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)