PEDRO ST. JAMES

Savannah
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman
Cayman Island
345-947-3329

http://www.pedrostjames.ky

Type: Historical Interest
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily

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One of the East End’s newest attractions is also its oldest. Pedro St. James Restoration Site, an 18thcentury great house, has undergone complete renovation and today the building known as the “Birthplace of Democracy in the Cayman Islands” is open to the public. Called Pedro Castle, the historic structure is in the community of Savannah, east of George Town. The oldest-known stone structure in the Cayman Islands, Pedro Castle was built in the late 18th century as a great house for William Eden, an early settler. In 1831, the house was the site of an historic meeting when residents decided that the five districts of the Cayman Islands should have representation in the government. Four years later, a proclamation declaring the emancipation of all slaves was read at Pedro Castle and several other sites in the islands. The site, purchased by the government in 1991, is at the center of a 7.65-acre landscaped park atop the 30-foot Great Pedro Bluff. The CI $7.5 (about US $6.25) million project was a major undertaking, taking seven years to complete. The restoration used architectural and historic research to return the house to its 1820-1840 appearance. Tours start with an excellent multi-media show with 3-D dioramas, providing a history of the house that captivates children and adults alike. From the show, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the house then walk the grounds, which boast several extensive walking paths, a variety of native plants, and beautiful sea views. We have visited Pedro St. James several times and each time come away with some new knowledge. The operation is very well done and this attraction is highly recommended, especially for visitors who are making their second trip to the Cayman Islands and would like to learn more about the island’s history.