During an International Museum Day ceremony on Wednesday, an attendee peruses art on display at the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum. The exhibition, which focuses largely on Virgin Islands history, is open through the month. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG

When Rosie Smith was a child, she and her five siblings lived with their parents in a two-bedroom thatch house on Peter Island. Space was tight, she said, but they didn’t mind.

During an International Museum Day ceremony on Wednesday, an attendee peruses art on display at the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum. The exhibition, which focuses largely on Virgin Islands history, is open through the month. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG
Thatch homes no longer exist in the Virgin Islands, but residents can learn about them through the artwork and other items currently on display the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum.

Ms. Smith was among about 50 attendees at an opening ceremony for the exhibit, which was held May 18 in observance of International Museum Day.

“I really see my whole life here,” Ms. Smith said as she perused the art, most of which depicted historical scenes from the territory. “See the boats in that painting? That’s how they tied them back then.”

Thanks to museums, such historical scenes can be displayed for future generations, speakers said during the ceremony.
“The objective of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people,” said Dr. Marcia Potter, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture.

 

See the May 26, 2016 edition for full coverage.

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