sites have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of the long and successful stewardship and management of the NPA
