Birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, 1755 Offices of NHCS

NEVIS HISTORICAL AND

CONSERVATION SOCIETY

P.O. Box 563 Hamilton House

Charlestown, Nevis, Eastern Caribbean 00109

FIRST CLASS MAIL

JANUARY 11th—Hamilton birthday 11th– Hamilton scholarship tea party FEBRUARY Black History Month 15th– Fashion show @ Mt. Nevis Hotel Horse racing at Indian Castle 15th to 20th—History & Heritage Week 18th—Annual General Meeting @ Red Cross MARCH 1st—7th Annual Silent Auction @ Cliff Dwellers & Marshalls House & Garden Tour—To Be Announced

The Journal of The NEVIS HISTORICAL & CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Mission

The Nevis Historical and Conservation Society exists

to promote effective management of the

historical, cultural and natural resources of the

island of Nevis for the benefit of all of its people.

Issue 84 Sept-Jan 08/09

A Tribute to Lincoln Hoffman The late Lincoln Hoffman became a member of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society (NHCS) in 2002. Immediately he sought to familiarize himself with the aims, objectives and the existing pro-grammes of the Society. During that period the So-ciety was preparing a proposal to be submitted to the Nevis Island Administration reference the forma-tion of a National Trust. Lincoln’s experience and interest was aroused, and three years later he was elected Chairman of the National Trust Committee. His energy, keen interest, and willingness to share his expertise earned him the positions of Chairman of the Nelson Trafalgar Committee, member of the Human Resource Committee, and member of the Board of Directors. In 2007 Lincoln became a Life Member of the NHCS and in 2008 he was elected Vice President. The NHCS had a “dream”. A dream of purchasing the Trott House (located down town Charlestown) and transforming it into the “Nevis Heritage Centre”. Lincoln be-came a major part of this dream, was elected Chairman of this Committee and pur-sued this dream with a passion “larger than life”; he ensured that immediate steps were taken to share this dream with the entire Nevisian public at home and abroad. Receptions were held at various locations (The Four Seasons Resort Estates (Villas), The Nisbet Plantation Inn, Patio, The Red Cross Building, Old Manor Hotel and over-seas) to appraise Nationals, non nationals, expatriates, visitors, returning nationals, friends, NGO’s and other persons of interest, of the work of the Society and proposed plan for future development and expansion. These receptions were highly successful. People’s interest in the NHCS was aroused. Many positive comments and commitments were made and to Lincoln’s credit the NHCS gained a number of new members. He was convinced that the views and opinions of the public would provide avenues for the growth, awareness and advancement of the NHCS. I appeal to one and all, far and near, let us not erase Lincoln’s footprints! Let us keep his memory alive by making the “Nevis Heritage Centre” a REALITY. I am confident this would be a blessing in disguise and I picture a smiling Lincoln. Be reminded, “lost opportunities can never be regained”. (continued on page 4)

The Gathering Baobab Tree

Inside this issue:

Director’s Message 3

Biodiversity grant 5

Nevis Heritage 7

CIDA grant & Nevis Peak 8

Omar 9

MAC 11

Intern at workshop 13

Vice President of NHCS, Lincoln Hoffman R.I.P.

Nevis Historical and Conservation Society

OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD 2007- 2008 Clara Walters …………………………....President Jenny Lowery…………………...……….Secretary David Robinson……………...………....Treasurer Arthur Anslyn………………...………….Gov. Rep. Vacant …………...………….. Youth Rep.

Isabel Byron Tessa Howell Ken Evelyn Vince Hubbard

Morrice Tyrell Mackie Tross Almon Dasent Chris Thompson

STAFF

John Guilbert…………..……...Executive Director Paul Diamond……...…...Senior Technical Officer Gail Dore……….……Ag. Curator for Collections & Museums Gennifer Broadbelt…...Manager, Museum Shops Assistant Archivist Vacant ….....Shop Attendant, Membership Nicholette Walters……………….Business Officer

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Archives & Museums……....………Marcia Myers Membership Services…………….Beverly Parry Finance…………..………….. Chris Thompson Buildings and Grounds…..…....David Robinson Policies and Regulations…....……...Oral Martin Nevis Field Studies Centre…..….Paul Diamond Historian……..………..…….Vincent K. Hubbard Environmental Education….……...Miriam Knorr Historic Preservation………....Suzanne Gordon Youth Education……..….……… Vacant Conservation & Bio-diversity…...Miriam Knorr & Captain Arthur Anslyn

NEWSLETTER

Editor……………..……..………… Paul Diamond General e-mail………....…...nhcs@sisterisles.kn Web Page……………….....….. www.nevis-nhcs.org

NEVIS HISTORICAL

and CONSERVATION SOCIETY

Low Street, Charlestown

P.O. Box 563 Charlestown, Nevis Eastern Caribbean

Tel: 1 (869) 469-5786 Fax: 1 (869) 469-0274

Nelson Museum 1 (869) 469-0408 Fax: 1 (869) 469-0407

Clara Walters cwalters@nevis-nhcs.org

John Guilbert jguilbert@nevis-nhcs.org

Paul Diamond pdiamond@nevis-nhcs.org

Gail Dore gdore@nevis-nhcs.org

Gennifer Broadbelt

gbroadbelt@nevis-nhcs.org Nicholette Walters

nwalters@nevis-nhcs.org

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Are you an American taxpayer? If you are an American taxpayer, you can pay your membership fees and make a donation to the NHCS through NEVKIT, a charitable foundation established in 1986 for American taxpay-ers to support historical and conservation activities in the Eastern Caribbean. Please send your check, payable to NEVKIT with NHCS noted in memo section, for member-ship—cost noted in the box on the left (all but $5 is deductible) and a donation in the amount of $________for total check of $__________to: The NEVKIT FOUNDATION P.O. Box 484 Charlestown, Nevis Eastern Caribbean 00109

FOLLOW THE TRAIL TO THE NHCS...

