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Queen Elizabeth II

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Help preserve the history of the islands.

Biography, Coronation, Golden Jubilee

The Museum has a wide range of digital images taken throughout the Islands during the festivities that were held to mark Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee. These can all be viewed at the Museum by appointment.

Queen Elizabeth II Biography

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born in London on April 21 1926. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, George and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Five weeks after her birth she was christened in the chapel of Buckingham Palace and was given the names Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.

Her father was not expected to be king but with the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, after the scandal of his affair with Divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson, who he later married, the Duke of York became King George VI in 1936, with his coronation in the following year. This meant that in her early years Princess Elizabeth was not expected to become Queen, and in many ways this allowed her development to take place outside the media glare.

Along with her younger sister, Margaret, she was educated at home and with her becoming Heir Apparent to the throne in 1936 she started to study constitutional history and law. She was thrust into public duty at the age of 14 when she made her first radio broadcast to all the children of Britain and the Commonwealth, especially those being evacuated due to the Second World War.

After the Second World War Princess Elizabeth’s public engagements grew in number and frequency. Her first official visit overseas took place in 1947, when she accompanied her parents and sister on a tour of South Africa.

Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, her 4th cousin, in Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. In October 1947 the Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos announced that he would be glad to receive subscriptions for a wedding present for Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth. The Gazette for October 25th recorded that subscriptions were “limited to one shilling and will be handed to Princess Elizabeth for the endowment of Hospital Cots, Empire Scholarships and other good causes”. The Gazette for December 6th showed that in the end 20 11s 3d was contributed by the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During their marriage they have had four children. Prince Charles, now the Prince of Wales and Heir Apparent to the throne, was born in 1948: Princess Anne, now the Princess Royal, was born in 1950: Prince Andrew, now the Duke of York, was born in 1960: and Prince Edward, was born in 1964. At the time of the birth of Prince Andrew the Turks and Caicos sent the following telegram to his Excellency the Governor on the 21st February, 1960 for transmission to the secretary of state for the Colonies “The Administrator and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands would like for you to convey to Her Majesty the Queen their sincere congratulations on the birth of a Prince.”

During an Official tour of Kenya in 1952 Princess Elizabeth was informed of the death of her father, and that she was now Queen Elizabeth II. She immediately returned to England to take up her duties and to lead the nation in mourning the death of King George VI. Her coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

In 1977, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee was celebrated in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen travelled some 56,000 miles to share the anniversary with her people.

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation — How the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded the events in 1952 and 1953

The death of King George VI and coronation of Queen Elizabeth II did not pass the Turks and Caicos Islands by. On the 6th February 1952 the following telegram was sent from the Acting Colonial Secretary, Jamaica to the Commissioner, Turks Islands:

“The following from the Secretary of State for the Colonies begins circular 11 – Profoundly regret to inform you that His Majesty King George VI passed away last night”

This was communicated at the Legislative Board meeting on the 8th of February 1952 along with the following response from His Honour T W Willis, M.B.E., the Acting Commissioner for the Turks Islands, to the Colonial Secretary, Jamaica.
“The People of the Turks and Caicos Islands have learnt with profound grief of the death of their beloved Sovereign and ask that an expression of their deepest sympathy may be conveyed to the bereaved Royal Family”.

At the same Legislative Board meeting the “Board stood in silent tribute” and the following resolution was moved by the President, seconded by Hon. F C Grant and passed unanimously:
“The Members of the Legislative Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands on their behalf and on the behalf of the people of the Dependency desire to record their deep sorrow at the news of the death of their beloved Sovereign King George the Sixth, and profound sympathy with the Queen Mother and all the Members of the Royal Family, to affirm to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second their true devotion and loyalty”. (Gazette Extraordinary, Friday February 8, 1952)

Also issued on Friday February 8th 1952, in another Gazette Extraordinary was the following Proclamation of Accession.
“Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call His Mercy Our late sovereign Lord King George VI of Blessed and Glorious Memory by whose decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary:

We, Thomas William Willis, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Acting Commissioner for the Dependency of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Vernon Lister Lopez, Evan Thomas Wood, John William Astwood, Official Members of the Legislative Board of the said Dependency, Edmund Garcia Ewing, Felix Cornelius Grant, William Richardson Tatem, James Nathaniel Morgan, Unofficial Members of the said Board, Cecil Earle Crawford, Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Frank Herbert Jones, Assistant Commissioner and Christopher Benjamin Jennings, Government Officer at Salt Cay:

Do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim:

That the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now by the death of Our Late Sovereign of Happy Memory become Queen Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God, Queen of all her realms and territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom her Lieges do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience with hearty and humble affection beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless the Royal Princess Elizabeth the Second with long and happy years to reign over us:

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN !

The approved Loyal Toast was recorded in The Gazette for July 5 1952 as:
1. The Queen
2. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Queen Mary, The Duke of Edinburgh and the other members of the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation saw many official celebrations. The Gazette for December 13 1952 recorded that the following people were “appointed members of a Committee to manage and coordinate arrangements for the Celebrations in connection with the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on June 2nd, 1953”
H. H. the Commissioner (Chairman)
Mrs Bleackley
Mr B. D. Kelly
Rev. S. U. DunMoodie
Rev. G. L. Walters
Mr C. S. Jones
Hon. W. R. Tatem
Mr. Alex Astwood
Hon. T. W. Willis, M.B.E.
Miss A. A. Tatem
Miss I. A. Roberts (secretary)
Mrs E. M. Simmons
Mr L. Godet
Mr A. Hill
Hon. E. T. Wood
Mr A.L. Hawkins

This committee was to prevent “overlapping or duplication” and all societies that were proposing to hold their own functions during the week ending 6th June were asked to contact the committee. The committee also requested any suggestions for celebrations to be sent to them.

