Mrs. Gracita Christopher, Personal Representative for the Estate of James Bryan; Mr. Tristan Christopher; Mrs. Stacey Liburd,
Director of Tourism, ATB
The Valley, Anguilla, March 6, 2023: The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with the Estate of James Carty, also known as James Bryan (Dec) for the beautification of the renowned Arch located in West End, Anguilla. The ATB will undertake a series of enhancements to this iconic tourist attraction, with the consent of Mrs. Gracita Christopher, the Personal Representative acting on behalf of the family estate.
“As we seek to develop our tourism product, in particular our heritage and culture pillar, projects such as this are extremely significant,” said Mr. Kenroy Herbert, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board. “Our visitors are seeking new and immersive experiences, and this beautiful site with its unique history allows us the opportunity to share our story in an authentic way and invite our visitors to learn more about us as a people.”
Located on the Bryan’s estate in West End, this historic site was originally known as “The Church Door.” However, over the years erosion gradually destroyed the original structure, opening the existing arch that is there now. The Arch, as it is now affectionately known, is still “The Church Door” to the Bryan’s Family and the entire village of West End.
“Our goal at the ATB is to elevate our brand offerings by creating distinctive experiences for our visitors to enjoy and create memories with family, friends, and loved ones,” stated Mrs. Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism. “We know that our visitors have always been intrigued by the unique formation of this iconic site, so we are extremely pleased that we will now be able to share the backstory and the history of the site in a safe and accessible manner.”
The Arch is one of the most desirable locations for photographers, and the ATB will both facilitate access and ensure that it is photographed in the best light. The existing barricade will be removed and replaced with a structurally sound guardrail. The ATB will also erect directional signage navigating visitors to the Arch and display signage sharing the history as told by the Bryan family as well as precautionary signs, and provide seating for those who want to take a minute to bask in the beauty of the views around the site.
“The Arch is a landmark attraction, one of the most popular on the island,” said Mrs. Keri Rogers, Manager, Destination Experience at the ATB. “Enhancing the visitor experience at the site has been a major priority for the Destination Experience Unit and we are delighted that the project is now coming to fruition, to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.”