Become a Member! You’ll receive:

...Newsletter emailed or snail mailed directly to you

...An active voice in Nevis’ environmental future

...Free use of archives and library

...Free admittance to museums

...10% discount on gift shop items

...Staff expertise concerning environmental issues

...Opportunity to become an Executive Board member HOW MUCH does it cost to become a member? ( ) Single Member EC $50.00 (US $20.00) ( ) Family Member EC $75.00 (US $30.00) ( ) Corporate Member EC $400 (US $150.00) ( ) Life Member EC $1350.00 (US $500.00) Plus EC $13.50/US$5.00 for postage outside of Nevis NAME____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS__________________________________________________ CITY______________________________ COUNTRY______________________

You’ll receive an acknowledgement from NEVKIT with our taxpayer identification by return mail.

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E. D.’s message, Continued from Page 3 The whole family of President Carter made Helene chuckle: "They were country. And I'm talking Lillian and Rosalynn both." It came out as the highest compliment. First Lady Nancy Reagan came looking for him in the kitchen one day. She wanted to remind him about the upcoming state dinner for German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. She told him he would not be working that night. "She said, 'You and Helene are coming to the state dinner as guests of President Reagan and myself.' I'm telling you! I believe I'm the only butler to get invited to a state dinner." Husbands and wives don't sit together at these events, and Helene was nervous about trying to make small talk with world lead-ers. "And my son said, 'Momma, just talk about your high school. They won't know the difference.' "The senators were all talking about the colleges and universities that they went to," she said. "I was doing as much talking as they were. "Had champagne that night," she said, looking over at her husband. He just grinned: He was the man who stacked the champagne at the White House. Colin L. Powell would become the highest ranking black of any White House to that point when he was named Reagan's na-tional security advisor in 1987. Condoleezza Rice would have that position under President George W. Bush. Gene Allen was promoted to maitre d' in 1980. He left the White House in 1986, after 34 years. President Reagan wrote him a sweet note. Nancy Reagan hugged him tight. Interviewed at their home last week, Gene and Helene speculated about what it would mean if a black man were elected president. "Just imagine," she said. "It'd be really something," he said. "We're pretty much past the going-out stage," she said. "But you never know. If he gets in there, it'd sure be nice to go over there again." They talked about praying to help Barack Obama get to the White House. They'd go vote together. She'd lean on her cane with one hand, and him with the other, while walking down to the precinct. And she'd get supper going afterward. They went over their election day plans more than once. "Imagine," she said. "That's right," he said. On Monday, Helene had a doctor's appointment. Gene woke and nudged her once, then again.. He shuffled around to her side of the bed. He nudged Helene again. He was all alone. "I woke up and my wife didn't," he said later. Some friends and family members rushed over. He wanted to make coffee. They had to shoo the butler out of the kitchen. The lady he married 65 years ago will be buried today. The butler cast his vote for Obama on Tuesday. He so missed telling his Helene about the black man bound for the Oval Office. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eugene Allen, 89, a retired White House butler, tries on his old tuxedo for a photo. Allen, who served eight presidents during a period when America’s racial history was being rewritten, is marvelling at the election of Barack Obama.

IN MEMORY OF Jenny Millerick from: Jules & Heidi Miller Richard & Carol Fowler Dr. & Mrs. Megid Stella Nokes

THANK YOU! Zourne Lausseure Vince Hubbard Thomas Fox William & Kathryn Fry Neena Mitchell In memory of Deborah Stewart from Margaret Staiger

JUMBLE SALE VOLUNTEERS—THANK YOU! Ken Evelyn, Barbara Lumsdon, Peter Willauer, John Andrewa, Alan Davis, Brett Durrans, Erika Guilbert, Anne Rose, Celia Gaskell, Bev Parry, Dave Robinson, Miriam Knorr, Carol Lynford, Mary Jane Weatherby, Leslie Brigham, Kathy Hardcastle, Marcia Myers, Suzanne Gordon, Jay & Dan, “Das”. There are too many donors of items to write in this tiny space, but we thank you all for your contributions! 3

A HISTORIC NEW BEGINNING FOR THE UNITED STATES I would like to use my space in this issue to share a story that brings back memories to me. In November, the United States made history by electing the first African American to become President. Being that I was born in Washington, D.C., my family, like many other African American families in the area worked in some form of gov-ernment capacity. For me, my godfather worked in maintenance on Capital Hill. One of his duties was to install the White House Christ-mas tree. I still have a few ornaments from Eisenhower’s tree. Also, my father worked in the White House kitchen for a while. As a child I used to go with them on weekends and was able to walk through places like the Smithsonian Institute and the Lincoln Memorial. Here is a story I want to share with you as we prepare to celebrate the coming inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. Now retired, he started when blacks were in the kitchen. By Wil Haygood November 7, 2008 Reporting from Washington -- For more than three decades, Eugene Allen worked in the White House, a black man unknown to the head-lines. During some of those years, harsh segregation laws lay upon the land. He trekked home every night to his wife, Helene, who kept him out of her kitchen. At the White House, he worked closer to the dirty dishes than to the Oval Office. Helene didn't care; she just beamed with pride. President Truman called him Gene. President Ford liked to talk golf with him. He saw eight presidential administrations come and go, often working six days a week. "I never missed a day of work," Allen said. He was there while racial history was made: Brown vs. Board of Education, the Little Rock school crisis, the 1963 March on Wash-ington, the cities burning, the civil rights bills, the assassinations. When he started at the White House in 1952, he couldn't even use the public restrooms when he ventured back to his native Virginia. "We had never had anything," Allen, 89, recalled of black America at the time. "I was always hoping things would get better." In its long history, the White House -- note the name -- has had a complex and vexing relationship with black Americans. "The history is not so uneven at the lower level, in the kitchen," said Ted Sorensen, who served as counselor to President Kennedy. "In

