ðɪ aɪdˈiə ʌv ɪstˈæblɪʃɪŋ ɐ nˈæʃənəl kˈʌltʃɚɹəl sˈɛntɚ kæn biː tɹˈeɪst bˈæk tə nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti wˈʌn wɛn ɐ faʊndˈeɪʃən stˈoʊn wʌz lˈeɪd ɔnðə sˈaɪt ðæt nˈaʊ hˈaʊzᵻz ðə bˈæŋk ʌv ɡaɪˈɑːnə bˈɪldɪŋ.
The idea of establishing a National Cultural Centre can be traced back to 1951 when a foundation stone was laid on the site that now houses the Bank of Guyana building.