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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
[Left to Right] - Reviewing the demolition of the old roof on the site of the Museum of Grand Bahama, formerly the Shannon Country Club, are Erika Gates [Museum Committee], Bruce Silvera [Freeport Construction Co. Ltd.], Michael Clough, [The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited], Chantal Bethel, [National Art Gallery of the Bahamas], Janet Albury [Museum Committee].
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Freeport, The
Bahamas - A new historical Museum has been announced for Grand Bahama
Island and will be located in the former Shannon Country Club building
on Magellan Drive, at the entrance to the Garden of the Groves. It is
expected to become an important source of history and information about
the island. It is intended to be a centre of interest and activity as it
celebrates the Explorers, Pioneers and Settlers of Grand Bahama Island.
The Working Committee of the Museum is headed by Erika Gates who stated,
“in October 2014, Sir Jack Hayward called together several persons who
he knew were interested in forming a Museum here on Grand Bahama
Island…he charged us with the mandate ‘to make it happen.’ Following his
untimely passing in January of this year, we have been diligently
pressing on to make his dream come true. This is a labour of love for
the committee members: Graham Torode, Michael Clough, Peter Barratt,
Arthur Jones, Janet Albury, Chantal Bethel and Tiffany Dennison.”
Special allocation was given to The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
[NAGB], which will continue its mission to preserve and exhibit the
National Collectio n of Bahamian art and to engage the history of
Bahamian Art and Visual culture. Broadening its reach to its first
Family Island annex, artwork will be displayed by fine artists from the
collection or who have met the criteria of the NAGB with an aim to
educate the local visitors in the history and development of Bahamian
art. Approximately 3,000 square feet is designated for the Museum in its
entirety, of which 1,000 square feet is designated for The National Art
Gallery and 1,000 square feet is shared space.
Amanda Coulson, Director of NAGB stated, “As an archipelagic nation, it
has proven to be very difficult to share our important work adequately
throughout the nation; without a dedicated space it is impossible to
tour the collection or put on the type of world class Bahamian art shows
that engage with our history, which New Providence-based audiences have
come to expect. This generous opportunity afforded to us by the Museum
of Grand Bahama will make a world ofdifference to us and—I hope—to the
local Grand Bahamian community."
Chantal Bethel, the Freeport-based NAGB representative—who currently
serves as Deputy-Chair to the institution—was involved with the Grand
Bahama Heritage Foundation for the past ten years, whose mission was to
celebrate the story of the island through creating artworks where
historical artefacts did not exist.
Slide show - Work commenced several months ago as debris from the interior of the Shannon Golf and Country Club was removed. Following the completion of the roof replacement, new windows and doors will be installed to secure the building. Photos also show Bruce Silvera, Freeport Construction Company and workers inspecting the roof and Demolition of roof
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She stated, “This is the first satellite location of the NAGB outside of
New Providence and our presence in the Museum of Grand Bahama will
provide a space where local artists can aspire to exhibit in the
National Gallery in their own community. A mural will be painted on the
outside wall of the Museum by one of our very own artists, which is
something we are also very excited about.”
“This project would not be possible without the generous donation of the
building and land by Sir Jack Hayward,” stated Graham Torode, President
and Chief Executive Officer of The Grand Bahama Development Company,
Limited.
Commenting on The
Grand Bahama Port Authority’s involvement, Sarah St George said, "A
Museum is fundamental for us in Grand Bahama. Sir Jack and I always
discussed the importance of memorialising our history as time marches on
and we risk forgetting and even losing fascinating artefacts. Those who
have lived it, must be remembered and recorded. We, at The Grand Bahama
Port Authority are very excited by this ambitious project in which an
artistic and cultural environment will tell the extraordinary story of
Freeport and Grand Bahama, a unique island shaped by unique individuals
and events– my family and I are really very proud to be part of this
Historic moment.”
Through the donations of The Grand Bahama Development Company Limited,
the Lucaya Service Company and The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited,
work has commenced on the Museum. The interior of the building was
gutted several months ago and Freeport Construction Company is now in
the process of stripping off the old shingles and replacing them with a
new metal roof.Michael Clough, Director of The Grand Bahama Port
Authority Limited and Port Group Limited, expressed his appreciation to
Bruce Silvera and his team.
The entrance to the Museum and Art Gallery will feature a shop that will
offer for sale items with an island historical connection. There will
also be a room leading off the entrance hall for audio-visual
presentations and meetings. Peter Barratt has spearheaded the work of
transforming the 5,000 square foot building to showcase numerous
exhibits which will be displayed in chronological order starting with
the Lucayan Indians who were part of the Taino culture. This is followed
by the island’s maritime history which includes individual exhibits on
piracy, slavery and wrecking. Next follows an exhibit on the settlements
of the island and covers the peopling of the island after AD 1800 with
information of the life style of the islanders, and economic activity
(especially lumbering which has been of incredible importance to the
island in the past). A brief detour is made with a compelling exhibit
about the scourge of hurricanes. Then follows the exhibit of paramount
importance in the history of Grand Bahama entitled, “The Freeport
Story.” The history of Freeport since 1955 will be explained in
photographs, maps, film, original records and even with hands-on
computers. But the visitors’ interest should not end there.
Following on from the Freeport exhibit there is space devoted to
Junkanoo and the industries of Grand Bahama which are accessed down a
‘mall’ and around an appropriately named roundabout called “Ranfurly
Circus”. From the roundabout, future plans call for open air exhibits: a
re-constructed Bahamian Village, a butterfly garden, an ecological
exhibit constructed in association with the Garden of the Groves, a bush
medicine garden and a children’s playground that one day may have a
small model railway replete with stations and tunnels. A re-constructed
coal mine shaft where Bahamian pit props were employed may also be
included as an exhibit.
Peter is no stranger to Freeport. In 1965 he was the appointed Town
Planner at The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited.He is also the
author of three books featuring Bahamiana: Grand Bahama, Freeport
Notebook and Bahama Saga.He was also the designer of the original Museum
of Grand Bahama which was located in the Garden of the Groves which
proved to be a very popular attraction with visitors to the island.His
time spent in The Bahamas and knowledge of Grand Bahama, in particular,
has been invaluable.Peter has been studying the history of the island
since he first arrived here. About his involvement with the Museum he
stated, “Everywhere has history, whether it is interesting or not is the
important question. Grand Bahama has an incredible history and we
intend to represent it in all its facets as faithfully as possible.
Though history is also dynamic, we hope to keep in step with the history
of the island as it unfolds.”
The Museum will be a non-profit organization and will have to rely on
the generous donations of the public.There is much to be done to outfit
the Museum with interactive exhibits, copying and mounting of
photographs, storing and displaying artifacts after all of the
renovation work is completed. This is a multi-phased project and with
the help of the community, this Museum will become a reality and a hub
for residents, students and visitors alike.
Interested persons who are willing to donate to the Museum, volunteer
their time or offer artefacts to be displayed may contact Janet Albury
at 351-5310 or e-mail vipservices.fpo@gmail.com.
The Museum will be a repository for historical artefacts and archival
materials with a Grand Bahamian connection and of interest to all who
visit the island.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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