LIBERTY HALL, former headquarters of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) was officially reopened to the public in a ceremony yesterday at its location on King Street.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson encouraged the gathering to ensure that the new Liberty Hall fulfils the dreams of National Hero Marcus Garvey.
"It must seek to fulfil Garvey's dream of our own control over the destiny of our own people in the fields of education, business and the arts," he said.
Opposition leader, Edward Seaga highlighted many of the achievements of Garvey as well as the resilience and dedication to his quest for freedom.
The reopening of the facility after being closed since the early 1980s was eagerly welcomed by the sizeable crowd of residents, government officials, rastafarians and well wishers who attended the ceremony.
The New three storey Liberty Hall building hosts a museum with pieces from Garvey's life and work. It will also have a multimedia centre and library, a gift shop, book shop and open-air facility for general use by the wider community.
The hall was bought in 1923 by the UNIA to be its headquarters until 1927 when it moved to Slipe Pen Road.
