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New Signs at the Grace Bay Campus

Sunday, 05 February 2017 by

The signs for the Turks and Caicos National Museum Development Office in the Village at Grace Bay are up! Thank you to Mr. Bradley Coalbrooke for the design and all of the other steps including the applications for the necessary permissions.

Special thanks to Mr. Kirkley Williams of AND Construction for facilitating the erecting of the signs. To Luckner and the rest of the AND team thank you!  We really appreciate your support, could not have done it without you!

Road sign will now help visitors find us!

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Now He is Part of History ~ Mr Sherlin Williams

Friday, 03 February 2017 by

By Donald H Keith, Chairman
Board of Directors

The first time I met Sherlin it was in the Museum’s Science Building’s workshop.  He was just putting the finishing touches on the 150 year-old clockwork mechanism that made the light turn. I was amazed because it was an intricate piece of equipment for which no plans or instructions were available. He had been working on it for months and through observation and persistence alone, figured it out by himself. It made more sense later when I learned that in a previous life he had a business in the Bahamas repairing high-end cameras! And he didn’t just repair them, he was a pretty good photographer too! In 2010 he showed me computer-manipulated artwork he was producing called “photocraphs”, each composed of scores or even hundreds of different images combined to tell a story.

Each time I made a visit to the Museum on Grand Turk Sherlin was there, always ready to explore newly discovered archaeological sites, conduct research in the Museum’s library, investigate a mystery, or get his hands dirty cleaning and conserving artifacts.

Over the years he authored several articles for the Astrolabe including, “Grand Turk’s Postcard Man,” and “The Time-Travelling Beach Comber”. Mr. Sherlin McDonald Williams died on January 2, 2017. He was an avid supporter of the Museum, a good friend, a native son of the TCI and one of its most ardent and active local historians—but he is not lost to us. He is still here in the Museum. You can hear him in the words he wrote, see photos of him working to preserve other people’s history, and admire the art he created, all preserved in perpetuity here in the Museum. You can read more about Sherlin Williams and his many contributions in the Spring 2017 issue of the Times of the Islands magazine.

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Endangered Archives Project: Preserving our Past

Friday, 03 February 2017 by

The Museum is again proud to host Dr. Kelley Scudder-Temple, Mike Temple and Alex Temple working to finish digitizing 19th century church records from the Anglican and the Methodist Churches. Both churches will receive copies of these records on a USB memory stick so that they are viewable using a laptop. This will help to preserve the original records by having the information easily accessible. The records will also be available on the British Library web site in about one year.

The Museum is working with the Salem Baptist Church to do a sampling of their records to show just how important it is to have the records available without touching the originals. The team will be here through mid-February. We hope we can continue this important work by seeking donations and future grants. There is much more work to be done!

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Eliza Simons Primary School Visit

Wednesday, 01 February 2017 by

The TCNM has been busy with school visits already this year.

On Grand Turk we hosted students from the Faith Preparatory School on Grand Turk, and on February 1 we had 38 students from the Eliza Simons Primary School tour the Museum.

Students from Eliza Simons Primary School learn about Jeremiah Murphy

The students enjoyed a Private tour on both floors of the Turks and Caicos National Museum and had lots of questions for our tour guides. At the end of the visit, the children visited the gift shop and each student was given a pencil from the Museum.

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Precious Treasures International School Visit

Thursday, 26 January 2017 by

On January 26 the Grade 7 class of Precious Treasures International School visited the museum’s development office. A historic visit since that is the school’s first Grade 7 class. Previously the school went up to Grade 6.

The four students were accompanied by history teacher Ms. Camille Wellington and a parent. They were very well prepared, asked lots of very interesting questions and took many notes on their IPads for their project on. All the best Grade 7.

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Osetta Jolly Primary School Grade 6

Friday, 20 January 2017 by

We were pleased to welcome two groups of twenty-five each Grade 6 students from Osetta Jolly School on January 19.The groups were accompanied by Ms. Ms. Andrea Swaby and Ms. Ann Marie Williams respectively. They are preparing for the GSAT examinations this coming May. Success in the GSATs means they will be starting Secondary School or Grade 7 this coming September. I know that they are excited about that. Good luck to you class of Grade 6.

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Tourist Board Director Visits Grace Bay Campus

Tuesday, 10 January 2017 by

Mr. Ramon Andrews, new Director of the Tourist Board, and Mrs. Cheryl Forman, Change Manager, visited the Museum’s Grace Bay Development Office on January 10, 2017.

They joined a group of delighted guests from Grace Bay Club Resort on a tour of the Development Office exhibit and the Caicos Heritage House and garden. Mr. David Bowen, Director of Wellness, Culture and Entertainment at Grace Bay Club Resort, gave a presentation on cultural heritage in the Caicos Heritage House.

