Around the museums of
(Part 11)
By Lloyd F. Kandasammy
The Linden Industrial Heritage Museum
The Linden Industrial Heritage Museum, one of the most recent additions to the cultural landscape of Guyana is located in the historic Mackenzie Recreation Hall, which was used in the past for concerts, dances, meetings and other social events. The museum displays the chronological history of Mackenzie, Wismar and Christianburg. Visitors should pay special attention to the carved wooden depiction of the bauxite mining process from pit to port. Other exhibits include a chronological history of bauxite mining in the area, a museum plaque, an artists impression of scenes around Linden, and one large mural of Linden from an incoming view atop Amelia’s Ward, showing the bauxite mining calcining Kilns #13 and #14 billowing smoke.
The Guyana Heritage Museum
The Guyana Heritage Museum located at Kastev, West Coast Demerara was opened in 1999. Its existence is due to the enthusiasm of Gary Serrao. The museum houses an interesting collection of exhibits representative of the nation’s history. Examples including irons, enamel lunch carriers, ice-shavers, countless bottles, cannon balls, jars, three-legged iron pots, 18th and 19th century maps, coins and stamps, other artifacts and an impressive collection of books by Guyanese authors awaken a sense of nostalgia.
The Dutch Heritage Museum
The Dutch Heritage Museum, located at the Court of Policy Hall, the oldest non-military structure erected in Guyana, at Fort Island in the Essequibo River, was designed and laid out by the author. Measuring forty feet in width and sixty feet in length, this brick building was completed according to the journal of Gravesande, the Dutch governor in 1752.
According to records, this structure was used for a variety of purposes. On Sundays, it was used as a place of worship and during the week, it performed the services of a Court House and Vendue Office.
The process to transforming this historical edifice into a museum involved the restoration of the structure, which was dilapidated owing to years of neglect. Additionally extensive research had to be undertaken to plot the layout and design of the museum. Visits were made to Fort Nassau, on the Berbice River to secure exhibits from one of the earliest Dutch settlements in Guyana. Residents there enthusiastically donated a variety of items, inclusive of Delftware, crockery, bottles and jars, which they had unearthed at Nassau and its environs.
Equally enthusiastic were the residents of Fort Island, Mr Gary Serrao, of the Guyana Heritage Museum, Ms Indira Anandjit through her then office of the Guyana Tourism Authority and members of the Dutch National Archives also donated a variety of items of a similar nature to ensure the success of this project.
The Demerara Rum Heritage
Centre
The Demerara Rum Heritage Centre, located at DDL’s Complex at Diamond, East Bank Demerara showcases equipment used in the production of rum from the beginnings at Port Mourant Estate in 1732 to present, a display of the world famous Demerara rum.
Exhibits within the museum include the Coffey Still first built in 1832 and still being operated and maintained by DDL to produce its single barrel aged rums with the attractive aroma and flavour, which has won many international awards for years in succession.
Experts credit the aroma and fruity flavour of rums such as the 12-year-old and the 15-year-old Demerara El Dorado rums to the original wooden Coffey Still in which they are blended. The old wooden coffey, made of greenheart wood, continues to be used in the production process to this day. This is the last operating still of its kind in the world today, and rum connoisseurs attribute the uniqueness of the Demerara rums. In addition, the distillery makes use of a wooden pot still for the production of the very aromatic, flavourful, heavy rums that are widely sought the world over.
This still is again the last operating of its kind in the world, and the resultant rum, is so very distinctive that rum experts opined that it is the wood of the still that lends the flavours and congeners to the rums. Also exhibited is the Savalle Still, built around the same time, another important cultural and technological aspect in the history of rum production. Other exhibits include photographs of the processes used in batch and continuous rum production and other events of historical interest to the DDL.
The Cheddi Jagan Research
Centre, Red House
The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Red House, was opened on 22 March, 2000 to commemorate the 82nd birth anniversary of former President Dr Cheddi Jagan. Located in the heart of historic Georgetown this historic structure was the former residence of Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan from 1961 to 1964. The centre houses a number of important documents and a photographic exhibition illustrating the President’s political career. On the second floor is the recreation of his office and an interesting exhibition of memorabilia, gifts and other objects presented to Dr Jagan.
In addition to these museums, there are other smaller establishments such as the Parson Munroe Museum of Village Life also known as the Sapodilla Learning Institute at Hopetown, WCB, which provides an interesting insight to the history of that area and its environs. Other small but nonetheless interesting displays showcasing other aspects of Guyana’s cultural landscape include the philatelic collection of the Guyana Post Office and the history of currency at the Bank of Guyana.
Annually these establishments host numerous exhibitions showcasing the history of this nation. Noteworthy examples include the annual exhibitions staged to commemorate Immigration, Emancipation and Independence, hosted through the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport.
Of all these establishments, the National Art Gallery is the most active constantly showcasing the talents of Guyanese artists. Equally important are the educational programmes undertaken to sensitise the populace of various aspects of their history. It is here that the National Museum of Guyana, more than any other establishments of its kind, excels with its August school vacation activities.
The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology has also contributed greatly to the field of ethnography and anthropology with the publication of Anthropology and Archaeology, the hosting of guest lectures by Dr Mark Pleu. Sadly, the junior archaeology programme, once hosted by this establishment, seems to have fallen off the map. It is envisioned that the powers in charge will see it necessary to revitalise this important programme within the not too distant future, to encourage interest in the aforementioned fields of study.
There is still considerable work to be undertaken in the field of museums in Guyana as much of our heritage is carelessly discarded without thought in part due to the ignorance that prevails towards history within our society.
The preservation and transformation of the Berbice River Ferry as a museum dedicated to the history of the ferry service in Guyana, the transformation of the Railway Station as an Industrial Heritage Museum, the creation of a Museum to remind us of the Trade in Enslaved Africans, the creation of a visitor heritage and exhibition centre at Fort Nassau, Berbice River and the establishment of an Industrial Heritage Park at Mahaicony as part of the preservation plan for the historic railway bridges are several project proposals that have been presented by this author through the National Trust to the Ministry of Culture and various stakeholders.
It is envisioned that the powers in charge will someday see it necessary to embark upon these projects as vital to reminding the present and future generations of their rich and diverse cultural heritage, before they are sold as scrap iron or dumped the daily refuse collection bins.
On April 18-22, 2008 the importance and role of museums in today’s society will be discussed when members of the Commonwealth Association of Museums meet in Guyana. Our heritage will be on display on al for all to see as the value of museums will be highlighted by members of the Commonwealth who will make presentations of their respective countries. Cultural heritage is often sidelined by many as unworthy of a substantial investment. Over the years, Guyana has lost valuable chapters of her history. It is envisioned that the powers to be take every available opportunity to ensure that these institutions are properly financed rather than the shoestring budget under which they operate.
Part 1 appeared in the April 24 edition of Stabroek News.