A message from the Executive Director

-John Guilbert

the kitchen, the folks have always been black. Even the folks at the door -- black." Before Gene Allen landed his White House job, he worked as a waiter at a resort in Hot Springs, Va., and then at a country club in Washington. He and wife Helene, 86, were sitting in the living room of their Washington home. Her voice was musical, in a Lena Horne kind of way. She called him "Honey." They met at a birthday party in 1942. He was too shy to ask for her number, so she tracked his down. They married a year later. In 1952, a lady told him of a job opening in the White House. "I wasn't even looking for a job," he said. "I was happy where I was working, but she told me to go on over there and meet with a guy by the name of Alonzo Fields." Fields was a maitre d', and he immediately liked Allen. Allen was offered a job as a "pantry man." He washed dishes, stocked cabinets and shined silverware. He started at $2,400 a year. There was, in time, a promotion to butler. "Shook the hand of all the presidents I ever worked for," he said. "I was there, honey," Helene said. "In the back maybe. But I shook their hands too." She was referring to White House holi-day parties, Easter egg hunts. They have one son, Charles, who works as an investigator with the State Department.. "President Ford's birthday and my birthday were on the same day," he said. "He'd have a birthday party at the White House. Everybody would be there. And Mrs. Ford would say, 'It's Gene's birthday too!' " And so they'd sing a little ditty to the butler. And the butler, who wore a tuxedo to work every day, would blush. "Jack Kennedy was very nice," he went on. "And so was Mrs. Kennedy." He was in the White House kitchen the day Kennedy was slain. He got an invitation to the funeral. But he volunteered for other duty: "Somebody had to be at the White House to serve every-one after they came from the funeral." Continued on page 18

The Nevis Historical & Conservation Society (NHCS) in associa-tion with The French Embassy to the OECS Member States (based in St. Lucia) is pleased to announce our support in join-ing their new Strabon Project to promote local cultural, heritage and tourism related activities. This project is a Web-based informa-tion portal (launched the 1st of De-cember 2008) that aims to highlight Caribbean heritage in general and of St. Kitts and Nevis in particular. It takes its roots in a similar project, launched in 2002 in the Mediterra-nean Region (http://www.strabon.org/edito/index.php?lang=en ). A section of the Strabon website will be dedicated to Nevis to document and advertise many of the cultural, heritage and tourism related activities that the NHCS and its local partners are engaged in. The Nevis section will contain articles and photos detailing ongoing projects in archaeology, oral history, biodiversity, marine science, environ-mental issues and other important aspects of local culture.

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The Strabon Project includes an initial grant of $5,500 EC to the NHCS that will to be used to support the development of the pro-gramme, specifically in regards providing for local students to get actively involved in the project. The NHCS is proud and pleased to be a part of this new partner-

ship with the French Govern-ment and looks forwards to par-ticipating and expanding this exciting relationship in the com-ing months. It is hoped the opportunities offered by this grant, combined with the opportunities opened by recent grants from both the Ca-nadian and British High Com-missions on Barbados which are currently being used for stu-dent training, will allow the NHCS to become a model for other small island's culture and heri-tage projects. For more information on the Strabon Project, you can contact the NHCS at 469-5786 (Hamilton

Museum) or 469-0408 (Museum of Nevis History) Or visit the Nevis section of the Strabon website at http://saint-kitts-nevis.strabon-caraibes.org John Guilbert, Executive Director, NHCS

THE NHCS JOINS THE FRENCH STRABON PROJECT

David Robinson, Treasurer of the NHCS, signs the Strabon Agreement with Geraldine Suire of the

French Embassy, St. Lucia

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDS OF TIME: TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN HOFFMAN (Continued from Frontage) Lincoln was taken from us suddenly, and although his time with the NHCS was short I hope that the footprints he left in the sands will not be washed away with the tide of disappointment, financial crisis, differences of opinions and any other deterrents, but, will forever remain as a symbol of his dedication, commitment, sincerity, calm disposition, generosity and positive approach. During my stint as President of the NHCS, I enjoyed working with Lincoln as Vice President. He made it comfortable, interesting and worth-while. He brought out the best in the lives of those he touched. I must mention that less than an hour before he died, we had a very pleas-ing conversation in the vicinity of the “Port Road” during our morning exercise. (Muffin I have resumed my early morning “Walk” thanks to you.) Permit me to record thanks to his many friends who sent monetary donations to the NHCS in memory of Lincoln. To the family, thank you for sharing Lincoln with the NHCS, we treasure the memory; may his soul rest in eternal peace and light perpetual shine upon him. May God bless us with good health and success throughout 2009. Clara Walters President NHCS

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The Nevis Historical & Conservation Soci-ety (NHCS) on Sunday February 15, 2009 presented an exciting fashion show at the Mount Nevis Hotel. Models wearing excit-ing vivid Caribbean colors and fabrics that flowed with the trade winds, performed be-fore a small but appreciative audience.

The models made several appearances in swim wear, batik, African wear and casual wear. Esther Brookes, also known as Queen Nzingha along with Sandra Bowrin, owner of Fashion Caribe, combined their efforts to produce the high quality fashion show in conjunction with the Nevis Historical and Conservation Soci-ety.

The event which began twenty-six (26) years ago forms part of the NHCS fund raising efforts with proceeds going to-wards the conservation and preservation of the Nevisian heritage. President of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society, Mrs. Clara Walters speaking after the event, called on all in atten-dance to become members of the NHCS and to assist in the efforts to ensure that the Nevisian heritage remains intact.

The above is a report from www.NevisPages.com , the only correction is that this is the 13th show, not the 26th. A big thanks to coordinator Tessa Howell, Ali of CHOICE, The Mt. Nevis Hotel, the NHCS staff, Vaughn Anslyn, and many other members and supporters for an-other successful show.

FASHION SHOW VALENTINE CARIBBEAN EASE BY STAFF

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NEVIS AS WE SEE HER: WE GOIN’ GOOD BY ROSEMARY SULLIVAN

Nevis as We See Her: We goin’ good Is the second book in a series of oral history (people’s stories) with photographs and is on Nevis since November 2008. “Nevis as We See Her: Goin’ to come back” was the first book which was launched in 2005. This project began over forty years ago when I worked at Expo ‘67 in Montreal as a production assistant for “Radio, TV and Film” for the Expo Corporation. How blessed I was to meet so many people and have an opportunity to interview them (listen to their stories) from Duke Ellington to Richard Attenborough to Leonard Cohen to Ravi Shankar to Faye Dunaway (Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde) to Wilson Pickett to Buckminster Fuller, to Peter, Paul and Mary and on and on. The last interviews I did at Expo, were with all the friends I had made from countries all over the world. Clips from hours and hours of listening ended up in a CBC radio two hour special on Expo ‘67. These stories have remained in my heart.

