Knowledge Self – The events of the 8th of March 1744 within the Antigua Naval Dockyard claimed the lives of 8 enslaved men; Billy, London, James Soe, Caramantee Quamano, Dick, Joe, Scipio and Johnno.
Knowledge Self Generational Wealth
Their story was hidden within the archives for many years, and the contributions of African free and enslaved labourers and soldiers were not widely known. Thus, the history of the Dockyard was attributed singularly to British Naval glory and supremacy but the names and stories of the enslaved and free Africans of the Naval Dockyard, are now being spotlighted by the recording of the events of the 8th of March 1744 and even more research.
The 8th of March Project by the National Parks Authority is a multifaceted research and interpretation program combining archaeology, archives, oral history, and genealogy to study the history and legacies of enslavement and freedom. The project recognizes that for the first 60 years of public interpretation at the Dockyard, first under the Friends of English Harbour and after 1984 by the National Parks Authority, there was a specific focus on British naval heroes like Horatio Nelson and the Dockyard’s role in protecting Imperial Britain’s power in the Caribbean. While there was an acknowledgement that more than 80% of the workforce during the Dockyard’s operation were highly skilled enslaved and free Africans, they remained nameless: a passing tribute as visitors learned about British officers and sailors, rum, and the successes of the British against other colonial powers.
The 8th of March Project now rests on three pillars: research, education and interpretation to educate the Antiguan and Barbudans and the diaspora. For 2026, this project proposes a youth-focused programme that brings research out of academic and institutional spaces and into schools and the wider community. By actively involving young people this initiative aims to foster critical thinking, heritage awareness, and a sense of ownership over Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural legacy. Under the theme: “Knowledge of Self is Generational Wealth,” this project aims to introduce young people to the history and legacy within the Antigua Naval Dockyard, popularly recognised as the Nelson’s Dockyard.
This focus is guided by today’s global attitudes toward race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage are complex and deeply contextual, shaped by history, politics, education, migration, and globalisation. These attitudes are not fixed; they evolve in response to shifting power structures, social movements, and expanding access to knowledge. Within the Caribbean, particularly in former colonial societies conversations surrounding race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage are layered and often contested. Debates about what should be protected, interpreted, and transmitted to future generations are influenced by colonial legacies, systems of racial hierarchy, and ongoing processes of identity formation. Decisions about conservation are therefore never neutral; they reflect broader negotiations about belonging, representation, and power.
The activities for 2026 were led by a Commemorative Parade on Thursday 5th March 2026 along Dockyard Drive. Students from across Antigua and Barbuda gathered in a vibrant display of pride, creativity, and community spirit. The event brought together participants from primary and secondary schools, including Cobbs Cross and JT Ambrose Primary Schools, Pares Secondary, Irene B Williams, Island Academy, Ottos Comprehensive Schools along with students from the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advance Studies (ABCAS).
The parade formed part of the activities designed to engage young people in learning about the nation’s history, culture, and heritage. The parade ended with a commemorative prayer led by Father R. Christian of the St Paul’s Anglican Church, honouring the sacrifices of the 8 men who were killed in 1744 and the many others who came after. This was followed by a panel discussion where students were engaged by panelists Ambassador Dobrene O’Marde and Ms Angelica O’Donoghue, Dr Hazra Medica and ABCAS student Ms. Jade Laurence. The lively discussion explored topics of identity and connection with culture and its evolution, how history is taught and how it is received and reparative justice.
The NPA will also conduct a series of school visits across the island, entering classrooms to share the research of the 8th of March Project and to engage students in discussions on the history and heritage of Antigua and Barbuda.
