Times of the Islands Summer 2015

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum matters
also loaned, which Mrs. Brown said her father had recovered
from shipwrecks.
We will be showcasing some of these pieces in our
19th-century kitchen, office, and Jeremiah Murphy exhibits.
Thanks to Shirley, we now have authentic 19th century
furniture in our exhibits! a
Story & Photos By Pat Saxton
MUSEUM ACTIVITIES ON PROVIDENCIALES
Sapodilla Hill
The newly renovated Providenciales International Airport
The Museum’s recycled sign is now a countertop for the shop.
Refreshing the gift shop
Donna and Martin Seim also donated the funds necessary
to replace the National Museum’s faded and
peeling signs facing Front Street. In adherence to our
“recycle and reuse” campaign, the old signs now have
new uses. One became the top of the cash drawer in the
gift shop and the other one will “get legs” and become
a table on the strengthened balcony where visitors can
sit and write their post cards.
Many hands contributed to stringing hundreds of
beads to make a curtain that now separates the shop
office from the sales area. Nikki Jennings and Cecile
Wennick started the project and were soon accompanied
by Lisa Wandres, Catherine Foley, Nelda Gervan,
Jill Beckingham, Donna Seim, and Joan Garneau. Thanks
to those who donated the beads: Chris Davies-James,
Hazel Thompson, Lisa Wandres, Cecile, and Nikki. With
the help of our other great volunteer Mitchell Loeb, the
curtain is hung and adorning the shop. a
Collection addition
Mrs. Shirley Brown, a longtime TCNM supporter, asked
us if the Museum would accept on loan some of her
antique family furniture. Without hesitation I went to
see what treasures she had on hand! Most of the fur-
Volunteers hang the gift shop’s new beaded curtain.
niture belonged to her grandmother, Mrs. Amie Louise
(Morgan) Tatem, including two glass fruit bowls given
to her as a wedding present from her husband W. R.
Tatem. Those will go on display in the Guinep House’s old
kitchen. We also now have a lovely rocking chair, a couple
of cane chairs, and a solid mahogany hand-made recliner,
compete with iron works made by the local blacksmith.
It also has a foot rest, and can recline to make a bed.
Some beautiful silver spoons and serving utensils were
Mrs. Shirley Brown is shown here with a portrait of her grandmother,
Mrs. Amie Louise (Morgan) Tatem.
was reopened on December 29, 2014 and the casts of
stones from Sapodilla Hill once again grace the walls in
the departure ticketing area.
While I was mounting the display, one young lady
came up to find out what these things were and why they
were being hung on the wall. When I explained to her
their significance, she was visibly awestruck, and with
good reason, because she was looking at history carved
in stone. The Museum, through the generosity and support
of members of the community from far and wide,
has been able to preserve this history. Now as our visitors
join the lines while waiting for their flights, they can gaze
on the inscriptions made by those who once lived in or
visited the Turks & Caicos centuries ago while waiting for
transportation by sea. a
School visits
As part of TCI’s annual Education Week, Mrs. Robinson,
Grade Six teacher at the Oseta Jolly Primary School,
brought her class to visit the Museum’s Development
Office in Grace Bay. Mrs. Robinson was delighted to continue
her tradition of helping her class learn the history
of the Islands at the museum. When she taught at the
Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk she organized
a similar field trip every year.
The children were fascinated with what they learnt.
Kumberlyn Jeanty, in his heartfelt vote of thanks on
behalf of his class, expressed how happy he was to learn
so much history in one morning. As he was speaking, the
other students nodded and echoed his sentiments. They
look forward having a National Museum on Providenciales
Dr. Donald Keith also had the pleasure of speaking
with a group of Grade Six students and teachers from
the Ianthe Pratt and Richmond Hill Primary Schools,
Dr. Keith addresses a student from Precious Treasures Primary
School.
Holy Family Academy, and Precious Treasures Primary
School at the Museum’s office in the Village at Grace
Bay. He also met with students from Champions for
Christ International School of Excellence and The
International School of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
The students all engaged in lively discussion with
Dr. Keith as he shared his knowledge of the history of
the Islands and outlined plans for the National Museum
in Providenciales. They asked many questions about
the stories we hope to develop in the new museum and
also about his work as a marine archaeologist on the
Molasses Reef and Trouvadore shipwreck sites. They
listened in absolute silence, hanging on to every word
as he recounted his experiences. From the sound of it,
I would say that we have at least one future underwater
archaeologist and a few more with definite interest in
the museum field! a
Help for the Heritage House
The Museum’s Caicos Heritage House is a reproduction
of a typical 19th-century Caicos Islands homestead. Our
ambition is to create a “living history” exhibit of what
life was like in the Turks & Caicos Islands for most of
the last 200 years. We are appealing to school groups,
civic organizations, and individuals to get involved and
participate in this project. We are looking for donations
of authentic tools and household items, for volunteers
to help us set it up properly, and for individuals willing
to let us record your stories and reminiscences of the
“olden days.” To help, contact info@tcmuseum.org or
call (649) 247-2161. a
Story & Photos By Candianne Williams
64 www.timespub.tc Times of the Islands Summer 2015 65