When I found myself thirty years later, too sick to work, too tired to do much, I found Nevis. So “Nevis as We See Her” is a continuation of what opened my heart years ago and a celebration of the healing and love I received from all those I met on St. Kitts and Nevis who opened my heart and healed my body, helped me find a new life with my camera and tape recorder. After several years of coming to Nevis every winter, bringing back photographs for “Photo Give Away”, making note cards, and photo quilts and pillows, I was urged and supported to create the first book in the series “Nevis as We See Her” by Mary Jo Cannon and all those who participated in Book I. During the process of creation, there were eager young people who accompanied me on photo shoots and interviews. I continue to encourage them to create their own images and photos and creative projects. Recording “our present” is a great gift which can inspire our youth and inform future generation. It is something in which we can all participate. You might want to check out the website for Storycorps in the USA which collects peoples stories and archives them in the Library of Congress in Washing-ton, DC. Now Nevis can be proud to have it’s own Oral History Project and the expansion of the wonderful archive of images and re-cordings that has been set up at NHCS.

Book II of “Nevis as We See Her: We goin’ good” includes, not only stories and photographs, but the love and support of so many peo-ple on Nevis who shared their suggestions and ideas. It also includes photographs of Charles Seton, a New York photographer from the town where I grew up, who also fell in love with the island, and without whose support and design expertise, Book II could not have hap-pened. As a member of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society Oral History Project, I remain available to move forward the collecting of the stories and the beauty of Nevis…however I can be most useful. Walking photo tours with students after school, or with other “seniors” early in the am are some possible ideas. In 2009 I expect to be on Nevis for 4 months, and every year I hope my time on island will be longer. And in the meantime I am only as far away as my computer. Nevis is always close to my heart. Rosemary Willis Sullivan, rrainbow1996@yahoo.ca

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CANADIAN & UK GOVT PROVIDE BIODIVERSITY GRANTS By Paul Damond

In a recent ceremony on the grounds of The Nevis Historical and Con-servation Society (NHCS) Hamilton Museum, Charlestown, the Canadian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr. David Marshall, visiting from his office on Barbados, presented the new Nevis Biodiversity Project with a cheque for $32,000 EC. The grant is to be used for purchasing equipment for the new Biodiversity Resource Lab, currently being constructed at the NHCS' Bellevue Museum Facility. Due to the effects of local development, global climate change and the subse-quent loss of habitat, the NHCS' Biodiversity Project seeks to identify and catalogue the existing species of all flora and fauna on Nevis as an indispen-sable aid in the struggle to conserve them. A component of the project will also be dedicated to marine science and habitats, particularly to study and understand the health of the islands endangered coral reef environments. A dedicated website for the project has already been established (www.bio-diversity-nevis.org) and local students are being trained and tasked with its updating and maintenance, under NHCS supervision. Also key to the project is the establishment of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) survey and mapping unit within the Biodiversity Project. A portion of the Canadian grant will be used to purchase the necessary GPS hardware and software required to construct accurate survey maps and ulti-mately computer models with which to better understand such things as beach erosion, shrinking coastal wetlands, deforestation and other crucial issues of environmental concern. This funding also compliments a recent grant the Biodiversity Project re-ceived from the British High Commission on Barbados of $6,000EC, to provide technical and scientific training for local students who are tak-ing part in the project, particularly in providing GIS technical training for senior high school students whose participation in the project is one of the keystones of the Biodiversity Project as a whole. His Excellency, Mr. Marshall praised the NHCS for the project that may well become an environmental model for other small islands, and he particularly liked the fact that local students play such a crucial and integral part of the whole project. You can view His Excellency’s speech and the presentation of the grant at our NHCS dedicated You-Tube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/NevisHistorical Also at the ceremony were representatives from the Nevis Island Administration who thanked Mr. Marshall both for the Biodiversity grant and for another recent grant CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) provided to the island's Solid Waste Management Authority for a heavy duty tyre bailer. This grant was for $120,000 EC, and was supplemented by additional support from the Four Sea-sons Resort and TDC Ltd. Also speaking at the ceremony were Mrs. Clara Walters, NHCS President, Capt Arthur Ansyln, NIA representative to the NHCS Executive Board, The Hon. Carlisle Powell, Junior Minister for Communications, Ms. Carlyn Lawrence, General Manager of Nevis Solid Waste Man-agement Authority, Mr. Paul Diamond, NHCS Senior Technical Officer, and Mr. Romel Gaskin, 6th Form student and member of the Biodi-versity Team.

NHCS President Clara Walters accepts the grant from His Excellency Mr. David Marshall.

