PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is urging the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Gumbs, and Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Patrice Gumbs, to ensure that Fort Amsterdam, one of Sint Maarten’s most important historical monuments, is included in any upgrading and beautification initiatives undertaken by their ministries.
Fort Amsterdam, built in 1631, is among the island’s last remaining historic monuments. Constructed to protect the Dutch colonial outpost and seaport, it is recognized for its strategic location overlooking Great Bay and Little Bay and for being the site of the failed Dutch attempt to retake the fort from the Spanish in 1644.
Today, Fort Amsterdam is a popular tourist attraction, offering both historical insights and scenic views. However, MP Lewis expressed strong dissatisfaction with the monument's current state of neglect. During our visit, some Divi employees and tourists took the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the upkeep of our national historic monument. MP Lewis also spoke to Ma,x an environmental protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) researcher, who explained to the MP that the degradation of the Fort can have a significant negative impact not only on tourism but also to the Brown Pelicans, who uses the area as a nesting site, which is known to be the last nesting site of our national bird.
“It is quite embarrassing to see that one of our most popular tourist sites—attracting guests from around the world to experience and learn about our history—is facing deterioration and neglect. We must do better at maintaining and safeguarding our national historic monuments. As the Minister who oversees our culture, I urge you to take this situation seriously before Fort Amsterdam falls into a state that can no longer be revived,” MP Lewis stated.
MP Lewis also called on the Ministers to look to Fort Louis on the northern side of our island as an example, where continuous maintenance and upgrades are carried out to preserve its historical and cultural value.
“If our neighbors can prioritize the preservation of their historic sites, then surely we, too, can ensure that Fort Amsterdam receives the respect, investment, and care it deserves,” he added.
MP Lewis reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the protection and promotion of Sint Maarten’s cultural heritage, urging immediate action to prevent further decline of Fort Amsterdam. “This site is historically and ecologically important, and the Ministers responsible must do their job and preserve our national treasure. MP Lewis concluded.
