Plantations dictated the social and economic landscape of the island since their inception in 1674 when Christopher Codrington established the first sugar production unit in the island. For centuries, a collection of categories Slaves, long days of work, torture, unhealthy living conditions, immobility, rebellions were related to the image of a plantation. Although the slaves were emancipated in paper by a government decree in 1834, in reality they continued subjected to plantation owners due to the scarce economic opportunities on the island. It was in 1970 with the decline of the sugar bonanza that plantations were definitely abandoned as adequate form of economic production.

Today, the traveler can visit some of these plantations to have a taste of Antigua’s old days. Some are in ruins, others have been partially restored by the government and others have ben revamped into art and commercial complexes.

Built by Codrington, Betty’s Hope was the oldest and biggest plantation on the island. After the government restored the main building and the two mills that were for centuries an important landmark in Antigua’s landscape, it is now a museum. It is located off the road that takes to Long Bay; for further directions to the site and hours of operation, ask at St. John’s Museum.

At the intersection of Church and Market Street, Antigua’s Historical Museum features many artifacts and objects from those plantations.