National Trust Archive project launch
The Montserrat National Trust embarked on a pilot project to protect the islands Historical Documents and described as the Endangered Archive Project.
The project which is funded and made possible through a grant awarded by the British Library enables the Montserrat National Trust (MNT) to purchase equipment and train locals to also produce professional quality digitized historical documents that have been deteriorating over the years.
The project also provides a look at areas where these documents are stored and to make recommendations for proper storage and funding.
Governor Adrian Davis
Mrs. Dulcie James, President of Montserrat National Trust
The beginning of the project was marked with launch ceremony at the MNT museum in Little Bay, held on November 6, 2014. The ceremony opened with prayer by Mrs. Jean White and the singing of the Territorial song by two students of the St. Augustine School. MNT Executive Director, Mrs. Sarita Francis of then opened by welcoming all in attendance. They included H E Governor Davis and his wife Sujue, and Premier Donaldson Romeo members of the Trust and others along with the media.
She introduced the first of a few speakers who included the Premier with a short feature address from and remarks from the Governor. President of the Trust Mrs. Dulcie James in her brief remarks, after briefly outlining the work of the Trust which “Manages the Montserrat Museum in Little Bay where exhibits display and inform on Montserrat’s History and Culture from pre Columbian to Modern day using information and artifacts stored, said how grateful they were to Mr. Nigel Sadler, from Sands of the Time Consultancy
She said, he “worked with the MNT to apply to the British Library for a grant to digitize some of the Archives in our Collection and in other offices on Montserrat…This Project is timely and important to Montserrat on a whole and we urge all stakeholders to work with us to protect our heritage.”
She said also, “we are also pleased that we are able to demonstrate the importance of preserving our archives,” and announced the opening of an Exhibition on Montserrat and World War 1, marking the Centenary of the start of World War 1.
Hon. Premier Romeo
Premier Romeo in his short address honoured, “… not only Professor Sir Howard Fergus, our Historian and writer, but also the many who have tirelessly worked with our National Trust and Public Library over the years. Even, Mr T Savage English, who took time to type out records he found and compiled them, preserving history that we have to this day. History, which we might otherwise have lost.”
He then expressed “great pleasure,” for the launch of the project, “and also the opening of the display on the First World War. No one who fought in that war – a hundred years ago now – is still alive among us, but we must not forget its blood-bought lessons,” he said, adding that there are lessons, “which – in a world that still has aggressive movements and rulers – are still all too relevant.”
The Governor also gave brief remarks. He said he has great enthusiasm for the project, “because the history of Montserrat is part of its national identity and forms part of its national psyche.” and he is also very enthusiastic about the principle of digitization to make these archives accessible to all, to make them safe to preserve them.
The Governor after expressing his agreement with much of the Premier said, and wishing he had a speech writer, hoped that, “what we learn here on how we handle the archives will be of greater benefit to the rest of the government because we have an income tax record, we have all sorts of documents that we need to digitize,” concluding, “we need to preserve…”
These were followed by an explanation of the project by Mr. Nigel Sadler, who won the 2014 award – three-month Pilot project.
In the project overview he wrote: “Montserrat has suffered from harsh environmental conditions, natural disasters and an indifference to preserving the country’s archive. Inappropriate storage and handling has resulted in material being lost or rapidly deteriorating, creating an urgent need for proper documentation and storage. Recent volcanic activity has destroyed most of the previous storage facilities.” Premier Romeo in his address referred to this as “a key point of concern.”
Sadler explained that the project will identify archival material held throughout Montserrat, assess its condition and prepare a long term plan for its safe storage, digitization and increased public access and awareness of this endangered resource.
He said it will also work on the collection of original material held by the Montserrat National Trust (MNT), comprising 18th and 19th century estate plans and deeds; 20th century letters, newspapers, land deeds, wills, receipts; and collections of slide photographs from the 1980s, including a 1986 buildings survey which show many buildings no longer standing after the 1995 and 1997 volcanic eruptions. “They have been poorly stored and in urgent need of copying,” he noted, adding. “The project will work on some of the 18th century records held at the Central Library, a collection in private ownership, and a section of material in very poor condition held by the Government Registry Office.”
There was also the showing of a Short Video of Photographs of Plymouth around the time of the War and up to around 1962 Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial. The Exhibition and the Video presentation demonstrate the importance and use of Archival documents. Meanwhile the trust is hoping to assist students and other researchers by placing some of its historical archives on its website.
