Nassau, Bahamas - Two truly memorable events occurred at The Bahamas Historical Society last week.
The first was the talk of Dr Jennifer Bethel on Female Slaves in The Bahamas. The crowd was slightly less than the number of extras in a Cecil B de Mille epic movie some 125 some standing and some sitting in our 70 seats!
Dr. Jennifer Bethel talks on Female Slaves in The Bahamas at the Bahamas Historical Society on
As a result of the interest we gained eight new members, sold sixteen Journals and gained one more Volunteer, Kendra Cooper, who joins Vivienne Ferguson on Saturdays. We need to praise all our volunteers, who run the museum on a daily basis.
Also pictured is the new Apple Laptop purchased along with a
printer/Scanner to assist the Society to better preserve history,
communicate and keep important documents electronically.
A great crowd at the Bahamas Historical Society talk on Female Slaves in The Bahamas Photo: Ashley Taylor
Thanks to Robert Dorsett here are the links to ALL the Female Slaves in The Bahamas videos (see link below)
Robert also broadcast on livestream – we would appreciate any feedback about its availability
The second event was the performance of the two classical guitarists Anabel Montesinos and her husband Marco Tamayo under the auspices of the Nassau Music Society. The music and humour were simply wonderful – the first half was mood evoking classical pieces and the second a skilful rendition of Beatles and modern tunes and an encore of the couple playing Mozart on one guitar!
I felt we should record some recent history as it may get lost
The Bay Street Fire Nassau Bahamas 2nd December 2011
The blaze let the Vendue House and St Cuthberts Church bared to the charred bone. Photo: Jim Lawlor
St.Cuthbert's Chapel or Seamen's Mission opened on January 11 1892 in premises loaned for the purpose on the south side of Bay Street. The Anglican Synod reported that a very large number of sailors attended the services and larger premises were necessary. A property consisting of a piece of land with buildings on the north side of Bay Street was purchased in 1892 and a new Mission Chapel was completed in 1893 and opened for Divine Service on Christmas Eve of that year. The Rev. H.W. Weigall was the priest in charge. Five confirmations were held in the mission room within twelve months for those persons who had missed the Bishop when he visited their islands.
Half of the premises were fitted up as the Diocesan Bookstore which had previously been kept at St.Mary's Rectory. The eastern portion of the building consisted of a club room on the ground floor and chapel above. .(research of June Maura)
The keen eye of natural historian Denis Knowles on his stroll along Bay Street shortly after the fire marvelled at the inside of St Cuthbert’s Church. The naturally curved mahogany hand carved
window frames – naturally curved wood from ‘the hard to find’ limbs cut to fit the curvature of the window and to fit perfectly seamlessly at the pointed crown. Even the beams in the Vendue House were well crafted.
Denis freely gave his advice ‘to save what can be saved before it is too far gone if it is possible’.
Our next talk will be on Thursday 23rd February –
Wayne Neeley on the
1866 Hurricane...Books will be available for signed copies. (details to follow)
And Dr Jeff McCormack recently published a book, "Bush Medicine of the Bahamas: A Cross-cultural Perspective from San Salvador Island, Including Pharmacology and Oral Histories."
