Arts and Museums

While wandering in the streets you will be astounded by the old-fashioned Creole architecture -some beautiful Creole homes with coloured wood. Most of them have not been restored since the end of the colonial period. These homes bear witness to the influence of the French on Dominica. They represent a curious mix between a simple yet solid structure, designed to withstand bad weather, and exaggeratingly complicated ornamentations (many louver boards, jalousie blinds pierced into the walls). The Society for Heritage, Architectural Preservation and Enhancement (SHAPE) has identified many of these houses as heritage sites. Homes on the island vary from the suitably extravagant, often purpose built for ambitious locals or emigrants, or simple concrete or wooden dwellings. The use of colour in Dominica is a sure sign of the creativity in expression as can be seen in the variety of colours used for houses on the island.

The Old Market Museum, located at the Bayfront, in Roseau, is the leading cultural institution that provides visitors with an interesting look into the culture of the Dominican People. Artifacts and displays take travelers through the history of the island.

Military outposts tell stories of the colonial battles fought over the island. The most stunning display of these relics is Fort Shirley at the Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth.

There are also remnants of sugar and water mills all over the island, some in better shape than others. At Macoucheri, a local rum factory still uses a Pelton wheel which is powered by water. The Canefield Estate Old Mill, now the offices of the Cultural Division, is one of the best preserved traditional mills, but others like those at Rosalie, Hampsted, Hillsborough, Blenheim, Bagatelle, Geneva, and Soufriere bear some vestiges.