In late July we received a package with a large framed photo with a brass plaque that stated “Louis Williams at the tracking station 1964”. There was a short note on the back, explaining that the photographer worked with Mr. Williams in 1964 and thought the Museum would like this photo. No return address, or contact information was given.

Will we find the photographer? Will we find the man in the photo? Read the Fall issue of the Astrolabe in the Times of the Islands for an update on this very interesting story!

This summer we had some great school groups visit the Museum both in Grand Turk and Provo. Here in Grand Turk the children are being taught about the Molasses Reef Wreck by Nikki Jennings, one of our wonderful tour guides.

Nikki Jennings with school children exploring the secrets of the Molasses Reef Wreck.

Nikki does a real “hands on” tour with our school children and you can see just how pleased they are to participate.

By Candianne Williams
Museum Representative on Providenciales

L-R: Karen Delancy, Marlene and Rolf Lagerquist visit the Grace Bay campus and Caicos Heritage House.

Rolf and Marlene Lagerquist, visitors to the island of Providenciales from Austin, Texas came to visit the Development Office and Caicos Heritage House. They were delighted to have had the opportunity to visit a museum in its inception stages, a first for them. They now feel a part of the process and share our excitement for the future. They said that they would follow its development and they look forward to visiting the new museum on Providenciales in the not too distant future. Karen Delancy, managing director of Destination Management Company passed by and joined us. She said that the visit to the Caicos Heritage House and Garden brought her back a few years. She shared her fond memories of her grandmother’s house and her childhood with us. She too is excited and she will work towards making the museum on Providenciales a reality.

Nikki with old “new” counter top.

Donna and Martin Seim donated the funds necessary to replace the National Museum’s faded and peeling signs facing Front Street. And in adherence to our “recycle and reuse” campaign the old signs now have two new uses. One became the new top of the cash drawer in the gift shop and the other one will “get legs” and become a table on the balcony where visitors can sit and write their post cards.

A new beaded curtain in the shop from lots of recycled beads.

Many hands contributed to stringing hundreds of beads to make a curtain that now separates the shop office from the sales area. Nikki and Cecile started the project and were soon accompanied by Lisa Wandres, Catherine Foley, Nelda Gervan, Jill Beckingham, Donna Seim and Joan Garneau. And thanks to those that donated the beads: Chris Davies-James, Hazel Thompson, Lisa Wandres, Cecile and Nikki. With the help of our other great volunteers Mitchell Loeb, Catherine Foley and Lisa Wandres, the curtain is hung and is a beautiful addition to our shop.

Mrs. Shirley Brown, long time member and supporter.

By Pat Saxton, Director
Mrs. Shirley Brown (left), longtime supporter of the TCNM, 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 furniture belonged to her Grandmother, Mrs. Amie Louise (Morgan) Tatem (in photograph), 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 also loaned which she said her father had recovered from shipwrecks.

Mrs. Amie Louise (Morgan) Tatem, grandmother of Mrs. Shirley Brown.

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 to go in our exhibits.

We are delighted that the Regent Palms, whose offices are located in the Village at Grace Bay and are, in fact, our neighbors, will be helping to keep the grounds of the Development Office and Caicos Heritage House in tip top shape. The grounds staff has been diligently working to tidy up our surroundings. As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village’. Thank you Regent Palms and the staff.

By Stan Hartling
TCNM Board of Directors

Well… the old girl is well lubed, shall we say. The ‘old girl’ is the Burrell Steam Traction Engine that has been on West Caicos for more than 100 years. The importance of the engine has always been on the mind of the Museum and with the help and support of friends and aficionados near and far, we are beginning the long process of protecting and eventually restoring this unique bit of TCI history.

The Burrell Steam Traction Engine on East Caicos

The first recommendation we got from Graeme Glynn after his visit last month was to treat the exterior with motor oil. We had a brilliant crew yesterday and everyone truly worked their tails off in the dust and blistering sun. We broke away as much of the scales as possible and cleaned out the debris so they could get well oil soaked. Its amazing how good “Betty” (so named by Kim) looks with the shiny black coat.

Betty after treatment with oil. A great makeover!

We aren’t sure who got more oil on them, the tractor or the people but a job truly well done. L-R: Stan Hartling, Joan Hagan, Roger Haliday, Kim Mortimer, Donna Davis. Photo by Mark Parrish.

We were also able to get use of the skylift from the security guard Brian Swann, who could not have been more helpful. With a huge amount of effort and testing the lifting side of the skylift, we managed to get all 4 wheels up on boards and out of the sand without any damage. Another important step in protecting the engine.

Special thanks to Mark, Joan, Kim, Donna and Roger from Big Blue who were insane enough to come help!

Next up is to get “Betty” moved to the Museum’s campus on Provo and under cover! For all the other crazy people who want to help contact Pat Saxton at the Museum. We welcome all the ‘crazy’ company.