THE National Trust of Guyana yesterday released its most recent publication, ‘Historic Photographs of Guyana’, at the National Museum, Company Path, Georgetown, to mark the beginning of Heritage Week 2010. Among those present were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; Director of Culture in that Ministry, Dr. James Rose and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust,  Ms. Nirvana Persaud.
Mr. Hinds, in his address, commended the earnest efforts of the Trust staff in the venture and said it invoked fond memories from his childhood.
He said it is, indeed, a commendable achievement to have an historic set of photographs for persons to reflect upon, as it contributes to the awareness of important aspects of the nation’s historic past.
Alluding to the advantages of the heritage preservation, the Prime Minister encouraged others to make contributions.
“As one gets older, one realises that history is the path through which persons  have been advancing. We should feel challenged to make our contribution,” he stated.
Mr. Hinds also lauded Anthony and his ministry and urged the Minister to continue with the task of ensuring that Guyanese are culturally aware.
In her remarks, Persaud disclosed that the idea is in keeping with the Trust’s Mission Statement to ensure the advancement of heritage preservation.
She said, in observance of Heritage Week 2010, celebrated under the theme ‘Partnering for effective preservation; My Role ,Your Role ‘, the Trust will be conducting several outreaches to secondary schools in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam ), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) for the purpose of creating awareness.
“The aim is to create awareness, in the schools, about our heritage and the role of all persons in safeguarding it,” Persaud explained.
She appealed to others to join and become stakeholders to preserve not only the country’s history but the nation’s identity and culture.
The photographic display features a limited collection of historical pictures and includes images from as early as the 19th Century, which reflect the local society and present a unique view of its past.
The album of historic sceneries covers four sections, rural and urban landscapes, streets in Georgetown and transportation. Some depict the Demerara River in 1900s, a 19th Century view of the capital from the river,  the big 1945 fire and the 1848 railway terminus.
Research and Documentation Officer of the Trust, Ms. Bhavana Gossai said copies of the book are available at its Carmichael Street office.
The Trust was established through passage of the National Trust Act, Number Seven of 1972, which makes provision for the preservation of monuments, sites, places and objects of historic interest or national importance.