Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre

Historical Background and Architectural Characteristics

Blocks S61 and S62 of the Whitfield Barracks

Blocks S61 and S62 in Kowloon Park are Grade III historical buildings constructed in circa 1910 as part of the Whitfield Barracks. They are a pair of identical two storied colonial military barrack blocks with pitched Chinese tile roofs with tar finish and verandahs with colonnades on the elevations. It housed the former Hong Kong Museum of History from 1983 to 1998 before the completion of the present Hong Kong Museum History at Chatham Road South. An extension block linking the two historical barracks was constructed in the 1980's to provide more space for museum facilities.

Latest Development

Being Grade III historical buildings, the premises are considered most appropriate to be reused as a centre for heritage education. As such, since the vacation of the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Antiquities and Monuments Office has been actively planning for the setting up of the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre at the premises. It is planned that a permanent exhibition on the archaeological and built heritage of Hong Kong will be staged in the Centre. The Centre also provides a permanent house for the Antiquities and Monuments Office for the organization of regular education and extension activities to promote public understanding of the local heritage and awareness of its preservation. A Reference Library archiving monuments records as well as research files and reports of the Office will also be set up in the Centre to facilitate studies on monuments and heritage-related subjects by local and overseas students, scholars and researchers.

At present, refurbishment works are in full swing and the Centre is expected to be partially opened by October 2005.