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.

Rob Stewart (Sharkwater), Katharine Hart (DEMA), Jackie Walker (Amanyara), Tina Randall (Provo Ponies), Rick MacPherson (Pew), and Jennifer Sawada (Pew Charitable Trusts). Photos by B. Naqqi Manco

On Sunday March 29 the TCNM hosted Mr. Rob Stewart who made the award winning documentary “Sharkwater”. Everyone who came walked away with a different view of sharks and what needs to be done to help save this vital creature of the sea. Rob showed the film, and answered many questions from the audience. He then showed how a sixth grade classroom made a difference in changing their governments view of shark hunting.

If you have not seen this great documentary it is available on YouTube, and Rob’s hope is to educate the masses in order to change laws and also stop illegal long line fishing before it eradicates the entire shark population. For more information about Sharkwater visit the website and view the documentary movie trailer.

On Tuesday, March 17, John Conley and his wife Darlene stopped by the Museum to give us his photos from when he was stationed at NAVFAC Grand Turk. John was a wealth of information from his one year stint on Grand Turk in July 1967 to July 1968. Along with many photos, (which are all identified) he gifted his welcome packet, his arm patch, his orders and even a Thanksgiving menu. He spent most of the morning going through his photos, and we arranged for Neil Saxton to take him and Darlene for a tour of the old North base and Lighthouse. John was amazed that not much had changed since his time in Grand Turk and was thrilled that someone wanted his photos and memorabilia. The Turks and Caicos National Museum will be renovating the John Glenn exhibit to include items we have received from servicemen.

Darlene and John Conley.

We thank John for his wonderful gift and encourage others to contact the Museum if you have served in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

By Candianne Williams
Museum Representative, Village at Grace Bay

As part of education week, Mrs. Robinson, Grade 6 teacher at the Oseta Jolly Primary School took her class to visit the museum’s developmental office in Grace Bay, Providenciales. Mrs. Robinson, who now lives and works in Providenciales, was delighted that she had the opportunity to continue her tradition of bringing her class to learn the history of the islands from the museum. When she taught at the Ona Glinton Primary School in Grand Turk she organized a field trip for her Grade 6 students to the museum every year.

Students from Osseta Jolly grade 6 study the history timeline.

The children were fascinated with what they learned. 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 and then one of them turned and thanked their teacher for giving them such a wonderful learning opportunity. They look forward having a National Museum in Providenciales.

Students were happy with their visit to the Village at Grace Bay development office.

On Thursday February 26, 2015 Ms. Paola Amadei visited the Turks and Caicos National Museum and Botanical and Cultural Garden. Ms. Amadei is the Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, Bahamas, Cayman and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Ms. Amadei was on official business to the Turks and Caicos Islands as a result of the successful delivery of the $6.25m project which saw 58 homes rebuilt or repaired following Hurricanes Ike and Hannah in 2008.

L-R: Fred Glinton, Ms. Amadei and Patrick Boyle

Our own Fred Glinton was a recipient of this funding and received a rebuilt homestead which was demolished as a result of Hurricane Ike. Thank you EU and Ms. Amadei for helping Fred!!