Trench Town Culture Yard

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Trench Town Culture Yard - 6-10 Lower First Street, Trench Town, Kingston
Tel:- (1 876) 376-0891

The Trench Town Culture Yard is the "government yard" where Bob Marley and the Wailers lived and composed many of their best known songs in the 70s. The "government yards" consisted of blocks of around 10-20 rooms surrounding a common cooking and washing area. The 16 room yard where Bob Marley used to live has been restored and is now run as the "Trench Town Culture Yard" museum. In 2007 the yard was declared a national heritage site. At the culture yard you can see Marley's old bedroom (with bed), his first guitar and the shell of his Volkswagen camper van. The museum also includes a gallery of photographs, artefacts and documents telling the story of Trench Town.

Whilst the yard does not boast an overwhelming amount to see, it is worth a visit to experience the atmosphere and to see with your own eyes the sights, sounds and smells which Bob Marley (and many other Jamaican musicians) grew up around. Some guides also offer guides around the Trench Town community.

History of Trench Town

Trench Town was established in the 1940s when 200 acres of "Trench Pen" area was converted in to a model community. However, over the years, political violence and (currently) gang culture have had a severe negative impact on the town and it is now an impoverished community. Despite the hardship, many talented Jamaicans have sprung from Trench Town, including Bob Marley and the Wailers (Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer), the Abyssinians and the Heptones.

Warning

You should be aware before you visit that the Trench Town area suffers from very high rates of violent crime. The vast majority of this crime is gang related and, as such, is very unlikely to affect visitors to the area. However, it would be advisable to visit the Trench Town Culture Yard with a guide who knows the area and not to visit at night time.

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