The National Collection
About the Collection
The National Museum’s Collection holds over 10,000 objects that celebrate Cayman’s natural, cultural, and artistic heritage.
It all began with a foundational acquisition of around 1,500 items from the collection of Ira Thompson, along with additions from his estate. This diverse and eclectic core has since grown exponentially since the Museum opened its doors in 1990.
Today, the collection spans a fascinating range of items—from canoes and model boats to clothing and postage stamps, from traditional baskets, hats, and fans to stone sculptures, and even cannonballs and hundreds of artefacts recovered from archaeological sites. Our natural history collection brings to life the unique flora and fauna of both land and marine environments surrounding the islands. The art collection features paintings and prints—oils, acrylics, watercolors, and mixed media—most of which depict Caymanian subjects and stories.
Together, the Museum’s National Collection embodies the spirit of the Cayman Islands, offering a tangible and vivid story of its people, culture, and heritage.
Ira Thompson Collection
Known as the Father of Museums in the Cayman Islands, Ira Thompson began collecting “odds and ends” in the 1930s. A passionate hobbyist, avid birdwatcher, and one of Grand Cayman’s earliest taxi drivers, he traveled extensively across the island, gathering a unique and diverse array of treasures.
By 1958, Ira’s collection had grown so extensive that he proudly opened the Kiemanos Museum to share his curiosities with locals and visitors alike. For many years, his museum was one of the island’s most cherished attractions.
His collection included manuscripts, prints, timepieces, musical instruments, fossils, animal specimens, household utensils, and many tools from a bygone era — each piece telling a story of Cayman’s rich heritage.
Though Ira eventually offered his collection for sale, it wasn’t until 1979 that the Cayman Islands Government acquired it, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, the Ira Thompson Collection remains the heart of the National Museum’s collection and a vital link to Cayman’s cultural history.
Explore our collections.
Cultural History Collection
Natural History Collection
Art Collection