Local Legend Linton Tibetts and the Little Cayman Marine Museum.

By Kristel Joanne Galimba
kristel@caymannetnews.com

Before becoming one of the world’s largest financial centres and a renowned tourist destination, Cayman first made history for having the most sought after seamen. Known as the “Iron men in wooden ships”, their remittances were recorded as the mainstay of the country’s economy until the 1950s.

To pay tribute to these great mariners of old and the Islands’ seafaring tradition, the Little Cayman Marine Museum formally opened its doors on Saturday, 27 June to almost 100 guests, most of them flying in especially for this momentous occasion.

Local legend Linton Tibbetts, who has developed the museum along with friends and family, was on hand to welcome everyone and share great tales about the spectacular array of photographs and artifacts on display.

HE the Governor Stuart Jack as well as Members of the Legislative Assembly for the Sister Islands, Moses Kirkconnell and Julianna O’Connor-Conolly, congratulated Mr Tibbetts and expressed their gratitude for the lifetime philanthropist’s gift to the people. Exie Tomlinson-Panton of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands presented Mr Tibbetts with a Cayman Islands “Red Ensign” maritime flag in recognition of his loving gesture.

The museum is housed in what was the “Old Baptist Church”, on a site originally developed in 1886 by English missionaries from the Jamaican Baptist Society. It is right next door to the Little Cayman Museum, which also showcases an antique display of tools from Mr Tibbetts’ private collection.

In a previous interview with Lifestyles of Cayman, Mr Tibbetts shared that the idea of building the museum came after much pondering about what to do with the old church building. The inspiration was spurred by the memories of his friend, the late Captain “Theo” Bodden, and other men like him. “I wondered what I could do to let others realise the life these people lived, how they had to live,” he said.

Now, with the Little Cayman Marine Museum open, Mr Tibbetts, along with the other families who have contributed to the rich collection highlighting the Islands’ colourful past, have provided this nation’s present and future generations, an avenue that will lead towards greater appreciation for their heritage.