Pompey Museum
About This Museum
Tucked along the bustling waterfront of Bay Street in Nassau's historic district, the Pompey Museum occupies a building whose quiet dignity belies its painful past. Stepping inside the thick, coral stone walls of the Vendue House, you're standing on the very ground where enslaved Africans were once auctioned, a fact that lends every exhibit a profound and somber weight. The museum doesn't just tell this history; it feels it, with personal stories and artifacts that center on Bahamian resistance and resilience, named for the courageous slave Pompey who led a revolt on Exuma. It’s a necessary, moving stop that recontextualizes the sun-drenched charm of downtown Nassau.
Collection Highlights
Exhibits focus on the transatlantic slave trade and post-emancipation life, featuring poignant artifacts like leg irons and historical documents. A central theme is the story of Pompey himself and other acts of defiance that shaped the islands.
Visitor Information
It's right in the heart of everything on Bay Street, easy to pop into while exploring downtown. Just check their current opening hours as they can vary.
Architecture & Building
An 18th-century structure built from traditional Bahamian coral stone, it's one of the oldest buildings in Nassau and originally functioned as a market and vendue (auction) house.
Contact & Location
Address: Bay Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
Phone: +1 242-326-1007
Website: Visit Website
