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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Sip Sip History - Bahamas Historical Society
Nassau, Bahamas - As my first year as President comes to an end I realize what a huge debt of gratitude I owe to the Management Committee, Volunteers and the general public, who visit the museum. But I also realize that in great part the Bahamas Historical Society and Bahamians have benefitted from the generous donation of the former IODE Headquarter building that has become our home. The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Historical Society owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire. The IODE, formed in 1900, was a woman’s charitable organization dedicated to community service, child welfare and distressed citizens. Besides their many works of charity I would like to highlight three instances of generous gifts that have enhanced our Bahamas.
Above is a picture of the 24 mature palm trees – now only 6 remain
On Empire day 24th May 1905, The IODE unveiled the statue of Queen Victoria in Rawson’s Square.
In October 1976 they donated their IODE Headquarters to The Bahamas Historical Society. We developed the hall into the museum it is today.
Above is a picture of IODE members (guesstimation of late 1980s). Sadly the IODE is now no longer in existence.
We thank the IODE for their many gifts in the same words of the Eleutheran Adventurers in their thanks for provisions from Boston:
....” we may express how sensible we are of God's love and tender care of us manifested in yours; and avoid that foul sin of ingratitude so abhorred of God, so hateful to all men.”
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