Mr. Andrews was especially delighted that the museum had a campus on Providenciales and he is supportive of our efforts to increase our presence here.

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Celebrating 25 Years at the Museum!

Saturday, 03 December 2016 by

A Museum for the Ages: 1991-2016

The Turks & Caicos National Museum hosted a gala 25th Anniversary event on November 26. The guests were not only treated to canapes and champagne but also to a ‘time travel’ experience.

Our Providenciales representative Candianne Williams greeted guests as they started slogging in after a rainy afternoon. To their surprise, and sometimes astonishment, she presented each with a card—their “persona” for the rest of the evening—and the challenge of locating themselves and their place in history among the Museum’s exhibits.  Some cards bore the names of historical figures or personnel associated with the Museum, while others had the names of crew members serving on the Spanish ship of exploration and discovery, La Joya Pequena (“the Little Gem”), the “stage name” we gave to the Molasses Reef Wreck for the evening. See more event photos at our FaceBook page Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation.

Guests arriving for the 25th Anniversary Celebration

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Travel Writers Traveling to the Turks & Caicos

Wednesday, 23 November 2016 by

We had the pleasure of sharing our history and culture with a group of travel writers visiting from London, Sunderland, Manchester, Milan and Bologna accompanied by Marketing Executive UK & Europe Mr. Courtney Robinson.

travel-writers-visiting-grace-bay-1travel-writers-in-chhtravel-writes-in-developement-office

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History & Cultural Heritage Workshop 2

Thursday, 27 October 2016 by

History and Cultural Heritage Workshop for Teachers in preparation for the National History and Cultural Heritage Quiz for Secondary Schools March 7th 2017!

cultural-heritage-quiz-teachers-2

Special thanks to Dwyane Krzanowski and the great team from our Corporate Sponsor FortisTCI!

Thank you facilitators: Mrs. Nikki Jennings – National Museum’s Tour Guide, Mrs. Amy Avenant – Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Dept. of Environment and Coastal Resources, Ms. Angella Freites Cultural Officer Department of Culture, Mr. David Bowen from Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation, Dr. Carlton Mills – Author ‘History of the Turks and Caicos Islands’, Pastor Samuel Goldston Williams and Mr. James Parker, Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation; you did a wonderful job.

cultural-heritage-quiz-teachers-1

Special thanks to the teachers representing secondary schools on all of the islands for your attendance and for the fantastic discussion.

Thanks to the Department of Education especially Mr. Mark Garland and Mr. David Bowen for your support and assistance in organizing this very successful event.

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The Museum is a publicly funded not for profit organization.

It is not a part of the Turks & Caicos Islands Government and receives no regular support from the Government. Only your Support makes it all possible. Become a supporter today — we can’t do it without your help.

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The Colors of the Turks and Caicos Islands

RED was chosen to represent the nation’s capital, Grand Turk. The color is taken from the red/pink fruit found on the national plant, the Turks Head Cactus. They were once found in abundance on Grand Turk before they were removed to accommodate the salt ponds.

WHITE was chosen to represent Salt Cay. The color came from salt. The salt industry was largely responsible for populating the islands of Salt Cay, Grand Turk and South Caicos.

ORANGE was chosen to represent South and East Caicos. The color comes from the Spiny Lobster and fish and reflects the fishing industry in the “Big South.”

TAN was chosen to represent Middle Caicos. The color is taken from the raw material (thatch) that once covered the roofs of the houses. It is also used to make straw hats, baskets and brooms. Middle Caicos is known for the superior quality of native craftwork.

GREEN was chosen to represent North Caicos and Parrot Cay. The color is taken from the fruit trees and other types of trees that flourish in the most fertile of all the islands. North Caicos is also home of Wade’s Green Plantation, the most successful of Caicos Islands cotton plantations.

TURQUOISE was chosen to represent the islands of Providenciales, Pine Cay and West Caicos. The color is taken from the beautiful turquoise waters that surround these islands on which our famous Caicos fishing sloops sail. These turquoise waters also contribute to our newest industry, tourism.

PINK was chosen to represent the beautiful conch shell, flamingoes and the numerous uninhabited cays that make up our chain of islands.

YELLOW represents God’s glory as the sun shining down on all our beautiful islands and cays. The sun also contributes to our newest industry, tourism.

View a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

View Timeline

A Few Artifacts You’ll See at the Museum

Our collections represent the rich historical, cultural and natural heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.

Lucayan Duho

Photo courtesy of Joanna Ostapkowicz. The Duho is one of the rarest artifacts in the museum’s collections. It was used a ceremonial seat for the cacique or chief of the Lucayans, the first inhabitants of these islands.

