Numismatic & Freemason History

History, culture, and currency go hand in hand in this interactive collection housed at The Exchange.  Currency, wax figures, documents, and interactive displays combine to tell the historical stories of important figures in Barbados such as Rachel Pringle and London Bourne, discussing their entrepreneurship as freed people of colour. Dive into the history of friendly societies like the meeting turn and the landship and relive the transformation of currency from gold to the paper currency in use today. Learn more about the structures of Bridgetown including The Central Bank of Barbados and the historic Church Village Green and delve into the mystery of the Exchange’s 16th century home, which was the first Harrisons’ Free School and a former freemason lodge.