Pompey Museum of Emancipation and Slavery

Pompey Museum Bahamas is one of several museums in the Nassau Old Town area. Anyone looking to learn more about the country’s past would be remiss not to visit this informative destination.

Pompey Museum Bahamas is one of several museums in the Nassau Bahamas Bay Street area. While other museums may focus on piracy or highlight eclectic private antique collections, Pompey Museum of Emancipation and Slavery covers slavery and the subsequent emancipation. Located in an 18th-century building, the gallery is a thought-provoking addition to any Bahamas vacation.

Good to Know

Location: Nassau Bahamas Bay Street in Nassau Old Town

How Long to Spend: 1 hour

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars.

Nearby Attractions: Pirates of Nassau, Nassau Straw Market, Bay Street, Christ Church Cathedral

Entry Fees: $5 per person[Correct as of 2023]

Pompey Museum Bahamas: Learn about Emancipation and Slavery

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation is a popular small Museum located on Bay Street. Housed in the former Vendue House, a historic building in downtown Nassau Bahamas.

Pompey Museum Bahamas located in historic Vendue House, features bright colors, making it easy to spot.

Nassau Old Town: How to Visit

Pompey Museum Bahamas is one of many sites in Nassau Old Town. This area of the city encompasses much of Downtown, making it one of the most accessible parts of the island to visit.

If you’re visiting Nassau on a cruise ship, you’ll be steps away from the museum and other attractions the moment you disembark. You can expect no more than a five-minute walk to reach Pompey Museum Bahamas.

Once you get to the museum, you can enter between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The museum closes at 1 p.m. on Thursday and is closed entirely on Sundays and public holidays.

Ticket prices (as of 2023*) are $5. Many travelers report considering that a fair price, given all you get to see!

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation is one of the top things to do in Nassau Bahamas. Located on Bay Street.

Nassau Bahamas Bay Street is home to many historic attractions.

Pompey Museum Bahamas: Where Is It?

Pompey Museum Bahamas is one of the many attractions in the Nassau Bahamas Bay Street area. Bay Street stretches east and west across the northern part of New Providence and offers access to beaches, historical sites, luxury hotels, and more.

Travelers cruising to the Bahamas can probably spend most of their day in the Nassau Bahamas Bay Street area. Likewise, if you’re looking for a place to stay, consider staying somewhere on the thoroughfare.

What to See at the Pompey Museum

Learn About Slavery

Inside The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, there are many exhibits and interesting places inside the historic Vendue House.

The museum takes a sobering look at the history of slavery in the Bahamas.

Slavery as an institution existed in the Bahamas for hundreds of years. Because of that, it shaped Bahamian history into its present form and is worth understanding.

As you explore Pompey Museum Bahamas, you’ll see everything from slave artifacts to text covering different topics relating to slavery. The museum also covers issues outside of the Bahamas; for example, it explains how different forms of slavery continue to exist around the world today.

Learn About Emancipation

Exhibits inside the Pompey museum Bahamas tell the history of the Bahamas Slavery and Emancipation history.

Pompey Museum Bahamas also tells the story of Emancipation.

In 1834, the law enabling state-sanctioned slavery expired. This freed thousands of men, women, and children from bondage in the Bahamas (and tens of thousands of more individuals across the British Empire).

However, as Pompey Museum Bahamas showcases, this didn’t instantly make things easier for freed people. For the next several decades, various institutional barriers remained.

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation tells this entire story.

Tour Historic Vendue House

Vendue House is a historic building which is now home to the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, in old town downtown Nassau Bahamas.

Vendue House is one of the many Nassau Old Town sites.

Pompey Museum Bahamas is in one of the island’s many historic structures: Vendue House. Dating back to 1784 (and perhaps even earlier), many original elements of the building remain to this day.

As you explore the museum, make sure to appreciate the age of your surroundings.

Visit Nearby Pompey Square

Pompey Square is a popular centrally located square in downtown Nassau Bahamas. home to The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation on Bay Street.

Outside of Pompey Square and Museum, travelers can find several other museums in the area.

Pompey Square is next to the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation. While its name honors Pompey, the slave, it combines history with modern touches.

Travelers can access several restaurants and other venues that border the square. It also offers excellent views of nearby Nassau Harbour.

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation is located on Pompey Square in downtown Nassau Bahamas. The Pompey Museum Bahamas is a popular attraction in Nassau.

Make sure to walk through Pompey Square before leaving the area.

Pompey Museum of Emancipation and Slavery Travel Tips

Know that many of the exhibits are text-heavy: While the museum houses several artifacts, many of the exhibits feature lengthy pieces of text. Some travelers may not have an issue with this, but others, like children, might. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to discuss what the exhibits cover.
Check Opening Hours: Verify the museum’s opening hours before planning your visit. Museums often have specific operating hours, and it’s essential to plan your schedule accordingly.
Admission Fees: Check if there is an admission fee to enter the museum, and be prepared to pay in the local currency (Bahamian Dollars). Some museums offer discounts for students or seniors.
Guided Tours: If available, consider taking a guided tour of the museum. Guided tours can provide valuable insights into the exhibits and enhance your understanding of the historical context.
Don’t skip a visit to nearby Pompey Square: Nearby Pompey Square touches on slave history through a couple of signs, but also features great views of the harbor and access to restaurants and bars. During the holiday season, you can also see decorations.
Continue your historical tour: While most travelers flock to the beaches, Nassau is full of other fascinating historical sites. From nearby forts to other museums, the island has more to offer than most people realize. Make sure to take advantage of the surrounding pieces of history as well!

Enjoy the Best Things to Do in Downtown Nassau

While there are many fun things to do in Downtown Nassau, visiting the Pompey Museum Bahamas should be at the top of your list. Combining informative displays and a historic building, the museum offers an impactful experience to all who visit.

Nassau is full of attractions that standard tour guides don’t mention. If you’re looking to learn about the best things to do in Downtown Nassau and on the rest of the island, check out our other travel posts. You’ll also want to use our interactive Nassau & Paradise Island map to plan out your itinerary!