Dear Editor,
As we acknowledge “International Museum Day” Wednesday May 18th 2022, the Buxton/Friendship Museum, Archives & Culture Center (BFMACC) joins all museums around the world in celebrating another milestone of such an important day whose theme is “ The Power of Museums” reflecting on (a), “The power of community building through education.” (b) “The power of innovating on digitalization and accessibility.” (c).”The power of achieving sustainability.” Museums are for the preservation of history, through collecting preserving, documenting and archiving materials.
I am part of the Buxton/Friendship Museum, Archives & Culture Center, (BFMACC), located in the small village of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara, Guyana. The villages of Buxton and sister village Friendship were bought by former enslaved people in 1840 / 1841 respectively. With the declared Emancipation of slavery in 1838, the Village Movement was spreading and after four years of hard work they were still able to save enough money to buy Plantation Orange Nassau later renamed Buxton in 1840. Friendship Village was later purchased in 1841 and the combined area became Buxton/Friendship. From the purchase of Buxton/Friendship, and with other villages, they set the stage for the formation of the Cooperative movement in Guyana and the concept of one person, one vote. Buxton / Friendship Villages are located about twelve miles from the capital Georgetown, Guyana. These villages, along with neighbouring villages, from Emancipation to present have set a significant historical trail of village life, socially and economically.
In celebrating this International Museum Day, on behalf of the Museum and Archives and the people of Buxton I would like to congratulate and join with caregiver Ingrid Nelson, who is the vice President of the Museum & Archive, her daughter Dr. Nelson and others to celebrate Mrs. Talbot on her 110th birthday at her home on Company Road Buxton. Born on May 10, 1912, Ms. Talbot is said to be Guyana’s oldest person. On November 14th 2021, Ms. Talbot was the recipient of The Friends of the Villages Museum & Archives (FVMA) Longevity Award that was received by her son Raymond Talbot, who is a board member of FVMA. In maintaining our international recognition and contribution to education, we thank Dr. Wazir Mohamed for taking his students to the Museum recently, as noted by him, “Indiana University East students from Richmond, Indiana visited the Buxton Museum to learn the history of the African Peoples and villages. They were interested and paid attention to the cultures of the diverse ethnic communities in Guyana. The students were at the time visiting the rainforest to view the manner in which the Indigenous peoples live in harmony with the environment. The students were very impressed with the history displayed in the Museum.” Thanks to all for our donors, supporters, and staff for their contributions.
Though, small, growing and a Community Museum & Archive our support comes .mainly from the “people”. We invite you to pay us a visit anytime you are in Guyana. Due to our funding, we are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 1-5 pm.
Sincerely,
Keith Easton – For BFMACC
Agt. Museum Administrator, Curator for
BFMACC, Founder and President, FVMA
