West Indies Federal Archives Centre WIFAC University of the West Indies, Cave Hill

History and Founding

The West Indies Federal Archives Centre (WIFAC) was officially opened on 25 October 2004 by the then Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Honourable Owen Seymour Arthur, and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. It is located in the Alistair McIntyre Building on the Cave Hill Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados. WIFAC serves as both the campus archives and the official repository for the records of the West Indies Federation (1958–1962).

Collections and Holdings

The centre's primary fonds is the Federal Archives Fonds, spanning the period 1947–1966, which documents the entire body of records of the West Indies Federation including pre-Federal records (1945–1958) and post-Federal records (1962–1966). The collection documents the political union of ten Anglophone West Indian territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The fonds contains paper files, publications, photographs, audio-visual film footage, original Federal Flags, the Governor General Flags, Oath Books, Mace of the Federal Parliament, maps, plans, and the Seal of the West Indies.

In addition, the archives manages the records of the British West Indian Airlines and holds personal papers of significant Caribbean figures including the Nita Barrow Collection. The Federal Archives Fonds was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, recognizing its global documentary significance.

Notable Materials Related to Journalism/Media

The archives holds photographic records of the West Indies Federation, including images that are not found anywhere else, making it the sole repository for visual documentation of this important chapter in Caribbean decolonization history.

Access and Usage

Researchers wishing to access archival materials should contact the archives in advance. Reproduction of materials requires completion of a Copyright Declaration Form. The archive uses WinGencat Archives software for management of its collections.