By Francis Quamina Farrier
The National Museum on Company Path opposite the General Post office in downtown Georgetown is small as museums go. In fact, it is a tiny museum.

But size does not matter when quality is on the platter. There is so much, and of such a wide variety, for the visitor to munch on when one visits the Guyana’s National Museum. It is one sparkling little diamond of a museum which we can all take pride in. That institution has a collection of materials which spans decades as well as variety, and it has attracted generations of Guyanese as well as visitors from over-seas over the decades.

This museum had its foundations laid way back in the mid-1800s, and there has been growth even in the face of some setbacks, including fires; the worst being the great fire of 1945, when the museum suffered much loss. However, in time, those responsible for the running of this great National Institution, dedicated as they were, did all that was in their power, to get it back up-and-running in the face of such blazing set-backs. So, here it is today, some 175 years after it was first established.

Records reveal that the first gift to the Museum project back in 1844, was a donation of fifty wood samples from the well-known European Sir Robert Schomburg. On reflection, Guyanese should wonder why this gentleman has not been granted a posthumous National Award for all the work he has done for the preservation of so much of the history of British Guiana/Guyana, which we now have access to. The fact that he was knighted by the British Monarch should in no way prevent us from also honouring him with a Guyana National Award. It is not too late. The British honoured Sir Shridath Ramphal with a Knighthood, and we the citizens of the Republic of Guyana did the right thing by also bestowing a high National Award on that great son-of-the-soil.

During this Jubilee season, the National Museum has mounted a special exhibition and visitors have more than doubled during the months of April and May 2016. My understanding is that there has been over fifteen hundred visitors each week, up from about six hundred, over the past two months. This big increase seems in no way to be getting back to the average any time soon.

Among the items now on display at the museum are some of the simple things which Guyanese used on a daily basis in colonial times. They include morter and pestle, pressing comb, flat iron, charcoal iron, mud fireside, clay boblette, milk can, manicole broom, sling shot, rubber ban chain, coconut grater, scooter and a host of others.

Every nation which has self-respect, respects its past – the good, the bad and the ugly – and preserves them so that current generations will have a clearer knowledge of what their ancestors did, and how they did it.

In our own lifetime, we witnessed the removal of the Ruimveldt Independence Arch, which was done to facilitate the widening of the Ruimveldt Public Road. Those responsible for its removal told the Nation that it would have been reassembled as soon as the road works were completed; that was over fifteen years ago, and no one can say where the Ruimveldt Independence Arch is, at this time. A new Independence Arch was recently constructed at the entrance to the city of Georgetown, at the Eccles/Agricola border. The previous Ruimveldt Independence Arch seems to be lost to us forever, and it also seems that no one will be held responsible for its disappearance. That is totally unacceptable, and no laughing matter.

There are other historic tragedies of two pieces of works which have disappeared from the face of Guyana; the bust of Englishman, the Rev. John Smith, which was stolen from its base in the compound of the Smith’s Congregational church on Brickdam in Georgetown many years ago; also the statue of a woman which was located on a pedestal at the entrance to the National Museum; it was allegedly demolished by a person of unsound mind, some years ago. What is of concern, is that no effort was apparently made, to peace that statue together again, if that was at all possible. Maybe, like Humpty Dumpty, “all the King’s horses and all the King’s men, could not put that statue back together again.” Meanwhile, many persons of unsound mind, still roam the city of Georgetown, and sometimes destroy valuable property, with impunity.

Many who are going to the National Museum at this Jubilee time are students; from Kindergarten to College. Many are also Guyanese who are visiting from over-seas, for the Jubilee celebrations. There is also a marked increase in the number of foreign visitors to the museum. This I have observed for myself, having paid three visits to the museum during the past four weeks. There is so much to see, and the Staffers are always willing and ready to give advice and information when requested.

Many of the artefacts which are on display, have been there for well over fifty years; for example, the Pork-knocker has been on display since I was in my pre-teens; and that was over sixty years ago. There are miniature versions of some of the well-known Transport and Harbours Department Ferry boats, which have long gone out of service, the MV Querriman being the most popular. Also on display is the vehicle, PR1, which was used by Prime Minister Dr. Ptolemy Reid, during his tenure in high political office.

It would be impossible for me to say exactly how many times I have visited our very impressive little National Museum over the years, but I have to admit that even in my very youthful years, I have always found it interesting; even intriguing.

It is very important for governments, and even private establishments and individuals, to establish museums. Present generations need to be able to see some of the past, whether they are statues, carvings, sculpting, paintings, photographs, skeletons or artefacts. The older generations need to be able to go to a place where things of the past are on display in a formal way, and which help to bring back memories of past existences.; be they pleasant or not. Our National Museum is such a place. Do yourself a favour and make a visit during this Jubilee season. You will be happy you did.