Turks and Caicos MuseumTurks and Caicos Museum
  • Contact Us
  • Locations & Directions
  • Get Involved
  • FAQ’s
  • Home
  • The Museum
    • About the Museum
      • Astrolabe
        • What is an Astrolabe?
    • Museum History
    • Guinep House
    • Genealogy
    • Board of Directors
    • Capital Campaign
    • Privacy Statement and Terms of Service
  • Community Events
    • Upcoming & Past Events
    • Where is Simon, Sandy?
  • Culture & History
    • Golden Age of the Turks Islands
      • A Golden Age: Anything Was Possible
      • Jeremiah Denis Murphy
      • The Grand Turk Lighthouse
    • Nature & Environment
      • Geography & Geology
      • Coral Reefs
      • National Parks
      • Botanical and Cultural Garden
        • Museum Garden History
      • Plants & Animals
      • Further Reading
    • Slavery
      • Background & the TCI
      • Brief History of Emancipation
      • Depopulation of the Islands
      • Bermudans & the Salt Industry
        • The Salt Industry Begins
      • The Loyalist Period
      • Plantations
        • Cheshire Hall Plantation
        • Wades Green Plantation
        • Haulover Plantation
      • Runaway Slaves
      • Emancipation & Beyond
      • Liberated Africans
      • Slave Ships
        • Trouvadore
      • Mary Prince
      • Sources of Slaves
      • Biased Recording
      • Slave Records 1822 – 1834
      • Religion & Records
      • Punishment
      • Conclusion
      • Bibliography & Related Material
    • Lucayans
      • Return of a Duho
      • Loans from the Smithsonian Institution
    • Space Race
      • Project Mercury
      • John Glenn
      • Friendship 7
      • Scott Carpenter
      • Stamps Celebrating Space
      • Tracking Stations
      • 40th Anniversary Celebrations
      • United States Airforce
    • Shipwrecks
    • Salt Industry
    • Sisal Industry
    • Royal Events
      • Queen Elizabeth II
      • Royal Visits
      • Stamps and the Royalty
    • Turks & Caicos History Timeline
    • Landmarks
    • Further Reading
  • Support
    • Support: New & Renewals
    • Provo Engraved Brick Purchase
    • Grand Turk Engraved Brick Purchase
    • Join Our Special Donor Circles
      • Friends Circle
      • Benefactor’s Circle
      • Director’s Circle
    • Supporter Gift
    • Donor Recognition
    • Corporate & Institutional Support
    • Museum Fund
    • Friends of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
  • Tours
    • Tours
    • Grand Turk Tours
      • Birding Tours for All Ages
    • Providenciales – Grace Bay Village Tours
  • Projects
    • Burrell Steam Traction Engine
    • Fort St. George
      • A Short History
      • Expedition Team
    • Governor’s Cannon
    • Maravedit Cove
    • Molasses Reef Shipwreck
      • Molasses Reef Shipwreck Part 1
      • Molasses Reef Shipwreck Part 2
      • Molasses Reef Shipwreck Part 3
      • Molasses Reef Shipwreck Part 4
    • Sapodilla Hill
    • Slave Ship Trouvadore
    • Southwest Harbor Bluff
    • Turks Islands Gates
    • Windmills
    • Occasional Papers Series
DONATE
  • Home
  • Children's Club News
  • Archive from category "Children’s Club News"
  • (
  • Page 2
  • )
 

Category: Children’s Club News

Support the Museum.

Help preserve the history of the islands.

News from the club house

Children’s Club Gets Funky

Friday, 20 November 2015 by

Children’s Club took place in mid-November, just in time to make some lovely Thanksgiving frames and to learn how to play the rip-saw from Grand Turk’s own “Zues”.

Laughing and having fun with the rip-saw. Photo by Donna Seim

Laughing and having fun with the rip-saw. Photo by Donna Seim

All the children got a chance at trying to play the saw! The music was great and a fund time was had by all!

Read more
  • Published in Children's Club News
No Comments

Children’s Club Summer Camp 2015

Tuesday, 01 September 2015 by

DSC05402 Summer Camp 2015 August 24-28, was a huge success! On the agenda numerous educational outings to keep our 8-12 year old campers smiling, inquiring and laughing as we started camp bright and early. With 4 days to see Grand Turk, the campers set out by foot, trolley and boat. First day they learned about our great Museum and Botanical and Cultural Garden guided by Bryan Naqq-Manco.

