Heritage sites of Guyana…

Bhavana Gossai

THE National Trust of Guyana is a government enterprise whose mandate propels its commitment to the preservation and conservation of historic buildings and sites in Guyana. Therefore, in this weekly article, we aim to enlighten the public about various aspects, symbols, landmarks and structures of our rich and diverse heritage. Today we feature the institution of the National Trust of Guyana.

Guyana is a land which possesses one of the richest and varied cultural heritages in the region, due to its various periods in history, beginning with the arrival of Amerindians, followed by European colonisation, slavery and indentureship.

We boast quite a colourful heritage, since it draws inspiration from these cultures and hybrids of cultures which graced our shores during each of these periods, since, each group brought to Guyana its cultural traditions, and made its imprint on the historical landscape. The variety
of these contributions provided us with the plural tapestry, material and immaterial, of which we are so very proud today.

The preservation and conservation of our cultural heritage officially started with the establishment of the National History and Culture Council, which was founded on January 1, 1963 “to promote and aid the study of history in Guyana, with a view to quickening national consciousness, and fostering national pride and unity.”

Subsequently, on January 10, 1964, a suggestion was made for the establishment of a National Trust to promote preservation of historic sites in Guyana. Nine years later, in July 1972, an Act of Parliament formally established the office of the National Trust of Guyana. The establishment of this office has allowed for the development and growth of programmes enabling the conservation of Guyana’s heritage for the present and future generations.

Guided by a Board of Directors appointed by Cabinet, the National Trust is mandated to preserve buildings of architectural, national or artistic interest and the augmentation of the amenities and of those buildings and their surroundings; to preserve the furniture and pictures and chattels of any description having national or historic or artistic value, to have public access to and enjoyment of such buildings, places and chattels; and to have the promotion of the permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of the property of beauty or historic interest.

The Trust is also obliged to propagate the awareness, and a wholesome understanding and appreciation, of the relevance and significance of these aspects of the nation’s heritage and psyche.

To this end, the National Trust of Guyana, over the years, has done much to promote and conserve Guyana’s unique heritage resources, through publications, exhibitions and its radio programme, ‘Heritage Minute’, amongst other activities.

However, as we all know, “if we choose not to conserve important parts of our historic environment, we will make it harder for future generations to understand and appreciate their past, and we will impoverish their quality of life.”

We recognize that the citizens of Guyana are the caretakers of our cultural heritage. To this end, the safeguarding of our national treasures is a task that requires the cooperation of all Guyanese. This task must be supported at both the national and community levels.

The National Trust of Guyana therefore wishes to encourage everyone to reflect on our unique heritage and make a special effort to safeguard and promote them for the benefit of our present and future generations. (Bhavana Gossai is a Research & Documentation Officer at the National Trust of Guyana)