Parliament Celebrates 50 Years of the Legislative Building

Date: 21st July 2022

Location: House of Parliament, Grand Cayman

On 21st July 2022, the House of Parliament celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the building with a free outdoor public celebration. The widely-attended event brought Caymanians, residents, and visitors together to celebrate the Parliament and its rich history.

Hon. Gloria McField-Nixon, Chief Officer of the Portfolio of the Civil Service and Acting Deputy Governor, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which took place in front of the steps of Parliament. Over 200 residents and visitors attended the evening celebration and were treated to complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and local catering.

The two-hour programme was filled with entertainment, dance, song, theatre and fireworks. Performances were offered by Mr. Jimmeh La’Pierre, the Cayman National Choir, Ms. Diana DeMercado, the Joanna Clarke Primary Family, Dreamchasers, Miss Alanna Warrick-Smith, the Sir. John A. Cumber Primary School, Ms. Betty Ebanks & Family, Mr. Matt Brown and his troupe of entertainers, the Cayman Folk Singers, and Mr. Lammie Seymour. Renowned local artist Mr. John Broad painted a “live” painting of the celebratory event, presenting the nearly-finished product to the Honourable Speaker at the end of the ceremony.

Parliament celebrated the historic occasion with the publishing of an 80-page colour book developed by the Parliament Management Commission and the Cayman Islands National Archive. The book provided insight into the history of the legislature prior to the first dedicated Parliament building, the discussions and decisions that led to the new building, and the international architectural competition that was held in 1969-1970. To learn more and to download a PDF copy, click here.

A photograph exhibit was also set up in the lobby of Parliament showcasing photographs and documents from the opening celebration in 1972 and the years of planning beforehand. The Cayman National Museum built a display case that was used to showcase the 50-year old documents and to display the Parliament’s first gavel, which was generously donated by the Bermuda branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.