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Category: Museum News

Support the Museum.

Help preserve the history of the islands.

Find out what’s been happening at The Museum. Includes updated post of previous events, visitors, volunteers, our monthly newsletter and more!

Susanna Wesley Christian Academy Students Visit

Tuesday, 10 March 2015 by

On Tuesday March 10, 2015 students and faculty from the Susanna Wesley Christian Academy visited the Grand Turk campus. Fred Glinton showed the 45 students throughout the first floor of the Museum and then the group toured the new exhibits upstairs. They also spent time in the garden, learning about water resourcefulness and proper planting in harsh climates. After an interesting lesson on mangroves the students headed back to their school with mangrove coloring books provided by the Museum. Kudo’s to the students who were very well behaved.

Fred Glinton talks to students from the Susanna Wesley Christian Academy

Fred Glinton talks to students from the Susanna Wesley Christian Academy

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Charming Charms and other Goodies

Sunday, 16 November 2014 by

photo 1With our all new exhibits and recent “facelift” we decided to reconfigure the shop, making the books easier to see and browse.

There are TCI history and slave history section, a cookbook and craft section and a dive/ocean section and a bird section!
New ornaments and key chains with a nautical theme to go with our new exhibits. We have some new charms, key chains, and ornaments to go with our new exhibits.

photo 5 photo 4They’ll make great stocking suffers or a fun memento of your visit. Come by, say hello, and see what else is new in the gift shop!

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The Tele Booth “Lands” at the Museum

Sunday, 16 November 2014 by

By Pat Saxton, Director

tele-box-1-MG_2744

The antique tele box being placed with the help of Olympic Construction, Seamus Day and Neil Saxton.

On this past Wednesday evening Seamus called to tell me could deliver the UK phone booth Friday morning! Great news…but…where to put it? Fortunately, Neil Saxton knew exactly what to do and got to work leveling the space between the donkey cart and the flag pole in front of the Museum. First job was to pull out all the aloe plants (aloe, aloe, aloe ..some (UK) Dr. Who humor).

Luckily we had some new pavers left over so they were put down, leveled and then filled in with soil. On Friday morning the Olympic sky track came with the phone booth, after a bit of maneuvering it was gently put into place. It weighs about 500 pounds and is cast iron. Most of the hard work to restore has been done by sandblasting, so now we just have to get some replacement glass, cherry red tele paint, and telephone window signs. Then wait for a visit from …. Dr. Who!

tele-box-2

All it needs is paint, glass, and signs. Stop by the museum and see our newest attraction.

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Footsteps4Good Charity Walk

Tuesday, 04 November 2014 by

Jill Beckingham, Governor Peter Beckingham’s wife, has helped to raise more than $25,000 for charity by walking more than 100km across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Scores of residents, young and old, joined Mrs. Beckingham during her Footsteps4Good walk across five of the country’s six inhabited islands.

Mrs. Jill Beckingham with Footsteps4Good supporters and participants. Photo courtesy Turks & Caicos Weekly News

Mrs. Jill Beckingham with Footsteps4Good supporters and participants. Photo courtesy Turks & Caicos Weekly News

And it was all for a great cause as walkers and supporters pledged thousands for their favorite TCI charity while getting fit and having fun in the process.

The walk began in Grand Turk on October 25, then onto South Caicos, Middle and North Caicos, Salt Cay, ending on Providenciales on October 31. On Saturday, November 1, Mrs. Beckingham finished with a major walk and run organized by Provo Road Runners from IGA to Blue Haven in Leeward.

The Museum collected $1,737.00 in donations from the walk! Thank you Mrs. Beckingham!

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Birding Guides Unveiled at TCNM

Friday, 13 June 2014 by

A new set of guides to bird watching in the TCI were unveiled at the Providenciales, Grace Bay branch of the Turks & Caicos National Museum on July 12, 2014. The guides are designed to help extend the TCI’s tourism offer year round, especially on its less populated islands. They were jointly created by the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) and the TCI National Museum.  Read more about it at: https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/birding-guides-to-extend-turks-and-caicos-islands-visitor-season

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Water Wise Garden Exhibit Opens

Friday, 13 June 2014 by

The new wise water garden exhibit demonstrates rainwater harvesting from roofs, garden irrigation and use of native and other medicinal plants adapted to local conditions at the Museum’s historically accurate recreation of a typical 1800s Caicos family dwelling. The new exhibit was featured at a grand opening on June 12, at the Providenciales branch of the Turks & Caicos National Museum.  To read more about it https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/wise-water-garden-opens-at-turks-and-cacios-national-museum

Brian Naqqi Manco explaining the

Brian Naqqi Manco explaining the “three sisters” crop system used by both the original Taino Indian inhabitants and again in the post-plantation era.