Check our website www.bio-diversity-nevis.org for full details

ARCHIVAL ACTION By Gail Dore, Ag. Curator, collections & Museum

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Ecotourism is inspired primarily by the natural history of an area and includes the indigenous cultures. It is tourism that is guided by pro-grams that helps to minimize the negative aspect of conventional tourism on the environment and therefore enhances the cultural integrity of the local community. It promotes rural development. Ecotourism is very beneficial to local communities and provides many opportunities for local proprietors who use the local resources available. We continue to acquire new books and documents for our Archives and Specialized Library Collection. We say thank you to the following persons who continue to contribute towards the development of our collection. Guilbert Tyrell – Leeward Island – Department of Extra-Mural Studies Leeward Islands U.C.W.I. /1961 Sharon Price – RARE Pride Handbook/ A Guide for Inspiring Conservation in your Community. Songs of RARE Pride David Robinson – Stapleton Letters by W. Noel Sainbury, edited by. Calendar of States Papers: Colonial 161-1668 & 1669-1674 (CD) edited by W. Noel Sainbury. Protected Interest? The Fortification of Nevis West Indies from 17th Century to Present by Tessa Mach-ling. Calendar of States Papers: Colonial 1675-1676 & 1677-1680 (CD). Edited Noel Sainbury. Return of Owners land England1873 (CD) by Samuel Lewis. Calendar of States Papers, Colonial Series, America and the West Indies 1661-1668 & 1669-1674. David Small – Bristol University Archaeology Field Excavation Pinney’s Estate Nevis 2006 by Bristol University and various authors. Pin-ney’s Estate, St. Thomas Lowland, Nevis Archaeology evaluation /Oct 2006 by Cassie Newland. The Modern Pinney’s Estate, Nevis An historical account of seven sites by David Small. Pinney’s Estate, St. Thomas’s lowland Nevis 2006 ( Pinney’s Yard, Haynes Work, Nugent Village) Cynthia Munro Pyle –Photographs 1967-1971 (CD) by Cynthia Munro Pyle Barbara Alkiewicz – Parts of a Camel Stable form Montavers Estate Visitors to the Archives will be shared in the next issue of the Gathering.

Notes on Nevisians at the Battle of Trafalgar... In 2005 as part of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the UK National Archives produced a list of all of the seamen who served on the thirty three ships of Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar. Amongst the names are two young men born in Nevis: Walter Brown, aged 24, Ordinary Seaman, serving on HMS Ajax; James Mills, aged 26, Ordinary Seaman, serving on HMS Prince. Both survived the battle and went on to who knows what. It is interesting to consider that they would have been young boys at the time Nelson was stationed in Nevis around the time of his marriage in 1787, could there have been some hero worship of the young Captain Nelson, which resulted in them joining the navy? or was it just economic necessity along with a desire to see the world outside? A search of the database came up with a further forty nine seamen born in the Eastern Caribbean: 2 from Tortola, 6 from Antigua, 3 from Guadeloupe, 1 from Dominica, 14 from Martinique, 1 from St.Vincent, 13 from Barbados and 9 from Gre-nada, a further 24 were born in Jamaica, others were from the Bahamas and San(to) Domingo Amongst the 686 cosmopolitan crew members of HMS Ajax, Walter Brown had companions from Jamaica, Martinique, Santo Domingo, and one Thomas Diamond from Tortola. James Mills on HMS Prince, was not so fortunate, of its' 700 crew, only two were listed from the West Indies. Did they ever return to Nevis?

NEVISIANS AT THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR BY JENNY LOWERY

SHOP TALK BY GENNIFER BROADBELT

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WELCOME TO SHOPPE TALK “The Christmas season is over, just take a look at these interesting books that are in stock.” We offer the best bargin on gifts for the entire family. Step into our gift shop today!!!!!!”

“Why is everyone talking to Philippa?” The authur vividly draws her inspiration on how an English lady whose life on England was not even living in the middle class, but as soon as she arrived on Nevis, wealth was all hers. Philippa loved Nevis so much that she never returned to her home country “Mother England.” “She loved the luxurious life on Saddle Hill, and was buried there. Roland Archibald knew the his-tory of Saddle Hill and its operation in the early eighteenth century and he too was drawn to the life on Saddle Hill so Roland said, “ I come everyday to talk to her (Philippa).” “When I die I am going to be buried here too.” After delving into histori-cal records on both sides of the Atlantic, the author followed Philippa’s elusive trail and uncovered a romantic saga of an inspiring life, where tenacious courage and unflagging energy overcame appalling odds. Gradually she came to understand not only why her guide had spoken the words he had, but why Philippa had acquired such iconic status that even today, people climb to the magnificent viewpoint on Saddle Hill and talk to her.

Here on Nevis this book is being used by students who are preparing for their History Examination but it is compulsory that the School Base Assessment (SBA) is required. The contents of this book are: Migration, History and Environment in the Commonwealth Caribbean The contemporary Migration Cultures of St. Kitts and Nevis Slaves, Slavery and Plantation Ecology The Post-slavery Migration Adaptation To Bermuda and Santo Domingo and Back Again Journey to the Metropoles Migration as Livelihood: Response, Continuity, and Survival The author’s perspective is broad. He has written a socio-economic history of St. Kitts and Nevis since colonization began. This book is highly recommended to anyone who would like to understand the increasing demands for basic liveli-hood in other regions of the world.

This is a collection of poems with a true Nevisian Flavour for the family table. The author uses rhythm and rhyme to capture the readers mind. Every poem reminds oneself how blessed it is to experience the gift of nature.

Do you know this picture? The first 3 Correct responses will receive HOW ABOUT POETRY FOR DESSERT? We need the name of the building. Where it is located, and who owned it at the turn of the century?

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SANDWATCH NEVIS PRESENTS ON BARBADOS BY RACHEL YEARWOOD, FORM III, LYN JEFFER SCHOOL

Stefan Murrell and Rachel Yearwood, Sand-watchers of the Lyn Jeffers School, Nevis, trav-elled to Barbados from the 4th of November to the 9th of November for a conference on Global Warm-ing and Climate Change. Stefan and Rachel, along with Mrs. Miriam Knorr, Sandwatch co-ordinator for Nevis, represented Nevis in the line up of countries that took part in the conference. During this confer-ence, they were given information on how climate

change is affecting and will affect the Caribbean. They also participated in workshops aimed at edu-cating youth around the Caribbean on how to “get the word out” about climate change using different mediums. These workshops were for Drama, I.T,

Video, and Journalism/Storytelling. Climate Change is a serious problem affecting our planet, and even if we cannot stop it completely, with enough widespread knowledge, we can slow it down and stop the pollution of our countries. The students from the various islands presented information about the different environmental problems in their country and what they are doing or trying to do to reverse these problems. They were also given information on how climate change will be affecting us by the end of the century. For example, by 2099, some Caribbean islands might be submerged in the sea. Ocean temperatures will rise by a few degrees, bleaching and killing the corals which are needed for tourism, fishing, and marine ecosystems. There will also be a high increase in the number of Category 3 – 5 hurri-canes, along with floods and droughts. After the conference, the students in Sandwatchers Nevis have decided to enter the Sandwatchers video contest, and get the word out with pamphlets, flyers, videos, and presentations to the children of the Lyn Jeffers Primary and Secondary schools. They have already been interviewed by VON Radio and for internet news services in Nevis.

