Have you heard the news? During the first week of March, the aptly named Cultural Heritage (Protection) Bill (2025) was approved by both houses of Parliament! Antigua and Barbuda, with over 56 forts, 100 prehistoric sites, 250 known shipwrecks, 200 sugar estates, and churches and architectural masterpieces, NOW has comprehensive heritage protection legislation.

Twenty years in the making, the legislation provides for the inventorying and efficient management of our tangible and intangible terrestrial (land) and marine (underwater) cultural heritage resources. This will allow for the safeguarding of our heritage for future generations. It will also advance our economic and sustainable development by creating additional tourism revenue streams, generating jobs, and enriching both our education and heritage sectors.

We recently caught up with the legislation’s longtime champion, renowned archaeologist Dr. Reginald Murphy, who gave us a closer look at the origin, significance, and implementation plan of this important piece of legislation.  Please view and/or listen to the interview below:

Interviewee: Dr. Reginald Murphy, CN, MBE, GOH, PhD. Archaeologist, Antigua and Barbuda’s UNESCO National Commission Secretary-General, and a relentless heritage advocate.

Interviewer: Dr. Hazra C. Medica. Cultural Advisor, Ministry of Sports, Culture, and the Creative Industries.

Videographer: Mr. Jeremiah Joseph. Data Entry Clerk, National Archives of Antigua and Barbuda.

Location: The Copper & Lumber Restaurant, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, English Harbour.

See the full text of the legislation here: The Cultural Heritage Protection Bill.