The Money Museum was launched in December 2004 and officially opened its doors to the public in February 2005 on the ground floor of the Central Bank. From 2005 until 2014, the Museum operated a robust schedule of school and other group tours, as well as many community outreach programmes. The Museum was managed by the staff of the then Corporate Communications department, who developed engaging and resourceful programmes that sought to deepen the Museum’s role as an alternative space of education and learning. There were regular and repeat school visits monthly and the Museum was in such high demand, that the Corporate Communications department often sought volunteers from other departments to assist in conducting museum tours and other activities.

In 2014, after 10 years in operation, and with that year also coinciding with the Bank’s 50th Anniversary, it was decided that the Museum required redesign and rebranding. This project aimed to keep the museum relevant as well as up-to-date with new trends in museum design, interactivity and technology. After a number of years of planning, and a few hurdles along the way, the new, rebranded, Central Bank Museum was reopened to the public on January 15, 2019. The vision for the “new” museum was the establishment of a space that encourages curiosity and embraces discovery. With the new open plan layout, visitors are able to choose how and when they want to view and interact with the permanent exhibits. Permanent exhibits include a history of early trade and currency and the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar from 1964 to present. There are exhibits that ask the question “What is money?” and others that deal with the entire process of production—from design to destruction. The Central Bank Museum has moved away from a predominantly numismatic focus, to also highlight the Bank’s Art Collection which has within its holdings some of the most important and iconic works of art by local artists, in any public or private collection on the island. The Bank’s art can be found throughout the building on the various floors and works from the collection are regularly exhibited in the Museum’s foyer.

From the date of its reopening in early 2019, to its closure in March 2020 due to the ongoing global pandemic, the Museum saw thousands of visitors pass through its doors. After over two years of closure, the Museum reopened its doors again on May 18, 2022—International Museum Day. The Museum remains committed to sharing its collections with the public, through its permanent and temporary exhibitions, special activities and curated experiences. As we continue to adapt to the global situation many of the Museum’s offerings are available online and digitally.

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