August 2018 Newsletter

August 2018

Updated Website Launched

We are excited and pleased to announce that our updated website is now active. We have added a community section that includes upcoming events as well as information and photos after the events. We have also added tour information for both locations and plan to continue to build on what we have shown now. There are still areas that need updated with revised and corrected information and we are working on that.

Thanks to Danconia for creating the design, converting and implementing the new site. If you or your company needs help with a website check them out http://danconia.com

Visit our Modernized Website

The Museum continues to digitize our archives

In 2016, the Museum through the ZEMI Foundation received a grant from the British Library (EAP914) to digitize some of the archives held by the museum in our collections. The collections digitized included various church and colonial government records. From July 19th-26th 2018 we continued this project with the help of Kelly & Michael Temple along with Vanessa Pateman. Over 7000 records were digitized during this time. We want to thank all the volunteers that contributed to this project in the past and recently!

Vanessa Pateman assisting with the digitization of records.

Evening with the Expert

Both locations held an Evening with the Expert featuring Dr. Matt Williamson. His presentation was entitled "The Dead Teach the Living: Bio-archaeology and the Study of Historic Cemeteries." Dr. Williamson explained the different types of archaeologist and went over several of his case studies and actual law enforcement cases he has been involved in. Attendees found his presentation very interesting.

Dr. Matt Williamson is a bio-archaeologist and forensic anthropologist who has excavated prehistoric and historic cemeteries in the Midwest and Southeast U.S. and U.K. and has assisted numerous state and local law enforcement agencies. He is an award-winning scientist with research interests in paleopathology and cranio-facial growth and development .

We will be offering more Evening with the Expert events in the future and will send out notifications and post information in advance when we have additional experts scheduled.

Museum Living History Summer Camp

The Grace Bay Campus hosted its second annual living history summer camp, July 23 ^rd to 27 ^th . The 28 campers learnt the traditional arts of basket weaving from, net knitting and making of rag rugs. They even cooked outside. They visited the farm and saw chickens lay eggs, also saw goats and pigs. The bearing okra trees that they saw on the farm was a source of inspiration for their own okra tree-planting project. They were transported to the late 17 ^th – early 18 ^th century by a visit to Cheshire Hall Plantation followed by a lively and interactive presentation of the many traditional uses of plants. They also earnt traditional dance, much to their delight. Playing cricket in the afternoon was always highly anticipated. They learnt about the animals we share the island with and ways to coexist with them. The trip to Little Water Cay to visit the iguanas was exciting, especially since the Iguana mascot made a special appearance. It was a great week of learning and lots fun !

Little Water Cay Visit

Learning to make nets

Learning about Farming

Learning Traditional Crafts

Traditional use of Plants presented by Bryan "Naqqi" Manco

Learning to play cricket

Still Openings for the Grand Turk Eco Camp

Camp Dates: 13th-17th of August

Ages 10-16

Student Visits

On July 4th, 29 third and fourth forum students and 2 teachers from the Clement Howell High School traveled from Provo to Grand Turk to see the museum.

South Caicos Class Visits Grace Bay Campus.

Grace Bay Visitors

Kristen Nedd and Tyler Buford visited the museum while on honeymoon in Providenciales. They got married on July 8 ^th in Miami where they live. It was their first trip on the island and they loved it so much they decided to visit the museum to find out more about the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Imagine our surprised delight to find out that Kristen has Grenadian roots and that members of our families including myself knew each other quite well. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Provo Primary summer campers explored the impact of different types of sea craft on the history and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands from the first inhabitants, the Lucayans in 750 to the 1900's.

At the end of the tour, each student chose a time-period from the historical timeline and corresponding seacraft for that era. These students had a great start to their vacation.

Continued Progress in Grand Turk

The progress for the repairs at Grand Turk continues. All the hurricane shutters have been replaced on the Science Building and they are working on the Museum shutters.

Memberships and Donors

Become a member or donate to the museum. Member and donor benefits include free entry to both museums, subscription to Times of the Islands and more. US residents may be able to deduct fees and donations from their taxes.

Visit our Webpage for more Info

Thanks to this months New*, Renewal Memberships and Donors

*Lucy Eaton

*Sara & John Redmond

*Bengt Soderqvist

Tim Ainley -Sail Beluga

Kathleen Schultz

Emma Jane Schneck

Thomas Kaufman & Deborah Annema

Christian & Beth Buys

James Tew

Donations

As a small non-profit with limited staff and resources, we are grateful for donations in any amount. We make it easy to donate from anywhere by using PayPal. See our website or contact us for more information on donating.