Mrs The next day, Mrs. Jill Beckingham opened her lovely home, Waterloo, for us to visit. The children learned about the house, which is 200 years old, and then enjoyed treats in the garden. Thank you also to Island Trams who transported the children to Waterloo and back!

Wednesday they were invited to the House of Assembly by Honourable Robert Hall, who is the Speaker of the House. The children learned all about the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands!

Explaination-of-contents-wi

Thursday they walked along Front Street and met with numerous merchants. Unfortunately they didn’t have enough time to see all the merchants they had planned on visiting, but the kids learned a lot from Grand Turk Divers, Blue Water Divers, Turks Head Inn, Osprey Hotel, LIME and finished off with cookies from the Coral Café!

Chris at Bluewater Divers.

Chris at Bluewater Divers.

We had to postpone our annual Gibbs Cay outing due to weather, but we finally went on September 26 and had a great time! Thanks to Oasis Divers for taking us!

The success of the Children’s Camp was possible only with the assistance of the staff of the Museum, Fred, Cecile, Nikki and Pat and DEMA volunteers, B. Naqqi Manco and Katharine Hart. This year we have a new Children’s Club Manager Lavena A. Ben, or Angel as most folks know her in TCI. It was her first camp and she brought new and exciting ideas! This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Children’s Club! The camp is free to all 8-12s and is supported by the proceeds from Donna Seim’s book “Where is Simon, Sandy.”
Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments

Tying Knots with the Children’s Club

Tuesday, 30 December 2014 by

by Nikki Jennings
Children’s Club Coordinator

On December 13th the TCNM Children’s Club hosted Mr. Hartley Squires, who came to teach us nautical rope knots. We learned 6 knots, including the clove hitch for which Hartley especially made a wooden pylon so we could practice that knot. In the photographs you see Chelsea Been practicing her clove hitch.

Chelsea Been practicing her bowline.

Chelsea Been practicing her bowline.

We learned to do a perfect bowline, in which both ends are on the same side of the knot. Antranay shows us her skills.

Antranay with rope

Antranay shows us her skills with a bowline.

Hartley also put together a cleat so we could practice our Cleat Hitches. Here Hartley is showing Andrew how to do the Cleat Hitch. As is usually the case, Andrew picked it up right away!

Mr. Hartely Squires teaching Andrew a cleat hitch.

We finished the session with a talk about nautical safety, which is very dear to Hartley. He left us with the adage: Cats have nine lives, we only have one so let’s be smart about safety!

Knot tying was the last session of the year for the Children’s Club. The New Year should be exciting as we welcome a new Children’s Club Coordinator, Katharine Hart. We say good bye and thank you to Nikki Jennings who has enjoyed her time with the Club immensely and who can always to asked to come along on the day the kids go to Gibbs Cay!

We wish all current and former members of the Children’s Club and their families a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.

Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments

Children’s Club Visits Grand Turk Airport

Sunday, 25 May 2014 by

By Nikki Jennings
Children’s Club Coordinator

The Museum Children’s Club is always looking for new ways we can explore and learn about our islands, our history, our culture and environment. Over the years we have studied the sand on our beaches, found and measured all the cannons on Grand Turk, made a model of Front Street and so much more. Recently I started to think that we hadn’t yet explored how our islands  work. What exactly do they do in the courthouse or at the dock? How does the post office get our mail and do they really have pigs on the prison farm? With this in mind, the Children’s Club has embarked on a of series outings to find out how our island works.

Our first field trip in this series was to JAGS MacCartney International Airport on May 24th. Mr. Shivago Missick, the airport manager, took us on a very informative tour. First we were given a thorough briefing on how airport security works. Security officers taught us how they do body searches and we were allowed to see what our bags look like in the scanner. In the departure lounge we learned how important it is for the runway to stay clear of animals and how migrating birds can cause serious problems to the aircraft. This being the month of May, birds are foremost on the runway supervisor’s mind. From there we walked through the international arrivals building and learned what immigration officers do and we stopped at Caicos Express where Ms. Williams gave us a little talk about tickets and boarding passes.

Children's Club visiting the Grand Turk Airport and fire station.

Children’s Club visiting the Grand Turk Airport and fire station.

Once we finished touring the airport Mr. Missick said with a big smile: “And now we are off to the most exciting part of the airport – the fire station.” Little did the children know what was in store for them. When we arrived at the fire station, which is all the way across on the other side of the runway from the terminal building, the entire staff of the fire station and two fire trucks were waiting for us.

