Our unique, wonderful Island has a rich history and vibrant culture. A visit to our museum is a great way to learn more about the places you dive, the people you meet and the relaxed atmosphere you enjoy.
Little Cayman History
The Little Cayman Museum has grown out of the personal collection of Linton and Polly Tibbetts. Mr. Tibbetts known to many as “Mr. T” long appreciated the importance of preserving the Sister Islands’ cultural heritage, and the Cayman Brac Museum, Cayman’s first museum, was built largely at his instigation in 1983.
In 1997, the original Little Cayman Museum opened its doors, displaying a variety of objects that Mr. and Mrs. T had collected from around the island and procured from Little Caymanians both at home and abroad. The Little Cayman Maritime Museum followed in 2009, honoring the island’s seafaring heritage. Giving tours of the museums was one of Mr. T’s great joys, and he deeply appreciated the necessity of both preserving and transmitting Little Cayman’s heritage.
Mr. T continually strove to improve and expand his collection’s scope and display, and was developing plans to enhance the museum building when he passed away at the age of 88 in 2011. The Tibbetts family then undertook to continue Mr. T’s vision for the future of the Little Cayman Museum, and ground was broken on a new building in early 2013.
The new Little Cayman Museum celebrated its grand reopening on July 18, 2014. The new building combines the collections of the previous Little Cayman Museum and the Maritime Museum, boasting five galleries interpreting Little Cayman’s people and culture, as well as safe and secure storage for the growing collection. The Museum stands poised to continue to safeguard Little Cayman’s heritage for many years to come.