After an extensive selection process the new director for the Turks and Caicos National Museum has been appointed. Since September 2007, Dr. Neal V. Hitch is the new museum director. Dr. Hitch is a historian, preservation architect, and a museum specialist, holding a Master's degree in Architecture and a Ph.D. in History. He specializes in 19th century life, culture, and architecture.
From 1997 until summer 2007 he worked for the Ohio Historical Society, a non-profit corporation providing historical services for the State of Ohio. He is a historic housing specialist and has worked on some of the Society’s premier restoration Projects. Dr. Hitch is widely published and was awarded the 2002 Anne de Fort-Menares Award by the Association for Preservation Technology International for his scholarly work on OHS restoration Projects.
Trouvadore - The Search Continues
In 2006 the Turks and Caicos National Museum, in conjunction with Ships of Discovery continued the survey work off East Caicos and for 2008 another expedition is planned.
The Government House (a.k.a. Old Commissioner's House and Government Guest House) and surrounding property is currently owned through a 99-year lease by the Turks & Caicos National Trust which has taken on the restoration of this extraordinary national asset as one of their ongoing projects.
Salt Cay was under Jamaica rule during the prime of the Government House. "The house was the seat of government for the island and home of the District Commissioner. Tea parties were held in the garden with the ladies dressed in white gloves and hats."1 Mrs. Alicia Wilson, a present day school teacher at the primary school on Salt Cay, was married to Clifford at St John's Anglican Church and the reception/wedding party was held at the Government House. It was the last wedding party held there, the date was December 18, 1976.
"The property is a prime example of Turks Islands architecture from the early 1800's. The hipped and gable-ended roof lines with no overhangs reflect a scarcity of materials in addition to mitigate hurricane damage. Broad overhangs are expensive to build and create a locus for hurricane winds to lift and carry roofs away. It is topped off with traditional cedar shingles and tin.
In a sensible design features inherited from the Bermudans, a stone kitchen with a classically designed chimney is contained in a separate structure away from the rest of the house. This allowed heat and danger created from cooking fires to be kept away from living quarters.
The entire property is surrounded by a traditional stone wall made from local stone and mortar prepared from crushed conch. The function of the wall and gates was to keep livestock out of the gardens while creating an intimate courtyard gathering space." 2
YOUR FUNDS ARE NEEDED
TO RESTORE THIS HISTORIC BUILDING
Checks should be made out to : The Turks and Caicos Preservation Foundation. Please include a printed donation form along with your check.
Checks from banks located within Turks and Caicos Islands should be sent to:
The Turks & Caicos Preservation Foundation
C/O Windmills Plantation
Salt Cay,
Turks & Caicos Islands,
BWI
Checks from banks other than in Turks & Caicos Islands should be sent to:
The Turks & Caicos Preservation Foundation
C/O Helen Krieble
6017 N. Villard Court
Parker, CO
80134
USA
All donations from U.S. citizens are tax deductable. The Turks & Caicos Preservation Foundation Inc. has a tax exempt status in the US and contributions made to the TCPF are deductible under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. Discover Turks & Caicos 2006, pg 185. From Salt and Sisal to Sun, Sea and Sand. The Evolution of the Turks and Caicos Architectural Vernacular.
Any written material, historical tidbit, photo, memoir and correction to what is presented is very welcome.
A big thank you to the Salt Cay community, as well as other visitors, friends and formal entities for their contribution to this project.
Turks & Caicos Preservation Foundation Inc. 2008. Contact Us