Station Manager Charles Tipton explained to us exactly what they do if there is an emergency. We learned that no plane can land or take off if the fire station is not  ready, and, if there is a fire in town and the team is off fighting a blaze, the airport is shut down for the time being. Then he pointed to the two fire trucks, explained how they work and asked if the children would like to ride in the truck! How could they resist? Thirteen children had a chance to ride the fire truck, with its siren wailing and warning lights flashing, and watch water shoot out the front nozzle. What could be more exciting than that!

You are not allowed to take photographs in any secure area of the airport, and so I was not able to take pictures of the children learning how to do body searches. But I really wanted to take a picture of the children with the fire fighters. So we stepped outside the gates and took a picture there. In the front is a fireman who very kindly accepted to put on all his gear for us, including the face mask and oxygen tank, and explained how it all worked.

Thank you to the entire staff of the airport and the fire station for having welcomed us so warmly. I am sure our visit will long be remembered. I’d also like to thank Etienne Leblanc of Caribbean Tours and Adventure for donating his bus and driver to make this excursion possible.
________________________________________

The Turks and Caicos National Museum Children’s Club is open to all the children of Grand Turk between the ages of 8 and 12. We usually meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month. For more information please call 946-2160.

Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments

December Cleanup in time for Christmas

Saturday, 14 December 2013 by

By Cordelia Creese
Children’s Club Coordinator

North Creek clean up

Cleaning up North Creek with a bit of help from the Children’s Club. Giving back to the community for the holidays.

In keeping with the tradition of cleaning in December for Christmas, two club members met at the dock in North Creek to clean the shore and land near the shore of the dock.

We removed many cans, oil bottles, clothing, plastic bags, and wood from the area. We were joined by a very young volunteer who assisted us. We are very grateful to this very, young girl and Mr. Winston Quelch who removed ten bags of trash. Thank you Mr. Quelch for your undying support!!

Read more
  • Published in Children's Club News
No Comments

Grand Turk Gets A New Landmark

Thursday, 28 November 2013 by

By Nikki Jennings
Children’s Club

On November 26th the JAGS MacCartney International Airport entrance hall was taken over by Museum members, members of the Museum Board, and the parents and children of the Museum’s Children’s Club for a ceremony to unveil the mosaic “Grand Turk”.  Our friends who follow the blog know the artwork was this year’s Children’s Club Summer Project.

Mosaics-

The unveiling of the mosaics project on November 26th at the Grand Turk airport. Photo by Martin Seim.

Pat Saxton, Director of the Turks and Caicos National Museum Foundation, opened the ceremony.  She was followed by Donna Seim, author of the book “Where is Simon, Sandy?” whose entire profit goes towards supporting the Museum Children’s Club.  Donna said the mosaic project was a perfect coming together of the club’s mission to encourage learning the history, the culture, and the natural environment of these beautiful islands and it was also about having fun.  Also speaking were Lisa Wandres, mosaic artist and part-time Grand Turk resident, who taught the children how to convert their drawings of Grand Turk into glass mosaics and Shivago Missick, the manager of the airport, who pulled the names of two of the children out of a hat.  With a flourish, Children’s Club members Kentrelle Prospere and Andrew Clarke tugged down the sheets unveiling the mosaics for all to see.

The mosaics were greeted with claps and cheers and astonishment from the children themselves, who could barely believe how beautiful their artwork is.  The artwork is now a permanent part of the airport and is sure to give great pleasure to all who go through its’ halls.

The Museum Children’s Club is open to all children on Grand Turk between the ages of 8 and 12.  The club meets once a month, inviting children to discover the history and culture, flora and fauna of the Turks and Caicos.  There is also a yearly Summer Program in which one topic is studied in depth for a week.

 

Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments

The Holidays are Coming – Making Ornaments

Sunday, 10 November 2013 by

By Cordelia Creese
Children’s Club Coordinator

Making Christmas ornaments was just awesome!! We truly enjoyed our meeting on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Seven members attended the meeting and we made simple, beautiful and delicate ornaments for Christmas trees.

It's easy. Do it like this.

It’s easy. Do it like this.

We are very grateful to Mrs. Nikki Jennings and Mrs. Cecile Wennick for showing us how to create such beautiful works of art from old magazines, glue, foil, thread, beads, ribbons, glitter, Popsicle sticks and construction paper.Thank you! Thank you!!

Making Christmas tree ornaments

A beautiful Christmas ornament.

 

Read more
  • Published in Children's Club News
No Comments

Pink Birds are Cool!

