By Pat Saxton
Museum Administrator
The last two weeks have been crazy busy and exciting. For a small Museum, we sure do have a lot going on!!
First we had to say goodbye to Nikki Miller Jennings our “tour guide extraordinaire” and Children’s Club Manager. Nikki is going to Munich, Germany for awhile. We are all hoping that Grand Turk will call her back at some point and she will once again become part of our team at the Turks and Caicos National Museum.
Here is a photo of our effervescent Nikki!
On Thursday June 9, the Museum hosted a party for Georgia Dunn Belk and Bill Belk and a few friends to tour the Museum and Botanical Garden. Also in attendance was, HE Governor and Mrs. Wetherell who were the first to see some of our new acquisitions from Mr. Hugh Hutchings. Mr. Hutchings has generously donated a ceremonial sword that was used by his Grandfather, Hugh Houston Hutchings in the late 1800’s along with some medals.
Also gifted were other medals from his father, Mr. Charles Hutchings. Look for an article in the Fall Issue of Times of the Islands to read more about this important collection.
Pictured are HE Governor and Mrs. Wetherell looking at some of the new acquisitions.
Some of the other guests learning about the New Botanical and Cultural Garden
On Saturday June 10 the Turks and Caicos National Museum hosted the students from the Spirit of Bermuda, see the June 12 blog.
Then on Sunday June 11 we hosted a film crew in to do a commercial for the One Caribbean Weather Channel with none other than Joey Stevens complete with Bob the parrot. See link
http://onecaribbeanweather.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/thank-you-turks-caicos/
And if that was not enough, TCU (Turks and Caicos Utilities) has generously donated both manpower and their auger to install the poles to hold the Bird Drive and Walk signs around Grand Turk. This is a monumental undertaking and the Turks and Caicos National Museum cannot thank TCU enough for this wonderful gift.
The Bird Trails will officially open the week of July 11, 2011. Turks and Caicos is proud to the first country in the Caribbean to have a sanctioned bird trail. Bird Trail cards will be on sale at the Museum for all you birders. Having the Salt Ponds named as protected areas will ensure that our lovely birds will have a place to call home for years to come. Be sure and follow the blog to see all the news about “Bird Week” to be held July 11-15. Also thank you to the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum for partnering with the Museum to bring this important tour to the Turks and Caicos. The Carnival Corporation/TCInvest Government Infrastructure Fund awarded a grant earlier this year to the Museum and UKOTCF so that a Bird Walking and Driving Tour could be established.
And last but certainly not least, you will be seeing a change come over Guinep House. AND Construction is currently painting our roof with a bonding agent to prevent leaks. Color will also change from red to white to help with energy costs. If you have not been to the Museum lately, you are really missing out. Come in and browse our wonderful Guinep House Gift Shoppe that has many locally hand-made gifts. A variety of books and sea glass items along with handmade baskets are only a few of the items available. Our friendly staff will show you around the Museum and the gift shop!