Interviews by Tiffny Rhodius and photos by Jules Gibson
This week we asked persons visiting the National Museum their thoughts on the exhibits housed there in observance of Museum Week which was observed last week.
Hughette Lawrence, overseas Guyanese
This is my first visit to the museum. Actually this is my first visit back since leaving many, many years ago and what I find disappointing is that there are no ramps. I could not get to view the upper floor. Since we’ve been here we have not found many places that are wheelchair accessible.
This is a little disappointing but from what we saw we enjoyed the exhibits. But I thought there would be more local things. Most of the things look commercial. It was a little disappointing but it was okay.
Eugenie Watson, retiree
I like the many things we saw. The different species of birds, snakes, reptiles, the articles and wear of the people of different cultures that were traditionally used, it’s real nice and it’s good to educate the young.
The museum is important to young people. We have to teach them more about it, what it is and let them see the artefacts from long ago. It’s very much interesting to me. It is amazing about what I learnt about today’s exhibitions. I hope to see many more young people coming out to the museum to educate themselves on their history.
Joyce Barnes, retiree
There were very good exhibitions especially for the young children coming up. The exhibits were very interesting. I think they should put more things in the museum to draw more people in.
Aron Deefes, student
I came here with my school St John’s CHS from Leonora on a tour. I think the exhibits are good. I’ve learnt about different animals and those that were here long ago especially the sloth.
Ominell Bryce, student
I am with the St John’s CHS school tour too. I think the museum is very interesting. I have seen things that I have never seen before. It’s been very interesting and most interesting of all is the crocodile, birds and fishes.
Ann George, teacher of St John’s CHS
I brought the children here because I realised that the museum has more things for the children to gain more knowledge than the zoo. For me, some of the animals have lost their real appearances and I think that needs to be upgraded.
Now, the museum is congested. It needs more space so that there can be more access to the exhibits but overall the trip was okay.
Lachhman Gobardhan, taxi driver
First of all I don’t notice a sign. There should be a sign all around saying that it is a museum something that you can notice from a distance. As a taxi driver I know of people who do not know that it is the museum.
Second the place needs cleaning up and painting. The inside needs upgrading. They need to improve more. We don’t have nothing much in the museum compared to the actual number of birds, snakes and such that can be found in this country.
If we want to move forward we have to put things in place. Sometimes I feel embarrassed when I take tourists there and they ask me what this is. The entrance is a whole in the wall. They need to open up so that we can have an entrance on both sides of the building. A little canteen where people can buy things from and relax on the grounds which should be cleaned up is what they should do. If we are going tourism way we have to upgrade some more.
Devon Lawson, unemployed
I actually came to see the giant sloth. It’s really big. I don’t think something like that could have been alive once. I heard of the sloth from my friends and so I came to see it for myself. The museum is a nice place but the last time I visited was when I was in primary school.
Phillip Persaud, student
I went in and it was a pretty sight to see the ships and I also admire the models of buildings that were once around long ago. It was also a pretty sight to see the many animals which I did not know we had here in the country. The sloth was an amazing sight too to see something that huge. This was my first time to the museum.
Philbert Clarke, student
Basically I think that it was an exciting experience. The last time I visited was in primary school. I enjoyed the giant armadillo which is rare and I think it is a good step which Guyana has taken to draw more interest in the museum.
I think that it is good that the museum is still in good shape and that they are maintaining all the exhibits.