Sunday, 20 October 2013 by
Flamingos wading in the pond on Grand Turk.

Flamingos wading in the salina on Grand Turk.

By Cordelia Creese
Children’s Club Coordinator

The Museum Children’s Club met on Saturday, 19th October, 2013. Our theme for this meeting was Flamingos and Mangroves. We journeyed to the Town Salina to watch eight flamingos feed, fly and ply the waters of the salina. From there we observed and compared the red, white and black Mangroves at North Creek. We learned a lot about not only the Mangroves, and about the birds that visited there. We had a great time and we thank Mr. Winston Quelch for providing the transportation to and from North Creek.

Read more
  • Published in Children's Club News
No Comments

Summer Camp 2013

Friday, 09 August 2013 by

By Cordelia Creese
Children’s Club Coordinator

Cutting the tiles for the mosaics.

Cutting the tiles for the mosaics.

Summer Camp at the National Museum began on July 27th and ended on August 2nd 2013. On the first day all fourteen registered children drew and colored pictures of our “Favorite Island Thing.”  Then on Monday to Wednesday we made our mosaics from these pictures.

It was very enjoyable to cut, fit and stick the pieces of tiles together to make the mosaics. We were amazed at how beautiful the pictures looked when they were completed. We are indeed proud of our efforts!! We say a great thank you to our GREAT teacher, Ms. Lisa Wandres, who gave so generously of her time and donated materials that made it possible!!

Finished mosaics show just how artistic the kids are!

Finished mosaics show just how artistic the kids are!

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, we collected items on the beach to make our group mosaic on Friday.

IMGP0804

A good day’s work and lots of fun!

Our reward for all our hard work was a trip to Gibbs Cay, sponsored by Oasis Divers. We enjoyed our hike, and swim with the sting rays at Gibbs Cay. Thank you Oasis Divers, especially Captain Been, and Brent Astwood for making our trip and Summer a memorable one!!

Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments

Sandwatching the Pelican Way

Monday, 10 June 2013 by

By Cordelia Creese
Children’s Club Coordinator

The club convened on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at  the museum and then we did a little “sandwatching” on a short portion of the West Road Beach from Missick’s Building to the Fishermen’s Port. Seven members attended.

Children recording data on West Road Beach.

Children recording data on West Road Beach.

We observed a number of things on the beach.

Debris on West Road Beach.

Debris on West Road Beach.

We noted that there is a GREAT need for users of the beach to keep it CLEANER.

We saw several sea biscuits.

Collecting Sea Biscuits

Collecting Sea Biscuits

One of the highlights of our Sandwatching was to witness a symbiotic relationship between a pelican and a laughing gull.

Fries 2

Holding “fries” caught by the fishermen

We say  thank you to the fishermen on the beach who allowed us to photograph them catching “fries”  and  also allowed us to touch the “fries”.

Spread  the word  says our Pelican : “Keep Our Beaches Clean” !!!

Read more
  • Published in A Day at the National Museum, Children's Club News
No Comments
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Community

  • Community Events
  • Upcoming and Past Events
  • Where is Simon, Sandy?

Make Contact

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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.

Become a Supporter

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

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam

Nestled in the heart of Grand Turk, the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum stands as a guardian of the rich history of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its vibrant culture. Housed in the historic "Guinep Lodge," a 200-year-old architectural gem, the museum invites all to embark on a journey through time, exploring the deep and diverse heritage of our nation.

From the ancient era of pre-Columbian civilization to modern-day milestones, the museum’s curated collection offers significant insight into the stories, traditions and legacies that have shaped the Turks and Caicos Islands. With admirable dedication, the museum serves as a custodian of these narratives, preserving invaluable artefacts that chronicle the experiences and contributions of its ancestors. Through its exhibits, the past comes alive, providing a unique cultural tapestry of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Beyond its role as a preserver of history, the museum is a vital hub of education and community engagement inspiring pride in our historical roots. The museum is more than a keeper of the past; it is an active participant in shaping the future of our islands. I encourage residents and visitors to experience the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum.

Your support not only helps safeguard the heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands but enriches collective understanding of the extraordinary journey that has shaped these beautiful by nature islands.

Minister for Tourism, Envrionment, Heritage & Culture, Maritime, and Gaming

Hon. Josephine Connolly

"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 Connolly
Minister for Tourism, Envrionment, Heritage & Culture, Maritime, and Gaming

Former 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

Former 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.

See More

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) 247-2160
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

Site design by NH Web Design Company Danconia | © 2021 All rights reserved.

TOP