Trench Town, which began life as a much-prized housing project erected by the British in the 1930s, is widely credited as the birthplace of ska, rocksteady and reggae music. It has been immortalized in numerous reggae songs, not least Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman No Cry,’ the poignant anthem penned by Marley’s mentor, Vincent ‘Tata’ Ford, in a tiny bedroom at what is now the Trench Town Museum .
The museum is stocked with Wailers memorabilia, along with the rusted-out carcass of a VW bus that belonged to the Wailers in the 1960s and the small bedroom that was Bob and Rita Marley’s home before superstardom. Tours can be rather brisk, with visitors steered towards the gift shop.
Also on site is the Trench Town Development Association , responsible for transforming the home into a community-based heritage site, and dedicated to promoting social justice and self-reliance. It is allied with the nearby Trench Town Reading Centre , established to arm the neighborhood youth with knowledge rather than guns.
Visits are best arranged in advance – it's safe to visit, but we don't advise wandering elsewhere around Trench Town on your own.
