Three groups of Grade two students totaling 73 students, accompanied by their teachers, visited from Ianthe Pratt Primary School.  A group of Grade 4 student visiting from Osetta Jolly Primary school made for a busy week. They all choose to visit the Caicos Heritage House and Garden and the Museum’s Development Office as an Education Week Activity.

Ms. Fabienne Forbes and Grade 2 class from Ianthe Pratt Elementary School.

Two of their teachers, Ms. Aliathe Michel and Ms. Fabienne Forbes worked at the museum in Grand Turk before they moved to Providenciales and became teachers. So, once they heard that the museum had a presence in Providenciales they put taking their students to visit at the top of their list. Having had the experience of working in the museum they are passionate about instilling in their students the importance of a knowledge of and appreciation for their history and cultural heritage.

Ms. Alianthe Michel and grade 2 class from Ianthe Pratt Elementary School.

A group of Grade 4 students from Osetta Jolly Primary School with their teacher Ms Vinette Forbes particularly liked the Caicos Heritage House.

Ms Vinette Forbes and Grade 4 students from Osetta Jolly Primary School inside the Caicos Heritage House

Shining Stars Preparatory School is one of the schools whose students visited the Museum’s Development Office during Education week, which is observed during the first week of March. This visit was a little different because they were doing early career exploration under the theme “Preparing Today for Tomorrow”.

Don Stark of TCI Reef Fund and Candianne Williams , museum representative made a presentation to them that spanned the spectrum of careers on the land and sea that work together to create the museum experience. The students were very engaged throughout the visit and asked many questions.

One such interesting question was directed to Don, the student wanted to know if he had seen any mermaids as an underwater videographer. I think I can safely say that we have budding, archaeologist, underwater videographers, artists who want to specialize in museum design and layout, museum managers and genealogists to name a few. We were delighted to spend some time with the students on their career exploration.

L-R: Elishah Sidnord, Tyrese Lewis, Solomon Dormeus, Arvana Lucsama, coach Ms. Anetra Musgrove
2nd Row: Ludwina Fulford, Pat Saxton

Congratulations to Aravna Lucsama, Elishah Sidnord, Solomon Dormeus and their coach Ms. Anetra Musgrove, on winning the Turks and Caicos National Museum’s first annual History and Cultural Heritage Quiz.

Ms. Rachel Harvey served as quiz moderator.

The event final round was held on March 1^st during Education Week at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex. It was a very exciting final between Maranatha High School and Clement Howell High School, the two schools scoring the highest points in the preliminary round, which was also closely contested by the participating six secondary schools. All of the teams represented their schools very well and the great effort that was put into preparing for the quiz was evident and a great source of encouragement for all of the partners involved in the organizing of this quiz.

L-R: David Bowen, Pat Saxton and Ludwina Fulford serving as judges.

The Quiz was one of the events held by the museum to mark its twenty-fifth anniversary and was done in collaboration with the Department of Education.  The prize for the winning team and their coach is a trip to Cap Haitien where they will visit the Citadelle which is a UNESCO protected world heritage site. The team and coach from Clement Howell High School are excitedly planning their trip.

We would like to thank our very dedicated quiz team for doing a wonderful job at both the preliminary and final round of the quiz; Apostle Claudette Basden for opening the events with prayer, Ms. Rachel Harvey for being a wonderful moderator, Ms. Ludwina Fulford, Mr. Edgar Howell, Mrs. Patricia Saxton for their inspirational and encouraging words as well as judging the events. We would also like to thank Mr. Alexander R. McLeod Environmental Officer in the Department Environment & Maritime Affairs; Mr. David Bowen-Education Officer responsible for Public and Private Secondary Schools, Mr. Gordon Burton – Accountant and President of the Kiwaniis Club for performing the unenviable tasks of judging the events.

Don Stark (TCI Reef Fund) and Talisha Simons (Fortis) present certificate to Elishah Sidnord, representing the Clement High School team.

