M R C

Monuments and Relics Commission 

Proclaiming, Preserving, and  protecting Sierra Leone's Monuments and Relics Since 1948. Making the past relevant to the present and future.
Monuments and Relics Commission

The Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) was established in 1948 following the passing by Parliament of the Monuments and Relics Ordinance in 1946. The mandate of the Commission spelled out in the Public Ordinance No. 12 of 1946, is to provide for ‘the preservation of Ancient, historical and natural monuments, relics and other objects of archaeological, ethnographical, historical or other scientific interest with its members appointed by the government.In 1962 this Ordinance was upgraded into an Act, and in 1967 a very important amendment of this Act gave the power to the Monuments and Relics Commission to ‘acquire, maintain and administer the Sierra Leone Museum founded by the Sierra Leone Society’.The Commission has the responsibility of ensuring the preservation, protection and promotion of Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage assets. This is achieved by identifying important aspects of our heritage and culture that can be preserved, shared, enjoyed and studied by present and future generations.

Historic  Sites with short video Background story

Some Historic Sites in Sierra Leone
Saint Charles Church

As the Liberated African Villages grew, it was decided that structures had to be established to cater for the spiritual and educational welfare of the emerging communities. The government agreed to finance the construction of schools and churches. In 1816, the government financed the building of a stone church the Regent, one of the Liberated African Villages. St. Charles, named after Charles MacCarthy, was the first stone church to be built in West Africa.
Perched on top of a steep hill, the church soon became inadequate for the five hundred worshipers it had been planned for due to the expanding population of Regent and the inspirational and influential leadership of Reverend W.A.B Johnson. After the death of the Reverend and subsequent migration by the inhabitants to the city in search of more opportunities, numbers dwindled but the historic significance of the church still remains and it still services congregation in current day.

Bunce Island

Bunce Island is located twenty miles up-river in the huge Rokel River Estuary, which is the largest natural harbor in Africa and the third largest in the world, after the Sydney and Rio de Janiero Harbors.
Read more 

What we do

Recommendation 

MRC is primarily responsible for recommending sites and objects for proclamation as national monuments and relics, which grants such sites and objects special protection under the commission. 

Sites Protection

When a site or object is proclaimed as a monument or relic, it becomes the responsibility of MRC to ensure that the site or object is safeguarded and protected from all conceivable danger of defacing, damage, conversion, or destruction.

Sites Preservation

We preserve, repair, and restore sites or objects of archaeological, ethnographical, historical, natural or other sites of scientific interest, whether natural or man-made that have been proclaimed as monuments and relics.

Research & Exploration

We engage in research and exploration of sites or objects of archaeological, ethnographical, historical, natural or other scientific interests. This also includes acquisition of sites or objects of such value.

Outreach & Communication

MRC believes that “a monument without a story is a mere object.” We ensure that Sierra Leoneans and visitors know and understand the stories behind our monuments and relics, emphasizing their archaeological, ethnographical, historical, cultural, natural, and other scientific value.

Sites & Object Listing

MRC maintains a list of sites and objects whose proclamation as national monuments and relics it considers desirable and conducts necessary research and exploration to recommend such sites and objects for proclamation. Individuals may recommend sites and objects to be placed on this list.

Our Partner's

Who we've worked with