Come and experience “Living History”!

Certainly the historic events of the 18th and 19th centuries draw most visitors to this site. But destiny-shaping history doesn’t always reside in the recesses of the distant past.

The Hurricane Ivan Memorial uses text, images, and symbols to represent important aspects of the natural disaster that visited the Cayman Islands on the 12th of September, 2004.

Hurricane Ivan, a category 5 hurricane, struck the Cayman Islands and caused horrific devastation throughout the Islands and to Pedro St. James. The Great House, Theatre, Café, and vegetation were extensively damaged. The cost to repair Pedro St. James was estimated at CI$1.4 Million.

The restoration of this national historic site was completed in May 2006, when it was reopened for visitors. Mr. Gilbert Connolly, CEO of the Tourism Attraction Board which oversees the management of Pedro St. James, created the Hurricane Ivan Memorial to reflect the following symbolism:

• The circle is symbolic of the resilience and resolve of the Caymanian People to unite and rebuild their country following the hurricane.
   
• The twelve (12) stones in the circle represent the date of September 12th, the day the hurricane struck. The stones were washed ashore by the hurricane and were responsible for causing some damage to property.
   
• The nine (9) seats represent September, the 9th month of the year. The seats are made from the trunk of a tamarind tree that had been located on the property, but was blown down during the hurricane. The tree was estimated to have been over 100 years old.
   
• The four (4) tables represent the year 2004 and were made from the same tamarind tree.