BAHAMAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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NEWSLETTER March 2010

Dear Member,

I feel so proud that our last meeting turned out to be "an evening to remember." Sir Orville Turnquest gave a wonderful speech on "Over-da-Hill: Grant's Town." It was so well received by a large and receptive audience. But while celebrating a moment of triumph I have to warn you that my next newsletter will be much more business like - I am pleased to announce a revival of our luncheon/fashion show on Thursday 22nd April at the Yacht Club but due to the high cost of the food we will have to make the ticket a $50 donation. And please remember that all membership fees are renewable at the time of our Annual General Meeting which will take place on Thursday 29th April.

Our next talk:

Thursday 25th March 2010 at 6pm

"Westward: The Walk of a Bahamian Doctor" by Dr. Harry Munnings, who will also entertain us on classical guitar.

Spanning four generations of a Bahamian family, from nineteenth-century out-island farmers to city professionals at the turn of the millennium, Westward: The Walk of a Bahamian Doctor celebrates a father’s love, a mother’s faith and the village that raised them. Sprinkled with pearls such as the Bahamian contribution to the success of Campbell Soup and accounts of shocking crimes, like the murder that led two young American men to the gallows at Nassau’s Fox Hill Prison, this captivating memoir chronicles an interplay of luck, hard work, and divine intervention as it portrays the making of a medical doctor in the Caribbean.

At our museum corner of Shirley Street and Elizabeth Avenue

Parking: At the ex Psilinakis carpark north of the museum on Elizabeth Ave – entrance via First Caribbean Bank on Shirley Street.

Sir Orville is pictured at the podium against the background of our crest and the bust of first President, Sir George Roberts. With charm and wit, he delighted the audience in recounting the history and his own experiences growing up in Grant’s Town.

He revealed that “Over-da-Hill” was both a geographical location and a concept.

Especially interesting was the explanation of justice under the silk cotton tree.

He spoke of the many leaders both political and community that arose from a poor but proud background. We were privileged to learn about the folkways of the inhabitants and their religious, social and sporting affiliations.

The full speech will be published in the 2010 Journal of Bahamas Historical Society

Left: We had to put out all our 70 chairs to accommodate our largest audience of the year.

Right: We were delighted to welcome three knights of the realm: Sir Arlington and Lady Arlington Butler, Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes (not pictured) and our Speaker Sir Orville Turnquest pictured here with President Jim Lawlor

Left: It was a family night too! Above The Turnquests: Carey, Michelle, Lady Edith and Sir Orville.

Right: President Jim with wife Anne, who provides inspiration and support. Anne’s sister Liz is ever present at our meetings this year.

Thanks again to Andrea Major for the beautiful photography.

Kind regards,

Jim Lawlor, President.

We have many treasures at the museum that are not displayed. I found these very interesting images the other day.

View of old Bay Street before the British Colonial Hotel was built

The Guard Room at the entrance to Fort Nassau Barracks of BWI Regiment

The British Colonial Hotel replaced the British West India Regiment Barracks

The British Colonial Hotel