A Walk Through Old Belize Launched In the Old Capital

Today at the House of Culture in Belize City, a publication of historical landmarks was launched. The book, “A Walk through Old Belize, is published by the Belize Tourism Board in collaboration with the Institute for Social and Cultural Research to present data on significant markers in the Old Capital. Some thirty-seven sites are featured providing a wealth of information on their national importance in the city’s landscape. “A Walk Through Old Belize” is another valuable publication to add to the growing list of books on Belize’s history, geography and culture. Author, Lawrence Vernon, spoke of the user-friendly book saying he first got on board in 2011.

Lawrence Vernon, Author

Lawrence Vernon

“As a librarian I am always pleased when a book dealing with some aspect of Belize is produced and especially so in this instance when I am telling you as the writer. This book, A Walk through Old Belize, will add a significant dimension to our national literature. Actually our city landmarks include sites, buildings and structures which are recognized as important to the history of Belize. As such, the project top produce this book involved collecting data, highlight landmarks which will benefit our tour guides, our taxi drivers, our horse and buggy drivers, students and of course our general public. As indicated in the book’s introduction, there may be many more places of interests that need more elaborating in order to appreciate the historical significance. Fortunately personnel from the B.T.B. and the ISCR therefore have plans in place to research and map out sections of Belize City to develop what will be called the Belize City Everyday Trade. Although the work contains descriptions of some thirty-seven sites, we realize that there are more that have not been covered, in this regard, we urge users and readers to suggest other landmarks that we might not be aware of which in due course can be included as a second edition.”

The data and information used in the book were gathered from the Belize Archives and Record Service, the National Heritage Library of the Belize National Library Service, local newspapers and from personal interviews with local and prominent historians.