 

 

 

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Smell our Specialty Coffee

Friday, 30 May 2014 by
Guinep House Blend coffee.

Try our brand new Guinep House Choice blend coffee.

Introducing “Guinep House Choice” blend coffee made especially for Turks and Caicos National Museum by TCI Roasters. It is a blend of Honduran and Guatemalan beans. It is a medium roast, smooth with slightly nutty tones and very low acidity. The perfect way to start your day.

Come by the Museum gift shop and be one of the first to buy our new coffee.

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Royal Bank of Canada Grant Awarded to Museum

Friday, 12 July 2013 by

Breaking News!

The Turks and Caicos National Museum ( TCNM), in cooperation with the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF) have been awarded a $55,000 Leadership Grant through the Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Project.

Type of Grant: Leadership Grant

Project: Restoring Water Capture and Use in Turks & Caicos with Model Gardens and Raising Awareness of Wise Water Use

The Turks and Caicos National Museum in partnership with the UKOTCF, Department of Maritime Affairs (DEMA) and the Agricultural Department will be using these funds to show visitors to the Caicos Heritage House in Providenciales the importance of rain collection both today and before “city water”.  This site currently in development, will demonstrate rainwater harvesting, garden irrigation and use of native planting.

The TCNM Grand Turk will be using part of this grant for signage to demonstrate how the Guinep House, Science Building and Botanical and Cultural Garden use only harvested rain water and recycled air conditioning run off for its gardens, toilets and cleaning.

Project will be showcased at the Royal Bank of Canada’s Blue Water Day in June 2014

UKOTCF logoRBC logo

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Caicos Heritage House Exhibit

Friday, 10 August 2012 by

August 1, 2012 – The Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation is pleased to announce the start of its first exhibit at the new facility in the Village at Grace Bay, a historically correct recreation of a typical 1800s Caicos dwelling. Plans were recently approved by the Physical Planning Board.  Jeff Lee of JAL Consultants Ltd., the Architect and Development Consultant for the project stated:

“The Caicos Heritage House was meticulously researched through numerous site visits to North and Middle Caicos and interviews with Islanders. This first Museum exhibit will be a Caicos family home that existed during the 1800s, complete with outdoor cooking area, traditional furnishings, and even boat-building. The construction schedule calls for the completion of the exhibit before the end of the year.”

A typical Caicos Island house in the 1800s. Photo copyright Turks & Caicos National Museum.

Made possible through an anonymous donation, the Caicos Heritage House will occupy part of a 1-acre parcel adjacent to a 1.6 acre lot where the main Museum will be built.  The Heritage House will feature “living history” demonstrations and learning exhibits. The donor hopes that the prompt completion of this project will draw attention to the Museum’s presence on Providenciales and demonstrate its importance.

Dr. Donald H. Keith, Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Directors said:

“Visitors and Islanders who come to see this exhibit will leave with a new appreciation for what life in the Islands was like for most of the past 160 years. The Caicos Islanders were in tune with and adapted to the climate and environment on land and in the water. Much of their knowledge about past lifeways and traditional use of foods and medicinal plants is slipping away as the oldest residents pass away. We hope that Islanders will come forward with their knowledge and stories so that the Museum can save them and share them with visitors and the public.”

For more information about the Caicos Heritage House project and the Turks & Caicos National Museum contact Patricia Saxton, Director, at 649-946-2160.

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Colonial Tea Set Donated to the Museum

Tuesday, 01 November 2011 by

November 1, 2011 – Our outgoing Chief Justice Gordon Ward and his wife Meg have donated a Royal Albert Bone China Tea Set to the Turks & Caicos National Museum.  This exquisite set belonged to his mother Ellinor Ward.

The Chief Justice said the set must be at least 80 years old as he remembers his mother using it from when he was very young.

Of course we will not divulge the age of the Chief Justice just to satisfy our curiosity!  Suffice to say, he was born in Kut Ching in Borneo (now Malaysia) and was the third generation of his English family to be born there, so he came of age in the Colonial Era.

The tea set for 4 is in perfect condition.  We are hoping to display it in the planned exhibit of a colonial administrator’s office.  On behalf of the Museum, we thank the Wonderful Wards for leaving this family heirloom in our care.  The memory of Ellinor Ward, her son and daughter-in-law will live on in Grand Turk.

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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

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.

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

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