Fresnel Lens

The Grand Turk Lighthouse was erected in 1852 and was originally designed to burn whale oil and had an Argand reflector lamp. In 1943 the lighthouse was converted to a Fresnel Lens one of these lenses is now on display at the Museum.

Swivel Gun

The Molasses reef wreck, an early Spanish Caravel was equipped with three types of breech-loading swivel guns, one type is shown above. The swivel guns are thought to be anti-personnel weapons placed wherever convenient along the ship’s rail.

Salt Industry Post Card

The museum has diverse collection of early postcards of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Most post cards depict scenes on Grand Turk, the capital and from the salt industry.

Take a Look
TCI Governor

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

H.E. Nigel Dakin CMG

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Museum on Grand Turk surely stands in one of the most majestic settings of any museum, anywhere! Perched on the edge of the Columbus Landfall national park. The 200-year-old building, “Guinep Lodge”, which houses a multitude of artifacts covering everything from the pre–Columbian Indians to the modern age, is a museum in its own right. The west facing building has stood firm and witnessed 200+ years of incredible TCI sunsets and has withstood every major hurricane since before records began.

The National Museum plays a vital role in recovering, preserving, recording and displaying the history of these island for all to see, enjoy and learn from. The museum’s archive is a veritable treasure trove of information, with enough information to fill two museums. With thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts from multiple archeological digs from around the TCI over the last 50 years, un-displayed artifacts from ancient warships, parish records or births, deaths and marriages dating back over 200 years; a veritable gold mine of information, just waiting to be discovered.

The museum is not only an exhibition facility for local history and artifacts, but also undertakes important work in the community with multiple events throughout the year and supports all the TCI schools, has a regular summer camp and kids club for our budding historians and archeologists of tomorrow.  The Grand Turk location includes a “science building” which is a fully fledged restoration facility to stabilize artifacts before they are displayed or stored in the archive. All of this work has been quietly undertaken since the museum was founded 30 years ago. There is also a campus on Provo and there are exciting plans underway to construct a new, multimillion dollar purpose-built facility for the wider enjoyment of our fascinating history. The Governor’s Office is proud to have supported the TCNMF over the years with vital capital projects.

Whether you are a local, or a visitor to our beautiful shores; I encourage you to visit and support the Turks & Caicos National Museum and absorb our colorful and surprisingly diverse local history.


H E Nigel Dakin CMG

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

Hon. Josephine Connnolly

"It is a pleasure as Minister with responsibility of Heritage to welcome you to the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum website. This Gem of an operation is perhaps the most notable establishment in regards to sites of historical interest. Since its establishment in 1991 it has always been an intricate part of our tourism product.

As a supporter, I believe the National Museum’s success depends on all resident and visitors; and as Minister I am committed to strengthening our tourism product through the infusion of authenticity and the increase in awareness of the National Museum in the development of heritage assets for sustainable tourism development.

Visit and explore the Grand Turk and Providenciales locations and experience our heritage and culture through interactive displays and exhibits. Special thanks is extended to the National Museum, a tangible product, a repository for artefacts and documents, providing a true island experience.".

Hon. Josephine Connnolly
Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

"My interest in history and research goes back to my years as a student at the then Grand Turk Secondary School, where my teacher and later mentor, the late Helena Jones Robinson instilled a curiosity in me to appreciate context.  At that time, not fully appreciating the impact that curiosity would have on me, I sought only to please my teacher.

Pursuing tertiary education at various institutions, in various countries and at various levels, my initial foundation of inquiry was further stimulated.  Libraries and museums would form a very important part of my education, specifically during my studies in Jamaica, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Returning home after my studies abroad, my first visit to the Museum so captivated me that I began to tell all persons, visitors and islanders alike, that a visit to the museum was a MUST! The quaintness, yet thorough organization and presentation of artifacts of various kinds avowed me.

I found tremendous joy in taking my TCI Studies students to the Museum, standing back and listening to their expressions of excitement and curiosity as the curators and assistants would walk them through the various displays and presentations.

The Jamaican expression “likkle but tallawah” (small but strong) aptly fits our Museum.  The significance of this institution to our history and culture cannot be over stressed.

Welcome to The Museum.  A combination of history, culture and enchantment awaits you."

Dr. Hubert A. Fulford

President of Turks and Caicos Islands Community College

Historic Photo Gallery of the Turks and Caicos Islands

All images and the design of this Web site are protected under federal copyright laws. Any downloading, duplication or reproduction of any part of this Web site by any method whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation is strictly prohibited. Photos and/or usage rights are available for purchase please contact us for details.

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Locations

Guinep House, Front Street

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2160
From the US (786) 220-1159
Hours Vary - See our schedule under Locations

The Village at Grace Bay

Development Office and Caicos Heritage House
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies (BWI)
Tel (01 649) 247-2161
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

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