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TRUST NEWS The official newsletter of the National Trust of Guyana
Vol. 9. Issue 1 August 2010
Commemorating L.F.S. Burnham’s 25th Death AnniversaryAugust 6, 2010 marked the twenty-fifth death
anniversary of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham,
former Prime Minister and Executive President of the
Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Burnham was
interred at the Place of the Seven Ponds, the National
Shrine of Guyana's Heroes, in the Botanical Garden. A
mausoleum of reinforced concrete was constructed in
the shape of a crucifix to house his tomb. Decorating
the inner walls of the Mausoleum are brass plates
which depict various aspects of his political career
while the outer design is of decorative clay.
The tomb, constructed of local materials, includes
granite from the Essequibo, glass briquettes formed
from local sand manufactured by the Glass Factory
and jasper from the Orinduik Falls. It also features a
greenheart base that rests upon a granite plinth and
bears an identity plaque with Burnham's
achievements inscribed. On the other side is a plaque
decorated with a motif of a palm tree, the logo of
Burnham's political party.
In preparation for the activities planned for the
commemoration of Burnham’s 25th death anniversary,
the National Trust of Guyana undertook major
maintenance works thus encouraging visitors, local
and foreign, to share in his history. The works included
washing, cleaning and repainting the Mausoleum.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
OUR ACTIVITIES......................................2-3
HERITAGE TRAIL........................................4
-International Monuments & Sites Day 2010: Exhibition and Book Launch
-Maintenance of Chateau Margot Chimney Site
-Plaque on Cannon in Our Compound
-Exhibition at Egbert Benjamin Centre in Linden
-Heritage Preservation: Capital Works
-Participation in Children Summer Camp Programme
The Burnham’s Mausoleum where
he is interred.
Trust News 2010 Page 2
OUR ACTIVITIES
International Day for Monuments & Sites 2010: Exhibition & Book LaunchThe National Trust of Guyana, in collaboration with GUYSUCO, celebrated International Monuments and Sites Day which is observed every year on April 18. This year there were a number of activities including an exhibition on April 16, 2010 showcasing 'the Sugar Industry: Guyana's Main Agricultural Heritage’. Due to inclement weather conditions the activity was moved from the Non Aligned Monument to the National Cultural Centre.
This day [International Monuments and Sites Day], informally known as World Heritage Day, was created on April 18, 1982 by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the 22nd General Conference in 1983. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the diversity of the world's heritage and the efforts required to protect and preserve.
This year it was celebrated, in Guyana and around the world, under the theme Agricultural Heritage. Agricultural practices, systems and landscapes have been shaped and maintained over millennia by generations of farmers. It is a heritage that goes beyond the mere production of food. It reflects the evolution of humankind, its interrelationships with nature and the lifestyles that people have led.”
Patrons present at the launching of the International Monuments and Sites Day Exhibition and Book Launch (above). Patrons viewing a section of the International Monuments and Sites Day exhibition (right).
Dr. James G. Rose, Director of Culture launching the booklet entitled “Monuments and Sites in Guyana”.
In recognition of the significance of the day and as an indication of its commitment, the National Trust of Guyana launched the publication of a booklet entitled Monuments and Sites in Guyana. This booklet was launched on April 16, 2010 as well.
Mr. Alfred King, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Spor t presenting a copy of the Monuments & Sites booklet to Ms. Gwyneth George, Librarian, University of Guyana (left).
Trust News 2010 Page 3
OUR ACTIVITIES
Maintenance of Chateau Margot Chimney SiteThe Chateau Margot Chimney, the solitary remains of a former sugar factory, constructed by a brick layer, Antonio Gordon, from Buxton, East Coast Demerara is dated July 1, 1889. This Chimney stands at the front of the village from which its name is derived; Chateau Margot, some eight miles from the capital city.
This site represents an aspect of Guyana's industrial heritage, thus signifying a very important historical milestone. To this end, the National Trust of Guyana, cleaned and cleared the environs of the chimney on May 24, and August 25, 2010 making accessible to visitors desirous of having a personal view of the site.
Exhibition at Egbert Benjamin Centre in Linden
Before After
The National Trust of Guyana participated in a joint Department of Culture Exhibition in Linden [Region 10] under the theme Kaleidoscope of our cultural diversity. The exhibition was staged on June 14-18, 2010, in collaboration with the Linden Museum, at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition Centre.
The exhibition featured Guyana's Amerindian Heritage, African Heritage, Immigration and Indentureship, Guyana's Colonial Past, the History of Stamps, and the Struggle for Independence.
Dr. James G. Rose, Director of Culture a d d r e s s i n g t h e audience at the launching of the exhibition in Linden.
School children viewing the exhibition at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition Centre in Linden.
The National Trust of Guyana, with assistance from the Mayor and City Council and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited excavated a cannon in Waterloo Street on July 24, 2008. The cannon was subsequently cleaned, sandblasted and polished through the courtesy of Courtney Benn Contracting Services. This new acquisition to the nation's heritage collection was mounted on the lawns of the National Trust of Guyana in September 2009. On June 21, 2010 a plaque was inserted on the concrete base.
Inserting the plaque on the base that the cannon was mounted on June 21, 2010.
Plaque on Cannon in Our Compound
Designed & Edited by Nadia Madho
Contact us
The National Trust of GuyanaMinistry of Culture Youth & Sport
94 Carmichael StreetNorth Cummingsburg
GeorgetownTel (592) 225 5071Fax (592) 223 7146
EmailWebsite: www.nationaltrust.gov.gy
: nationaltrustgy@gmail.com
Trust News 2010Page 4
HERITAGE TRAIL
The Trust will continue to aggressively pursue its policy of
heritage preservation and conservation through carefully
supervised projects, particularly at Fort Nassau, Berbice
River in Region #10 and Fort Zeelandia and the Court of
Policy Hall at Fort Island in Region #3, two of Guyana's
National Monuments and pristine historical sites.
For 2010 the National Trust received a voted provision of
$13,980,000 to undertake rehabilitation and conservation
works which include: (1) construction of a sanitary block,
fence, a benab and the caretaker's house at Fort Nassau, (2)
construction of a benab, drains and the rehabilitation of
the concrete walkway at Fort Island and (3) the
rehabilitation of the brick wind mill and the construction
of the fence and foot path at Hogg Island.
Contracts were awarded and the works should be
completed by November 2010.
Participation in Children Summer Camp Programme
The National Trust of Guyana participated in the
National Museum's 2010 Children Summer
Camp Programme. On July 14 and 28, 2010 Ms.
Nirvana Persaud, Chief Executive Officer made a
presentation on “Monuments in Guyana” The
talk focused on the rules to be adopted when
visiting heritage sites as well as on the location of
the monuments in Georgetown. The exercise also
included a guided tour to a few monuments in
the City of Georgetown.
Heritage Preservation: Capital Works
Fort Nassau Site
Dutch Heritage Museum,
Fort Island (above)
Brick Wind Mill,
Hogg Island (above)
Fort Zeelandia,
Fort Island
(bottom right)
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