Form 4 students Miss U. Collins and Mr. H. Pollard of the Lyn Jeffers school, Nevis are featured ‘foreign correspondents’ in a video webcast news show, currently being broadcast on the internet. The webcast news is part of the Global Coalition Project, which is organized and produced by teacher Bill Reilly and his students at the Bethlehem Central Mid-dle School in the town of Delmar, New York. Every month they put together a video news show using students all over the world who send in their own stories, videos and photographs; it’s a bit like CNN for kids. The submitted video clips and photos tell people about the projects and things that students are doing in their schools and countries. For example, The Lyn Jeffers students discuss the rise of crime on Nevis, Independence celebrations, Lethal Yellow coconut disease and the damage the Sea Bridge Car

Ferry suffered during Hurricane Omar. You can see the video webcast at... http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/middle/Global/global.htm This is the November 2008 Broadcast - and in addition to this video they also have news and videos from students in Kazakh-stan, Poland, Portugal, Mordovia, Russia, Belize, The Philippines, France and the U.S.A. Over 15,000 students in 40 countries regularly view this webcast, so we hope that Nevis students will become regular participants.

Local Students Take Part in ‘Video Webcast’

Nevis students Rachel Yearwood and Stefan Murrell attended the Sandwatch Cool Youth Climate Change Workshop on Barbados,Nov ‘08

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A NEVIS HERITAGE BOOK PROPOSED BY PAUL DIAMOND

As part of the NHCS “Oral History and Verbal Patrimony Pro-ject”, we will soon be setting up a small documentary film studio at our Bellevue facility. In addition to video interviewing older members of our communities to learn about life on Nevis in the past, we also wish to preserve any old photographs, slides or even 8mm/16mm films. As part of the recent $20,000 US grant that UNESCO gave to the Oral History Project for the purchasing of video equipment and accessories, we also purchased equipment for the digitization of old photos, slides and movies. It is our intention to offer this ’digitization service’ for free to all members of the community with old photographs and related materials. We will scan each of photos and other materials, and copy them onto two CD’s or DVD’s, one copy for the owner and one copy for the NHCS Archives. In this way copies of the materials will be safeguarded against future loss In most cases we should be able to scan your photos etc, while you wait. So if you wish to have a back-up copy of your families photographic history, please contact us for details.

GOT ANY OLD PHOTOS OR FILMS OF NEVIS? BY PAUL DIAMOND

Last month I was giving a presentation at an environmental conference on Barbados and as a token of appreciation, the workshop hosts presented me with a "coffee table" book called "Bygone Barbados" as a gift. The book basically has one old sepia tone photo of Barbados on each page, taken in late 1800's and early 1900's, along with a brief paragraph or two explaining what they depict. So as my office is actually located in the NHCS (Nevis Historical & Conservation Society) archives area of the Nelson Museum, it gave me the idea to investigate doing something similar for Nevis history and culture, especially as it ties in perfectly with our UNESCO spon-sored Nevis Oral History & Patrimony Project (www.nevisoralhistory.org) Unfortunately our archives only have a handful of suitable photos, so we have started to email our members, friends, colleagues and Nevisians in general with the idea of launching a Nevis wide search for old photos, that I am sure many of our members and citizens have stored in old albums, shoe boxes and Tupperware containers across the island. We would like to make this a community effort, with all contributors given full accreditation, plus copies of the photos could be preserved in the archives too. If you think this would be a project that you wouldn't mind helping out with, and lending us copies of your family photos (fully accredited of course) then we would love to explore the matter with you further. The first contributor to this new photo essay book has already come forward and sent us some excellent family photos from her home in Oxford, England. Mrs. Anne Huggins Leaver sent us copies of several photos of grandfather's family and their home, The Longstone House, at the turn of the last century. Copies and explanations of these photos will be posted on our Nevis Oral History Project website soonest. If you would like to become involved with this project please contact the NHCS at Hamilton House or the Museum of Nevis History.

The NHCS Archives are making free digital copies of old Nevis photos and slides. If you have some, please let us know!

Selected photos will be featured on Community TV and perhaps even a new Nevis Heritage book

Mrs. Leaver’s Grandfather & Father (the little boy) taken around 1910

CIDA GRANT BUYS TYRE BAILER FOR NEVIS BY JOHN GUILBERT

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NHCS SUPPORTS NEVIS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMEMNT WITH A GRANT FOR RECYCLING. In support of the Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority, the Nevis Historical & Conservation Society has obtained a grant for EC$112, 000.00 from the Canadian Fund (CIDA) which is based in Barbados. The funds will be used to help pay for equipment that will bale old tires, package plastic bottles and cardboard. This ma-chine will enable the Solid Waste facility to package these items for shipment to other Caribbean destinations that recycle these items. General Manager of Solid Waste Management, Carlyn Lawrence, has purchased the equipment with the majority of the funds pro-vided by NHCS, and the remainder from N.I.A.. This is not the first time that the two organizations have teamed up. The NHCS facili-tated another grant for a waste oil incinerator with the support from the British High Commission in 2004. Shipping transportation for both of these projects was provided by the Four Seasons Estates. And, the groups work and partner on major island clean up campaigns annually.

Carlyn Lawrence and John Guilbert making remarks at the tyre bailer ceremony

NEWFOUND DEVELOPMENT pays a visit to NHCS: Robert Scott and George Rolf called on NHCS Di-rectors to discuss their project here on Nevis. The new project will include a golf course, which is different from the old plan. Mr. Scott responded in a memo after the meeting, “It was an extremely useful exercise for us to better understand the priorities of the Society and the information that currently exists with David Small. We are keen to incorporate all initiatives with respect to conservation and historical/ecological pres-ervation, including future recommendations with respect to tree selection, indigenous planting and historic preservation zones. Accordingly, we will continue to move forward with our design concepts, fully cognizant of the above.”

