Minister Bartlett Launches JAM-ICONIC Experience at Historic Hope Gardens

Kingston, Jamaica – June 10, 2025
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, today officially unveiled the HOPE installation at the Hope Royal Botanic Gardens, marking the latest milestone in the JAM-ICONIC Experience — a national heritage initiative by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

The unveiling of the Jam-Iconic Hope Gardens Experience sign represents the fourth installment in the island-wide campaign, which blends physical landmarks with interactive digital engagement. The initiative aims to celebrate and preserve Jamaica’s history, culture, and heritage by highlighting iconic spaces through branded installations and community-driven storytelling.

The new HOPE sign, embedded with lush greenery and flanked by a new entryway, offers a refreshed tourism experience designed to honor the Gardens’ rich past while inspiring new generations to explore and connect with the space. The installation is also part of a wider effort to position Hope Gardens as one of the “Seven Wonders” of St. Andrew Eastern.

“This is more than a sign — it is a statement,” said Minister Bartlett. “It represents who we are as a people and the iconic places that define our identity.”

A Place of Legacy and Life

Commonly referred to as Hope Gardens, the Hope Royal Botanic Gardens were once part of Major Richard Hope’s estate — a British officer rewarded with vast lands after the English captured Jamaica from the Spanish in 1655. The estate spanned from the sea to the hills of Newcastle, forming the foundation of what would become one of Kingston’s most treasured public spaces.

In 1766, the estate became Kingston’s first water supply source, and by 1874, more than 200 acres had been repurposed into a Botanical Establishment for experimentation and education. Over time, it evolved into the public gardens we know today — home to historical architecture, native flora, and cultural events.

Nearby institutions such as the University of the West Indies (UWI), University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica College, and the National Water Commission Filter Plant at Liguanea all share historical ties with the former estate. Hope Gardens is now protected by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, preserving its legacy for future generations.

JAM-ICONIC: A National Celebration

The JAM-ICONIC Experience campaign, led by TPDCo, includes:

• The unveiling of Jam-Iconic signs in culturally significant locations like Foreshore Road in Falmouth.
• Social media activations such as the “My Jam-Iconic Experience” challenge, encouraging Jamaicans and visitors to share videos of their favorite places across the island.

Today’s launch at Hope Gardens continues the mission to elevate Jamaica’s iconic spaces, blending tourism, heritage, and community engagement into a single national movement.