Turks and Caicos MuseumTurks and Caicos Museum
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Expedition Team

Support the Museum.

Help preserve the history of the islands.

SHIPS OF DISCOVERY

Dr Donald H. Keith – Trustee of the Turks and Caicos National Museum and lead archaeologist with Ships of Discovery More Info

Dr Toni L. Carrell – Marine Archaeologist, Ships of Discovery More Info

Randel Davis, D.O. – Archaeologist and Project Diving Physician, Ships of Discovery More Info

Robert Krieble – Volunteer and Boat Operator, Ships of Discovery More Info

TURKS AND CAICOS NATIONAL MUSEUM

Dr. Neal V. Hitch – Director of the Turks and Caicos National Museum More Info

Will Allen – Volunteer More Info

Elizabeth Stone – Volunteer More Info

David Stone – Volunteer  More Info

 

DonaldFtStGeo|125Dr Donald H Keith

Donald Keith is the Principal Investigator of the 2009 Fort St George Archaeological Expedition. Dr Keith is well known in the islands having recently directed the Search for the Slave Ship Trouvadore projects in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Dr. Keith has been the president of Ships of Discovery since its inception in 1989. A diver since 1969, he has directed field research from the Bahamas to Panama and has participated in shipwreck investigations in more than a dozen foreign countries. From 1980-1988 he directed the excavation, analysis and conservation of the Molasses Reef wreck, the oldest shipwreck found in the Americas. The need for a space to house the conserved artifacts was instrumental in the establishment of the Turks & Caicos National Museum in 1991. The Molasses Reef Wreck is the museum’s central exhibit. Dr. Keith is also a Trustee of the Turks & Caicos National Museum.

 

ToniFtStGeo|129Dr Toni L Carrell

Toni Carrell is the Co-Principal Investigator for the 2009 Fort St George Archaeological Expedition. She served as Co-Principal Investigator for the Search for the Slave Ship Trouvadore project in 2004, 2006, and 2008. She joined Ships of Discovery in 1990 after having worked as an underwater archaeologist for the National Park Service’s Submerged Cultural Resources Unit for many years. Carrell has extensive experience investigating shipwrecks from the 1600s to WWII throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Her primary interest is hull construction. That led her to field directing the excavation of the La Salle shipwreck, La Belle for the Texas Historical Commission in 1997. Carrell served as Chairman of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology from 1995-2000 and represented the Society for Historical Archaeology during the UNESCO meeting of experts on the development of the international Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, adopted in 2001.

 

RandyFtStGeo|127Randel C Davis

Dr. Davis received his M.A. in underwater archeology in 1978. He has participated in numerous projects including the Padre Island Project, a 1554 Spanish shipwreck under the auspices of the Texas Antiquities Committee-1972; the Mombasa project, a 17th Century Portuguese frigate with the National Museums of Kenya-1978; a 1577 shipwreck in collaboration with the Bermuda Maritime Museum-1989; the Gallega project, a search for a Columbus vessel in association with Ships of Discovery and the Panamanian National Museum-1990 and 1992; The Nina project a caravel reconstruction with Ships of Discovery, Valenca, Brazil-1991; the Endymion site survey with Ships of Discovery and the Turks & Caicos National Museum; and the Trouvadore Project in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He is also the project diving physician, certified by NOAA in hyperbarics. His normal practice, however, is Emergency medicine and Tactical medicine in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

RobertFtStGeo|128Robert Krieble

Robert Krieble is a Ships of Discovery team member for the 2009 Fort St George Archaeological Expedition. He joined Ships of Discovery for the 2008 Search for the Slave Ship Trouvadore and the US Navy Ships Chippewa and Onkahye Expedition. Robert has had a connection with the Turks and Caicos Islands since he was two years old, when his parents first visited the islands; he has lived there semi-full time since he was ten years old. Born in Canada, Quebec is home when not in the TCI. He graduated from Concordia University in Montreal. He has traveled widely, and races in road rallies on a regular basis. However, he is most happy when he is either in or on the water in some way. After participating in the Trouvadore, he volunteered for the 2009 Fort St George project.

 

NealFtStGeo|126Dr. Neal V. Hitch

Dr. Neal V. Hitch is the Turks & Caicos National museum director. Dr. Hitch is a historian, preservation architect, and a museum specialist, holding a Master’s degree in Architecture and a Ph.D. in History. He specializes in 19th century life, culture, and architecture. From 1997 until summer 2007 he worked for the Ohio Historical Society, a non-profit corporation providing historical services for the State of Ohio. He is a historic housing specialist and has worked on some of the Society’s premier restoration Projects. Dr. Hitch is widely published and was awarded the 2002 Anne de Fort-Menares Award by the Association for Preservation Technology International for his scholarly work on OHS restoration Projects.

Volunteers

WillAllenFtStGeo|132Will Allen

I am a photographer/filmmaker and have been working at it for the past 10 years (Will Allen Photo). I studied business and marketing at Concordia University, but found Iwas getting too busy with work to continue and so reserved the right to return in the future. I have since worked with IMAX on several 3D films around the world and National Geographic on different projects. In the past few years I have been working on the production of a few adventure travel shows for Discovery channel all the while building and opening a British Pub in Montreal, Quebec with a few partners. While I usually enjoy shark photography primarily and spending lots of hours underwater I absolutely love being able to be a part of the Fort St. George project. I feel honored not to have been voted off the island yet and hope that we accomplish what we have set out to do!

 

ElizabethStoneFtStGeo|131Elizabeth Stone

Elizabeth originally transferred to Tufts with the intent of pursuing a combined B.A./M.A in Archaeology. Put off by the Physics course required for the degree, she settled for a B.A. degree in history. Most of her professional experience is with non-profit organizations, focusing on public relations, marketing, event planning and instruction of young people. To the Ft St George Cay Project, she brings her curiosity, wry sense of humor, intellectual enthusiasm and lack of physical stamina. Elizabeth (and David) moved to the TCI, almost full time, in 2008. She has many interests including the TCSPCA and the TCFAF. By volunteering her time, it is her wish to give back to these small islands which have welcomed her so warmly. Plus, she gets to meet really interesting people this way!

 

DavidStoneFtStGeo|130David Stone

David worked for 30 years as a professional nature photographer specializing in rare and endangered plants, taught nature photography, and ran photo workshops for 15 years. His stock photos were used in numerous publications such as encyclopedias, National Geographic filmstrips and textbooks. He was the principle photographer for the PBS Television Book “Crockett’s Victory Garden Landscape Guide.” In 1983 David created Photographic Solutions, Inc. to sell PEC-12 (R) film and print cleaner, which he invented in 1971. In 1998, he worked with Eastman Kodak to develop the Sensor Swab (R) for cleaning the sensor in their DCS digital cameras. In 2007 David semi-retired from PSI and moved to Providenciales nine months of the year where he volunteers for various projects for DECR, National Trust, the Ed Gartland Youth Center and the Turks & Caicos National Museum. His favorite gig is being Santa Claus for many of the islands’ institutions and businesses!

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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
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.

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

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