NevisPeakProject is a free e-mail group established under the aus-pices of the Nevis Department of Physical Planning, Natural Re-sources and Environment to promote discussion and open exchange of information among residents of NEVIS who are interested in the development of protected areas on the island. At the time of its estab-lishment, the list was intended to operate for only a few months dur-ing a project led by Island Resources Foundation to characterize and design an implementation strategy for a protected area. This project is supported by a grant from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat through its Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (OECS-ESDU), in partnership with the USAID which is implementing the OECS Protecting the Eastern Caribbean Region’s Biodiversity (PERB) Project. This e-mail discussion group is moderated by Island Resources Foun-dation – messages are posted directly to the discussion list, simply by addressing the message to <nevispeakproject@yahoogroups.com .

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NHCS INTERN ATTENDS BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOP BY ROANN EUSBE, NHCS INTERN, BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

The MAC Meeting (contined from page 10) The outgoing President Ms. Leteke Witteveen then gave the Presidential Report. In her remarks she encouraged MAC members to work together on common policies and legislation and expounded on the need to reinforce the use of museums as centers of education and research. Mr. Nigel Saddler presented a chronological comprehensive Forward Plan for 2009-2011 for MAC. Some of the topics dis-cussed were the UNESCO Slave Route Project, a project which started in 1999-2001. All members of MAC were encouraged to partici-pate and have their project completed for a presentation at the next AGM. Some other topics for discussion were Creating a Caribbean Museum Directory and Questionnaire, The introduction of bi- annual MAC magazine which would be placed on Mac’s website. Training for MAC members, a travelling exhibition, Membership, MAC’s Secretariat and others. On Friday 14th November when MAC meeting convened, the new board and officers were introduced. This was followed by Dr. Reg Mur-phy of Antigua, who did a presentation on the UNECSO Slaves Route Project that he had completed. Out of what was a very interesting and informative meeting, MAC made a resolution to advocate on behalf of its members that government throughout the Caribbean promote and enforce legislation and actions to protect museums and other historical sites. The meeting came to a close with an excursion to Nevis, “Queen of the Caribbean’. The activity was organized by the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society with a luncheon at the historic Cottle Church. Cottle Church is the only church of its kind built in the Caribbean by a plantation manager, Mr. John Thomas Cottle to worship with his slaves, a scenic tour of historic Nevis then followed.

On December 9th – 11th 2008 in Port of Spain Trinidad I attended a workshop held at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre. It included 32 other participants and was hosted locally by the Crop-per Foundation for the Caribbean Region entitled, ‘Caribbean Biodiversity Indicators Capacity Development Workshop.’ We explored issues related to the suc-cessful development and implementation of biodiver-sity indicators including: raising the awareness and developing capacity for the production and use of biodi-versity indicators, for deci-sion-making and reporting by countries in the Caribbean region, with a particular focus on the 4th National Reports to the CBD due in March 2009. As a Caribbean student and a member of the Nevis His-torical and Conservation Society (Biodiversity Team), it is of great interest that I accrue the skills and understandings of biodiversity indicators in order to develop our country and the entire Caribbean region. From this experience I developed many skills, a greater interest and a clear understanding on biodiversity. Additionally I adapted good communication and observational skills which I am sure will stick with me in long term as well as short term. It was very impressing to meet individuals who shear the same interests as me and to learn

from them as they learn a few things from me. It was also interest-ing to learn about the processes in developing indicators, using data, how important indicators could be to biodiversity, the different partnerships in biodiversity indicators, how to monitor and report

indicators and much more. This workshop had a combination of training, develop-ment, team - build-ing, communica-tions, motivation and planning thus, my involvement in-creased the sense of empowerment, and will assist in the development of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Soci-ety (Biodiversity Team) in a more productive way, especially in indica-tor development, using the tools and

techniques I’ve accrued during the workshop. This experience would help me in supporting my team in using indicators to identify and catalogue species of all flora and fauna on Nevis to conserve them, which is our striving mission. Ms. Eusebe’s trip to the Biodiversity Workshop was funded in part by the Biodiversity Projects Training Grant recently pre-sented to the NHCS by the British High Commission, Barbados

Representatives from 14 Caribbean Nations attended the Trinidad workshop, including two from Nevis (NHCS) Jenny Lowery & Roann Eusube

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NEW HERITAGE TRAIL BROCHURE

The NHCS is working with noted local graphic artist Mary Kelly to design a new fold-out brochure to high-light The Nevis Heritage Trail that extends around the island, and points out to visitors and locals, some of the major points of historical interest on Nevis. You may have noticed the distinctive blue and green ’Heritage Trail” signs around the island that indicate the various forts, churches, great house ruins and other places of historic significance around Nevis. (The trail and signage was provided by a grant from the OECS in 2004) The NHCS hopes that this new brochure will be of particular use to local taxi’s and tour guides, as well as to visitors and locals who wish to explore Nevis’s rich historical and cultural past on their own. The brochure will include an easy to understand map of Nevis, indicating not only the locations of the various sites but also provide a brief outline of the purpose and history of the twenty five (25) sites that make up the Nevis Heritage Trail. The brochure will soon be available to the public, hotels and the tourism office either directly or through the NHCS two museums. Below - a draft of the new Nevis Heritage Trail map

Although the physical damages caused by Omar are now gone; the Sea Hustle is back to work; the sand has returned to the beaches; there are still lingering effects. It is still uncertain when the Four Seasons will reopen. October? Rumors of lay offs run rampant around the island; and the effects of the economic crisis hits Nevis as well. We have seen ‘downsizing’ of the Nevis Tour-ism Authority—It was a pleasure working with Garcia Hendrickson, we already miss her. Another rumor has it that work permits are only being renewed for government workers who require them. Looks like we need to start validating the rumor mill. What’s not a rumor is that the Nevis Equestrian Centre, which receives 80% of its business yearly from the Four Seasons, will be closing its stables in the very near future ( Anybody want a horse or two? ). The price of a 50# bag of horse feed went from $25.00 to $41.00 without any warning. And, of course the Minister of Trade never re-turned any of my calls. I’m sure all of Nevis is hurting right now, just like the rest of the world. Now’s the time for us to start looking for ways to live a bit differently than we are used to. We need a strategy to keep the tourist coming, even if it means RE-DUCING our prices, not RAISING them like the Supply Office. They say Nevis caters to ‘high end’ tourism, well maybe we need to lower the bar and get some cash flow back in the country. In today’s news there are stories of strikes and riots in Guadeloupe and Martinique, because of higher food and fuel prices. It doesn’t take long for something like that to spread. Hopefully government and civil society leaders will make the right choices to lead us through this time of concern.