Special thanks to Mr. Mark Garland, Deputy Director of Education and Mr. David Bowen,  Education Officer responsible for all of the private and public secondary schools for the guidance, assistance and support given to Mrs. Candianne Williams of the National Museum throughout the process of taking the idea of the quiz to a successful reality. We say thank you to our partners Ms. Amy Avenant – Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Dept. of Environmental & Maritime Affairs (DEMA), Ms. Angela Freites, Cultural Officer, Department of Culture and Mr. David Bowen, Director of Wellness, Culture and Entertainment, and Grace Bay Resorts  supported by Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation for working along with Mrs. Patricia Saxton and Mrs. Nikki Jennings of the National Museum to facilitate the workshop for teachers, provide study materials and contribute questions for the quiz.

Our sponsors; Fortis TCI, Caicu Naniki Tours and Marco Travel have been instrumental in making this event a success and to them we say a big thank you.

On Friday March 4, 2016 the teachers from the Mills Institute in Providenciales came to visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum on Grand Turk. Twenty-two teachers were guided through the Museum by Fred Glinton, then spent some time in the gift shop. The teachers were here for “Teachers Appreciation Day” as part of Education week.

Fred Glinton (center) provides information about the Molasses Reef Wreck exhibit to Mills Institute teachers.

By Pat Saxton
Director

On January 13, 2016 the Museum held an invitation only exhibit preview for our members, volunteers and supporters.

Guests mingle under the stars in anticipation of the grand opening.

HE Governor Peter Beckingham did the honor of cutting the ribbon to our newest exhibit: 19-20th Century Office. Governor Beckingham’s office donated the funding for the exhibit and the revitalization of the John Glenn and Military Base exhibits.

HE Governor Beckingham (left) cuts the ribbon while Directior Pat Saxton (right) holds it steady.

After a good look at the new exhibits and lively conversation over the old photos, we congregated on the outside back deck. A slide show entertained the guests while we all munched on delicious appetizers.

The new ‘office’ exhibit. Come to the museum to see all of our new exhibits.

A special shout out to volunteers; Mitchell Loeb, Catherine Foley, Jack and Janet Sheery, Hilary Day, Claudia and Edger, and of course our staff: Candianne, Fred, Nikki and Cecile! Special events like this are just one more reason to become a member and supporter.

By Candianne Williams
Grace Bay Development Office

The year 2015 is almost at an end and the holiday season is upon us. To end the year these two school groups went on a field trip that included the Museum’s Development Office in the Village at Grace Bay.

Osetta Jolly Primary School’s Grade 6 class and their teacher Mrs. Robinson visited us. We were also visited by grades one through three of the Shining Stars Primary School accompanied by Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Jackson, Ms. Campbell and Ms. Gibson.

Osetta Jolly Grade 6 Students visit Museum and tour the Caicos Heritage House. Photo by Candianne Williams

The students were very intelligent and engaging and I enjoyed interacting with them. I also have to compliment the teachers for doing an excellent job as was evident from the students’ questions and responses to the questions that were posed to them.

Both groups enjoyed their visit and remarked that they found the Development Office fascinating, informative and interesting. We wish you all Happy Holidays and the very best for the coming year.

By Candianne Williams
Museum Development Office
The Village at Grace Bay

One of the events planned to celebrate the Turks and Caicos National Museum’s 25th Anniversary is the launch of the first annual National Museum Quiz for secondary school students. The quiz semifinals will be held on February 25th 2016 and the finals on March 3rd 2016 during Education Week.

On Wednesday 25th November a quiz preparation workshop for the secondary school history teachers was held at the Museum’s Development Office in the Village at Grace Bay, Providenciales in conjunction with the Department of Education. These teachers will be the coaches for the teams for the Quiz.

The museum’s outdoor exhibit, the Caicos Heritage House and Garden in the Village in Grace Bay, is the inspiration for the quiz. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) definition of cultural heritage as tangible, intangible and natural heritage will be used to inform the scope of the quiz.

Mr Ben Stubenberg

The teachers who participated in the workshop represented eight secondary schools from across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The schools represented were H J Robinson High School in Grand Turk, Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos, Marjorie Basden High School in South Caicos and Clement Howell High School, Maranatha High School, Wesley Methodist School, Long Bay High School and TCIPS Comprehensive High School in Providenciales. Special thanks to Fortis for sponsoring the workshop and making it possible to have representation form the family islands.

