A fundraising campaign called “Project Buxton Restore: Save the Buxton Building” was formally launched by The Mico Foundation this Wednesday, May 21. The campaign aims to restore the 135-year-old Buxton Building at The Mico University College’s Marescaux Road campus. The Foundation intends to raise up to $2 Million USD, in order to preserve The Mico’s iconic Jamaican structure that is a symbol of educational excellence, cultural heritage, and community engagement.

The highlight of the launch was the guest speaker’s inspiring keynote address. The Honourable Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports, emphasized the building’s importance as a font of education policy with profound historical and cultural significance. 

Delivering the keynote address, Minister Grange described the Buxton Building as “an icon of hope and a beacon of inspiration”, highlighting its role in shaping Jamaica’s educational and leadership landscape since its construction in 1890. It is named after Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, the abolitionist who founded The Mico schools in 1836 to educate newly freed slaves, and it has been a cornerstone of The Mico’s mission to shape educators across Jamaica and the Caribbean 

The Jamaican-Georgian building now faces deterioration, and its urgent restoration will safeguard its structural integrity and historical significance for future generations.

A recent pre-launch breakfast appeal held at the Terra Nova Hotel set the stage for the restoration campaign, with four distinguished Miconians — Dr. Glen Christian, Dr. Sylvester Tulloch, Alfred Thomas and Professor Neville Ying — opening the donations with a cumulative pledge of $17.1 million JMD. At the breakfast and at Wednesday’s launch, Professor Ying shared poignant recollections highlighting the building’s historical resonance and the notable Jamaicans who once resided there, to reinforce its enduring legacy.

The restoration will include replacing the 40,000-square-foot wooden shingled roof with durable synthetic shingles approved by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, refurbishing deteriorating internal structures such as ceilings, flooring, and the Georgian façades, and repainting the 29,000-square-foot exterior and interior walls in their original colors. Some anticipated funding sources comprise the Lady Mico Trust, alumni and public contributions, and sponsorships.

Individuals, corporations, and organizations have been invited to join this vital effort, with donations recognized through sponsorship categories offering naming rights, commemorative plaques, and inclusion in college publications. The Mico University College expects information about all contributors to be maintained in a special ‘donor commemoration book’ that will be permanently displayed in the refurbished Buxton building. 

The Mico Foundation is appealing for donations to be made via their website at, www.micofoundationja.org/donate, or to MICO HERITAGE ENTERPRISE (BNS, New Kingston, AC# 10006017, Swift Code: NOSCJMKN, Transit # 50575). Cheques can be made payable to the Mico University Foundation, 2717 Nettle Lane, Buford, GA 30519, USA. Online options include www.mucfa.org or PayPal @ MUCFA (ID: ttdawn06@gmail.com). Interested persons may also contact The Mico Foundation at 876-665-7788 or micofoundation@yahoo.com.