Calls for there to be a Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Museum have finally materialized, as the entity has found a home at the old headquarters of the Trinidad Co-operative Bank, known colloquially as as “The Penny Bank”.

The museum, conceptualized by the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association, opened its doors on Wednesday and is located at the corner of Duke and Charlotte Streets in Port of Spain.

Tourism & Culture Minister Randall Mitchell says with the  birthplace of Carnival being east Port-of-Spain, it was important that the museum be at this location.

“We have the Carnival Museum in east Port-of-Spain, very soon we will have a state-of-the-art Desperadoes Pan Theatre and we also have the Picadilly Greens,” Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bandleaders’ Association, Rosalind Gabriel explained that the structure, built in 1914, will be renovated to suit the layout of the museum, but assured the historical integrity of the building will be preserved. 

“The vision for the Carnival museum is to be the home where the stories of Carnival are to be told and its mission would be to preserve the history and ongoing evolution of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival wherever it occurs in the world, passing on its knowledge and skills, communicating its legacy and telling the story of carnival through education, art and technology,” she said.

Minister Mitchell revealed plans are also in train to utilize virtual reality and advanced technology to better showcase Carnival’s history and legacy.

“To corporate Trinidad and Tobago, come here, there are incentives for sponsorship in the cultural sector, take advantage of those. This promises to be a truly remarkable project,” he  said in an open invitation.