Mr Mark Garland

Mr. Mark Garland, Deputy Director of Education and a member of the planning team of the Museum’s National Quiz Committee addressed the workshop. He spoke to teachers about the important role they play in passing on the cultural heritage of these islands to their students and encouraged them to participate fully in the workshop.

Ms. Talisha Simons, Manager of Corporate Communications, Fortis TCI, the Corporate Sponsor for the Quiz, reiterated the company’s commitment to the education of the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands, their expressed interest in the history and cultural heritage of these islands and said how happy they were to sponsor the Museum’s National Quiz.

Mr. Don Stark founder Turks & Caicos Reef Fund, sponsoring partner spoke about the Coral Reef Program which will be launched early next year, first in the primary schools and then in the secondary schools. The TCI Reef Fund, the National Museum and Department of Environmental and Maritime Affairs are collaborating on this program.

Teachers at workshop.

Mr. Ben Stubenberg, owner of Caicu Naniki and sponsoring partner enticed all present with the details of the 3 day, 2 night tour to the historic city of Cap Haitien, which is the main prize trip for the winning team accompanied by the teacher/coach. One of the trip highlights will be a tour of the Citadelle Fortress which is the largest in the Americas and a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site.

Workshop Facilitators: Mrs. Patricia Saxton – Director of the National Museum; Mrs. Nikki Jennings – National Museum’s Tour Guide, Mrs. Amy Avenant – Environmental Outreach Coordinator, Dept. of Environmental & Maritime Affairs (DEMA), Ms. Angella Freites Department of Culture, Mr. David Bowen from Grace Bay Resorts Community Foundation gave fantastic presentations on aspects of cultural heritage based on UNESCO’s definition. These presentations were each followed by very fruitful discussions. The general consensus coming out of the workshop was that it was informative and beneficial to all present.

By Candianne Williams
Development Office
The Village at Grace Bay

There are many new plants in the Heritage Garden, artfully arranged with informative signage which gives the local name, the scientific name and its use.

New plants with information signs are a nice addition to the heritage garden.

Thanks to Bryan Naqqi Manco, Caicos Pine Recovery Project Manager on North Caicos, who devoted Saturday 21st November 2015 to the Museum’s Caicos Heritage Garden.

Additionally, thanks to the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs Native Plant Nursery in Kew, North Caicos for the great plants and to Lewtide for bringing them from North Caicos to Providenciales in pristine shape.

Plants on the barge from North Caicos on their way to the Caicos Heritage House.

Special thanks to Natalie Zaidan owner and Mark van Eyssen Maintenance Manager of Environmental Arts for making it happen. The plants were collected, stored and then planted thanks to the management and staff of Environmental Arts. They also cleared and trucked away the dry and unsightly shrubbery.

Environmental Arts team cleaning up the garden and helping to get the plants into the ground.

The garden is taking shape; we have many plans for the future and will keep you updated. We hope you will visit soon.

By Candianne Williams
Museum Development Office
The Village at Grace Bay

The Road Map of Providenciales is the most relied on guide to finding one’s way around the island especially for but not only for the visitors. I am pleased to say that the Turks and Caicos National Museum Foundation, the Village, Grace Bay now appears on the 2016 Road Map of Providenciales, which is now in circulation.

Our first map visitors were Timothy Ryan and Amanda Benson. I saw walking around in the rain dressed in raincoats and map in hand. They told me that when they saw us on the map, they were determined to find us and would not let the weather deter them. They were visiting from Tennessee and enjoyed they stay which they say was coming to an end all too quickly, a sure indication that they were having a great time. They were however very happy to spend some time learning about the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. They said that they found it fascinating.

Our second map visitor was L. B. Brown, a first time visitor to Turks and Caicos from New York. Her vacation was all about being in the sun for a couple days to rejuvenate. She wanted to soak in the history and culture of the island. When she looked at the road map, she was thrilled to find that there was a museum office in Providenciales. She too came, map in hand in a rented car. She said that the visit to the Development Office and Heritage House and Garden was the highlight of her trip. She was looking forward to a museum on her return visit.
We look forward to welcoming more visitors.