Falmouth is the chief town and capital of the parish of Trelawny in Jamaica. It is situated on Jamaica's north coast 18 miles east of Montego Bay. It is noted for being one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian towns.
Founded by Thomas Reid in 1769, Falmouth flourished as a market centre and port for forty years at a time when Jamaica was the world's leading sugar producer. It was named after Falmouth in the UK, the birthplace of Sir William Trelawny the Governor of Jamaica who was instrumental in its establishment.
The town was meticulously planned from the start, with wide streets in a regular grid, adequate water supply, and public buildings. It had a piped water before New York City.
While Falmouth saw little commercial advancement after the 1840’s, houses continued to be built. The town’s buildings, the old and the not so old, make up the historic townscape of Falmouth. These shared characteristics weave the varied building styles into a distinctive pattern of early Jamaican architecture, and a critical mass of each variety makes the town an unusually distinctive place.
ATTRACTIONS
Places of interest include: the Albert George Shopping and Historical Centre, dating from 1895; the former residence of slave owner John Tharp; the town house of plantation owner Edward Barrett; and the St Peter’s Anglican Church, built in 1795.
Greenwood Great House - Greenwood Great House is the finest antique museum in the Caribbean and indeed the greatest Great House in Jamaica. It has retained the atmosphere of the 19th century. It was built during an era of elegance and brutality. It has continued to capture the imagination of its visitors. No other attraction in the Caribbean has a larger authentic collection. Greenwood has the largest and rarest collection of musical instruments in the island. The house once belonged to the Barretts of Wimpole Street London (related to Elizabeth Barrett-Browning).
Martha Brae Rafters' Village - Take an exhilarating river ride on a 30 foot bamboo raft and be captivated by the intriguing legend of Martha's Gold hidden away in a mysterious cave yet to be discovered. The 3 mile raft ride, piloted by a trained Raft Captain relaxes your mind and body as it renews your spirit. Revive your love for nature's beauty evidenced in picturesque snapshots during the 90-minute journey through the verdant countryside of a tropical splendour.
St Peter's Anglican Church - St. Peter's, after an 1842 extension stands as one of the largest Anglican churches in Jamaica. Its supporting columns are of solid mahogany and its floor includes crosses inlaid with mahoe and mahogany. Graves spanning over 200 years grace its cemetery.
The Falmouth All-Age School - A former army barracks which now (with new construction and improvements) serves as school.
