Fort-Liberté community leads $10M effort to restore historic Haitian fort and boost tourism

FORT-LIBERTE—A multimillion-dollar restoration project is underway to revive Fort Pointe de la Roche, a centuries-old coastal fortress in northeast Haiti once used as a frontline defense during the Haitian Revolution. Backed by a small portion of funding from the Haitian government, the initiative is being driven by local residents seeking to boost tourism and economic development in the region.

Known locally as Fort Dauphin, the long-neglected site—with its crumbling stone walls and overgrown grounds—is being repositioned as a symbol of national resilience and a potential cultural landmark. The estimated $10 million project aims to stabilize the fort’s aging structure and transform the area into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub, with plans to rebuild foundational walls, add a rear museum, construct an accessibility ramp, and create an open-air plaza for community events

“Restoring the Fort shortly would have a positive impact on tourism in the Nord-Est region and its surrounding areas,” said Architect Neat Achilles, the Regional Director of ISPAN.

Residents initiated the push for restoration and later the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN) joined to help formalize the effort.  Now, residents, local authorities, and ISPAN are working together to revive the site and promote Haitian heritage through tourism.

Built-in the 18th century to protect the then-French city of Fort Dauphin from maritime threats, particularly from the Spanish, the Fort, later played a pivotal role in the revolution that led to Haiti’s independence. The walls of this fortress witnessed fierce battles and decisive moments that shaped Haiti’s history. But after years of decay, local citizens have rallied to restore the historic site and reclaim its legacy.

“Our ancestors worked to build it; it witnessed the first battles for our independence. Seeing that it was falling into ruin, we mobilized the community to ask [officials] of the state to restore it,” said Miola Charles Pierre, a member of the city community. 

After the country’s independence, the city was renamed Fort-Liberté, a symbol of freedom, while the fort remained a lasting sign of Haitian resistance. Today, it stands in disrepair—its potential dimmed by years of neglect. But the restoration project offers a renewed vision: to transform the fort into a vibrant cultural site and tourism destination.

A $10 million dream project, a different reality

While community enthusiasm remains high, funding remains a major hurdle ISPAN regional Director said. So far, only 1.9 million gourdes approximately USD $14,500  have been allocated from the state’s budget—far short of the estimated USD 10 million needed.

“Local and national authorities, cultural organizations, educational institutions, and the Haitian diaspora will have to come together to raise the necessary funds,” said Pierre. Pierre has reached out to the Haitian diaspora in the United States.

Promotional efforts are also part of the plan. ISPAN aims to partner with Haiti’s tourism office and cultural institutions to market the site.

“The tourism office and other institutions working in the field will play a key role in promoting the Fort,” said Neat.

Organizing concerts, art shows, theater, and festivals at the site will help energize the space and attract broader audiences, all while celebrating Haitian culture.

“With the participation of every daughter and son of Fort-Liberté, the restoration of the Fort will not only be a victory for tourism but also a way to strengthen Haiti’s cultural identity by preserving its history and transmitting its values and traditions to future generations,” Pierre said.

“Within two to five years, the Fort’s restoration efforts could bear fruit, with an increasing number of tourists visiting the site. Once restored, the fort could become a symbol of national pride and a rallying point for Haitians and visitors from around the world,” said Neat.

The restoration of Fort de la Pointe de la Roche is more than a preservation project—it’s a movement to reconnect with history, empower the local economy, and reimagine Fort Liberté as a beacon of cultural resilience.

Blueprint for the Project Details and Restoration Stages

Engineers began by assessing the site to determine the most critical damage and outline a careful plan for restoration. This groundwork informed a phased plan tailored to preserve the fort’s original architecture while adapting it for modern cultural use

“We have carried out studies on the condition of the fort, which allowed us to make a good plan for an almost similar restoration,” said ISPAN regional director Neat.

The restoration plan calls for reinforcing deteriorated walls, rebuilding foundational supports. To maximize community benefit, the site will be reimagined as a two-part public space— an open plaza for  cultural events at the front and a dedicated museum space in the rear that honors the site’s revolutionary legacy.

 “In front, there will be a part reserved for cultural activities where any activity can be carried out, and behind will be the historical part which will have a museum,” said Neat.

Expected tourism boost, jobs, and local business revival

Residents expect the fort’s restoration to change the tourism landscape of Fort Liberté. The initiative’s organizers envision the site as a major draw for both local and international visitors—comparable, they say, to how Bob Marley’s home in Jamaica attracts fans from across the globe.

“It was in this space that our ancestors wrote the first act of the country’s independence,” said Neat, highlighting the fort’s historical weight.

Beyond preserving history and being a future tourism gem, the project also has the potential to create local jobs. Restoration work employs masons, carpenters, and other tradespeople from the area, once completed, the site will need tour guides, reception staff, and event coordinators.

“Although this is voluntary work until the fort is restored, the committee reserves 15% of the income from guided tours for the seven of us who manage the space,” said Luckson Israel, one of the current site caretakers.

As visitors return, nearby restaurants, guesthouses, and artisans are also expected to benefit, giving a boost to the region’s economy.

“Not everyone indeed earns money for the work done at the fort, but there are masons who receive a little money every weekend. This, in turn, helps their families and the community,” added Israel.

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