There are no accounts yet found of what activities took place to commemorate the Coronation in the Turks and Caicos Islands so if you can remember any or have any photographs or programmes please let the Museum know. In The Gazette for June 6th 1953 it does state that “The Coronation Committee will issue a detailed report in due course” but no further information is found.

We do know that the following received awards on the occasion of her Coronation. The Honourable William Richardson Tatem received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) whilst the following received the Coronation Medal:
His Honour Peter Bleackley, M.B.E.
Hon. Evan Thomson Wood
Hon. H. V. T. Chambers
Hon. John William Astwood
Hon. William Richardson Tatem
Hon. Felix Cornelius Grant
Hon. James Nathaniel Morgan
Hon. Thomas William Willis, M.B.E.
Mr Brian Douglas Kelly
Mr Clifford Stanley Jones
Dr Donald Oliver Astwood
Mr. Alexander Astwood
Mr Bertram Alexander Manuel
Mr Christopher Benjamin Jennings
Mr Raymond Evan Gardiner
Mr Harold St. George Robinson
Mrs Rachel Bleackley
Mrs Mary Ellen Elizabeth Wood
Mrs Euphronia Misick Simmons
Miss Irene Alice Hope Roberts
Miss Amie Louise Tatem

Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Celebrations

In June 2002 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee. As the Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory they also took part in these festivities. For the first 4 days of June, celebrations took place throughout the Islands and the Museum took photographs on Grand Turk and has been donated a series of digital images taken by David Vicker’s as he accompanied His Excelency Governor Jones on his official duties during the celebrations.

Prior to the official celebrations the Museum provided support in many areas. Probably the most lasting was our support for the Jubilee Souvenir Brochure produced by Public Relations Department of the Tourist Board for the Jubilee Committee. The Museum supplied text on historical royal visits, images and are one of the retail outlets for this keepsake. Each issue is individually numbered from 0001 to 5000 (number 0001 was given to Queen Elizabeth II) and priced at only $5 are well worth the investment, as they will become collector’s items. To find out how to purchase a copy visit the section on the Museum Shop.

The Museum also assisted with the production of three sets of stamps. The Museum provided old photographs, took new photographs and scanned all the images that were to be used. To learn more about the three sets of stamps read the section on Stamps Celebrating Golden Jubilee.

For the Jubilee weekend the Museum also prepared a temporary exhibition on British Royal Visits, which will remain on display at the Museum for the rest of this year. Included in the case are the items produced this year to commemorate the jubilee, including a straw crown made on Middle Caicos by Loathie Harvey and Judy Geddis, two 20-crown coins, a badge which has been given to all school children as a memento of this historic occasion, and the sets of stamps. As well as these new items there are other items from the past, such as the Coronation Medals issued in to some local residents in 1953, to celebrate the Royal link with the Islands.

Please Note:
The Museum has a wide range of digital images taken throughout the Islands during the festivities that were held to mark Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee. These can all be viewed at the Museum by appointment.

Culture & History

  • Golden Age of the Turks Islands
  • Nature & Environment
  • Slavery
  • Lucayans
  • Shipwrecks
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  • SIsal Industry
  • Royal Events
  • Space Race
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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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Click here to view a timeline of important events and dates in the history of the islands

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
TCI Governor

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

H.E. Nigel Dakin CMG

The Turks & Caicos Islands National Museum on Grand Turk surely stands in one of the most majestic settings of any museum, anywhere! Perched on the edge of the Columbus Landfall national park. The 200-year-old building, “Guinep Lodge”, which houses a multitude of artifacts covering everything from the pre–Columbian Indians to the modern age, is a museum in its own right. The west facing building has stood firm and witnessed 200+ years of incredible TCI sunsets and has withstood every major hurricane since before records began.

The National Museum plays a vital role in recovering, preserving, recording and displaying the history of these island for all to see, enjoy and learn from. The museum’s archive is a veritable treasure trove of information, with enough information to fill two museums. With thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts from multiple archeological digs from around the TCI over the last 50 years, un-displayed artifacts from ancient warships, parish records or births, deaths and marriages dating back over 200 years; a veritable gold mine of information, just waiting to be discovered.

The museum is not only an exhibition facility for local history and artifacts, but also undertakes important work in the community with multiple events throughout the year and supports all the TCI schools, has a regular summer camp and kids club for our budding historians and archeologists of tomorrow.  The Grand Turk location includes a “science building” which is a fully fledged restoration facility to stabilize artifacts before they are displayed or stored in the archive. All of this work has been quietly undertaken since the museum was founded 30 years ago. There is also a campus on Provo and there are exciting plans underway to construct a new, multimillion dollar purpose-built facility for the wider enjoyment of our fascinating history. The Governor’s Office is proud to have supported the TCNMF over the years with vital capital projects.

Whether you are a local, or a visitor to our beautiful shores; I encourage you to visit and support the Turks & Caicos National Museum and absorb our colorful and surprisingly diverse local history.


H E Nigel Dakin CMG

Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands

Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

Hon. Josephine Connnolly

"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 Connnolly
Minister for Tourism, Heritage & Culture for inclusion on the museum website

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

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) 247-2161
Grace Bay Hours: See Hours For This Location

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