National Museum of haiti - Port Au Prince - TravBuddy

In Port au Prince Haiti right next door to the National Palace is the National Museum of Haiti. Within its walls you will find the history of the nation of Haiti from the pre-columbian times up till the 1940s. They have what they claim to be the anchor of Columbus's ship the Santa Maria which crashed just off the north end of the Island Christmas eve of 1492. Being on ship short they left some men behind who founded the colony La Navidad which was destroyed by the time Columbus came back the following year. Shortly there after the native americans were exterminated. The nation of Haiti was under French Colonial rule for a while and they also have several artifacts from that era. The french colonial was overthrown by their by their slaves in the early 1800's making Haiti the second independant nation in North America and the first Black Republic. The history in the museum conveniently stops in the 1940s which happens to coincide with when dictators overtook the country. They also have a wonderful collection of art there by native artists. If you find yourself in Port au Prince it is well worth your time to go to this museum.