P.A. Benjamin Manufacturing Co. celebrates 145 years – and its Garvey connections

It’s funny how Jamaican history and culture are so tightly interwoven, especially perhaps in the City of Kingston – what we now call “downtown” – which became the island’s centre of commerce and culture. Founded in 1692 after the Port Royal earthquake, Kingston did not become Jamaica’s “official” capital until 1872 (before that, it was Spanish Town) after years of lobbying by its merchants, and its port began to thrive. (Kingston is my city).

I have always been rather fascinated by P.A. Benjamins products. They make this wonderful Jamaican must-have called Rubbing Alcohol (everyone has a bottle in their bathroom cabinet), Calamine Lotion, Vanilla Extract and lots of other interesting items, edible and otherwise.

The firm has a history going back 145 years, and they also had a very famous employee: our first National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey. I thought I must share this wonderful celebration with you. I wish I had been able to attend the event! I really love the idea of the billboards, and wish that we could see more Garvey billboards across the island…

P.A. Benjamin Launches its 145th Anniversary Celebration and Honours the Legacy of Garvey

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, March 8, 2024: P.A. Benjamin Manufacturing Company Limited is this year celebrating its 145^th Anniversary and launched on Friday (March 8), the start of our year-long celebration project. 

PA Benjamin has enjoyed the trust of Jamaicans both locally and internationally, through its consistent supply of quality Jamaican products for over a century and intends to commission a series of activities in the upcoming months, geared towards engaging and captivating its customers.

(left to right) Distinguished Garvey Scholar from the Marcus Garvey Institute on Human Development, Professor Rupert Lewis receives framed memorabilia of the billboards that was erected in honour of the late hero, from Company Chairman Mr Errol Powell (centre), and Director of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, Dr Kirt Henry. (Photo: Liberty Hall)

Of its earlier days, company chairman Mr. Errol Powell, shared at the launch event:

“In the late 19th century, Perceval Austin Benjamin, a true Jamaican visionary, recognized the intrinsic value of our nation’s products and culture. He embarked on a pioneering journey by establishing the Jamaica Healing Oil Factory, now known today as P.A. Benjamin. He introduced the first product, Jamaican Healing Oil, that has stood the test of time and is proudly retailed by P.A Benjamin to this very day.”

Mr. Errol Powell, Chairman, P.A. Benjamin Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Resilience

“Our journey has not been without challenges, as exemplified by the fire and earthquake that struck both our beloved nation and P.A Benjamin in 1907,” Powell reflected.

“True to the spirit of resilience however, we rose from the ashes and reconstructed a new state of the art factory – a testament to P.A. Benjamin’s unwavering commitment to innovation and progress,” he shared.

Powell added that P.A. Benjamin’s legacy is not merely one of endurance but of continuous evolution. These values he posits, continue to be evident by the consistent generation of some 15-20 innovative ideas in P.A. Benjamin pipeline, ensuring sustained growth.

Acting Director of Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey, Ms Faith Anderson (left) receives framed memorabilia of the billboards that was erected in Garvey’s honour, from Company Chairman Mr Errol Powell (centre), and Director of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, Dr Kirt Henry. (Photo: Liberty Hall)

Meanwhile, Dr Kirt Henry, Director of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, who brought remarks on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports in her absence, sought to provide a close assessment of the journey of P.A Benjamin, whose emergence in 1879, reclaimed and honed some of the cultural practices of Jamaica, which just 41 years earlier, were threatened by enslavement and racism.

“P.A. Benjamin stepped stridently 145 years ago in the year 1879 – 41 years after full emancipation, 41 years after close to 400 years of enslavement and racist colonial practices, bent on devaluing and undermining the very culture, spirit, and self-worth of the Jamaican people,” Dr Henry shared.

“That a company would not only emerge, but also determine to manufacture products aligned with the history, culture, and pharmaceutical heritage of the Jamaican people is no small achievement.”

PA Benjamin board member Mr Patrick Scott, and chairman Mr Errol Powell, pause for a quick photo-op with Prof Rupert Lewis, from the Marcus Garvey Institute on Human Development. (Photo: Liberty Hall)

Honouring a Hero

The launch event, held at Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey, celebrated the life of Jamaica’s First National Hero and past employee at P.A. Benjamin, The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, whose impact Mr Powell described as extraordinary.

“The Right Excellent Marcus Garvey, a National Hero, worked with us from 1905 to 1909, becoming the first Afro-Jamaican foreman,” Powell shared. 

Powell added that Garvey’s penchant for activism was evident and undeniable from his various grassroots encounters while at Benjamin – an ardency that would later become the fuel of his global legacy.

In recognition of the late hero’s contribution to P.A. Benjamin, billboards have been erected on Marcus Garvey Drive, and at the Seaview Avenue and Lady Musgrave Road intersection in Kingston. Framed memorabilia of the billboards were handed over to the Marcus Garvey Institute on Human Development and Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey’s Museum.  

While he was not able to physically attend the occasion, Garvey’s son Dr Julius Garvey expressed his appreciation in writing, for the continued recognition and celebration of his father’s legacy.

The keynote message was delivered by Dr Kirt Henry, Director of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica, on behalf of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, the Hon Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, in her absence.