National Museum’s Education Officer Nasaria Chollette with John Gray High School’s Year 12 students on a recent tour of the Museum.

As part of their Heritage Day celebrations, Year 12 students of John Gray High School toured the National Museum in George Town on 12 December.

The Museum buildings are now open for guided tours, offering the public an opportunity to see the restored building in the “raw”, pending the installation of exhibits in first quarter 2009.

In mid-2008 the Museum completed its two-and-a-half-year restoration programme following damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004. During the process, the Museum was modernised, particularly with respect to introduction of technology necessary for a contemporary Museum, while careful attention was paid to preserving the building’s historical authenticity.

Students were conducted on the tours by Nasaria Chollette, Museum Education Officer, who said that students were particularly interested in the feasibility of sponsoring an exhibit at the Museum.

“They noticed the price tags attached to the rendering of each exhibit,” said Mrs Cholette, adding: “I explained that we are seeking corporate and community sponsorship for each exhibit and that sponsor’s name would be displayed in the Museum once exhibits are installed. They were excited by that possibility and though that perhaps they might be able to raise funds through a membership drive at their school in order to sponsor one of the exhibits.”

Mrs Chollette said that she was really impressed that the students took ownership for their own heritage and culture in that way.

“I think we gravely underestimate our young people in this country. On (the visit), they proved that once given the opportunity to shine, they can step up to the plate.”

The Education Officer, who is a former drama teacher at John Gray High School, said that during the tour students were particularly drawn to the picture of the first class of Triple C School hanging in the space that was occupied by this first secondary school of the Cayman Islands.

“They were also most excited by the submarine exhibit planned for the Natural History Gallery, and are enthusiastically looking forward to the installation of exhibits at the Museum in first quarter 2009 so that they can come out to see them,” Mrs Chollette said.

The Natural History Gallery, Cultural History Gallery, and the Audio-Visual Theatre will open in the first quarter of 2009. Following that, in April - June, the Museum will be installing the Changing Gallery (with revolving exhibits) and the Children Gallery.

“Visitors to the Museum during this transition period will therefore have an opportunity to witness history in the making,” said Chair of the Board Harris McCoy.

Persons interested in a guided tour of the Museum may sign up at the on-site Museum Gift Shop, which opened recently. Currently one tour is offered each day.

The Museum takes this opportunity to wish all its sponsors, and existing and prospective members and supporters a wonderful new year.