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HURRICANE OMAR HITS NEVIS HARDER THAN WE THOUGHT BY JOHN GUILBERT

The Sea Hustler on the beach near Chevy’s

Penny’s Beach looking north

JUMBLE SPELLS SUCCESS! On Valentine’s Day a few of our members held a Jumble Sale on the grounds of Hamilton House. According to team leaders Bev Parry and Celia Gaskell, they made a whopping EC$4,330.00! Not bad for a days work! But, let me just say it took them more than a day to collect, store, display and sell all of this wonderful STUFF! Mem-bers like these mean so much to us and we wouldn’t be where we are today if we didn’t have this kind of support. See their names on page 18. THANK YOU!

Looking Back On April 12, 1908, the Colonial Administration moved the hospital and poor house from a dilapi-dated building in Charlestown to Queen’s House and named the establishment Alexandra Hospi-tal after Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Ed-ward VII.

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20TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION OF THE CARIBBEAN

BY GAIL DORE

The NHCS Updates its Online Video Channel In our ongoing battle to keep up with, and make use of new and emerg-ing technology and media, the NHCS is pleased to announce it has started its own dedicated Video Channel on YouTube at... www.youtube.com/user/NevisHistorical Though still in its early stage of development, the video channel features short videos demonstrating many aspects and facets of our various ongoing projects and special events. The site is updated regularly and we hope you will give it a view and let us know what you think. (left: Capt Arthur Anslyn interviews Miss Geraldine Suire of the French Embassy, St. Lucia )

The MAC meeting convened in St. Kitts from the 11th – 14th November, 2008 under the theme ‘Recovering the Heritage of the Caribbean’. The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society in association with the St. Christopher Heritage Society hosted the meeting which was held at the Frigate Bay Resort. On Tuesday 11th November, MAC Board met to discuss and review matters pertaining to the association. A tour of the National Museum, welcome reception and cultural presentation were the activities planned for the evening. The Opening Ceremony was held on Wednesday 12th No-vember, chaired by the Mr. Kenneth A. L. Martin, honourary Secretary of the Brimstone Hill fortress and National Park Society. In his brief remarks he welcomed the MAC participants to St. Kitts. Sir Probyn Innis gave the welcome address and warmly welcomed all the participants to the 20th Annual General Meeting of MAC. The out going President of MAC, Ms. Ieteke Wittwveen of Curacao brought words of welcome on behalf of MAC. The Honourable Denzil Douglas, in his very eloquent presentation spoke of the commitment to the cause of the preservation of history to the people of the region, the work and relevance of the association (MAC). He also spoke of the linkage between tourism and our heritage, the importance of working together and what heritage meant to our people. He also noted that he is certain that the holistic ap-proach to nation building in the Caribbean must be included in large meas-ures, our heritage profile. Following the opening ceremony was a very interesting panel discussion. Mrs. Victoria Borg O’Flaherty, Archivist of the National Archive on St. Kitts and Mrs. Claudette Jenkins, Magistrate, Registrar of High Court and Regis-trar of International Property were the two panelists. Mr. Larry Armony, Director of the Brimstone Fortress and National Park Society moderated the discussion. Mrs. O’Flaherty spoke about history as it relates more to St. Kitts and Nevis. She spoke of the importance of Archives, how it interlocks with our heritage. She also spoke of the records belonging to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, and where some of these records are kept. In her presentation she spoke about records been repatriated, and we the people do not have the proper storage facilities to preserve them. In closing the question was poised, “do we stop making history? “ At the end of the presentations participants at the meeting partici-pated in the discussion. At the end of an excellent presentation and discussion the participants left with a wealth of knowledge. When the meeting was called to order on the 13th November, 2008 by Mr. David Hayne, Secretary, greeted everyone with warm words of welcome, and the Treasurer Mr. Cyril Saltibus gave the Treasure’s Report. (continued on page 13)

The MAC Meeting Delegates Tour Cottle Church, Nevis

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NEVIS HERITAGE CENTRE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN □ I pledge the following to support the NHCS Capital Campaign. I am making my total pledge below payable in equal installments over __ years. ___$400,000 ___$200,000 ___$100,000 _ __$50,000NEVIS HISTORICAL AND CONSERVATION SOCIETY □ I pledge the following to support the NHCS Capital Campaign. I am making my total pledge below payable in equal installments over __ years. ___$400,000 ___$200,000 ___$100,000 ___$50,000 ___$10,000 ___$5,000 ___ $1,000 ___ other □ I believe in the NHCS but am not prepared at this time to contribute to the Capital Campaign. Enclosed is my contribution to the ongoing work of the NHCS. □ I am not interested in the work of the NHCS. Please remove me from your mailing list. Name: _________________________________ e-mail address:________________________ Nevis address and phone: ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Foreign address and phone: ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Signature: _______________________________

For further information on this philanthropic opportunity, or to send in your pledge or contribution, please contact the NHCS at 469.5786, PO Box 563, Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies

For US tax-deductible contributions, make contributions payable to Nevkit and note NHCS Capital Campaign in the MEMO section. Nevkit is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization. You will receive our IRS # in the mail.

A Howard Pain drawing of our ‘dream’ centre