Road Town, Tortola - A publication of rare Virgin Islands photos and artwork dating back to the late 1800s was officially launched at Government House on Thursday, April 15.
‘Snapshots of the Past’, as the collection is fittingly entitled, features selections from an Old Pictures Exhibition that was held in 2007 by the Archives and Records Management Unit of the Deputy Governor’s Office. The pictorial anthology portrays images of Virgin Islands architecture; scenes of vibrant community life and culture, as well as prized family portraits.|
His Excellency the Governor, David Pearey, in his opening remarks, commended the work of the Archives and Records Management Unit headed by Mrs. Verna Penn Moll in ensuring that Snapshots of the Past became a reality. Governor Pearey also stressed the very vital role that archival institutions play in our lives; hence the need for a suitable repository to permanently display cultural artefacts and records.
Poetry reading was done by Dr. Allison Flax-Archer, great-grand-daughter of family matriarch Mrs. Catherine Lettsome, who is featured on the cover. Dr. Flax- Archer shared from the poetry collection of the late Sheila Hyndman.
Mrs. Luce Hodge-Smith, Director of Culture, reinforced the national significance of securing records as a way of preserving our history and culture and referenced the preservation of the Haitian archival collection, despite the recent disaster.
Keynote Speaker and local Historian, Dr. Katherine Smith, enlightened the very enthusiastic audience on various aspects of social history. Events such as the launching of ‘Snapshots of the Past’, she said, can help to further the movement towards a greater appreciation of our history and the importance of documenting it through institutions such as our national archives. Dr. Smith emphasized the critical role that education plays in self-discovery and in trying to answer basic questions such as ‘Who is a Virgin Islander?’
Deputy Governor, Mrs. V. Inez Archibald provided an overview of the book and thanked the staff of the Archives and Records Management Unit, Friends of the Archives and other contributors for making the publication possible.
The ceremony was chaired by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Ms. Arlene Smith, who welcomed persons in attendance and expressed her gratitude to them for sharing in the historic occasion. The invocation was done by Reverend Julian Clarke. Mrs. Keiyia Jackson-George of the Archives and Records Management Unit introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Katherine Smith. Mrs. Verna Penn-Moll made special presentations of the book to His Excellency the Governor, David Pearey and to Dr. Smith.
The launch of Snapshots of the Past was one of a series of activities to mark Archives and Records and Information Management Week which is being celebrated under the theme ‘Archives – A Resource for National Development’. Other initiatives include a Second Old Pictures Exhibition at the Old Sugarworks Museum in Lower Estate that will be open until the end of April. Persons are therefore asked to take advantage of this opportunity to view these rare exhibits. A workshop in biography writing was held on Wednesday for participants in the Deputy Governor’s History Research Awards programme, among other activities. The week will culminate with book sales and signings all day at the Archives and Records Management Unit on Friday, April 16.
British Virgin Islands News