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"To preserve
places of historic significance for present and future generations
of the Cayman Islands."
Fortunately, examples of Cayman's built heritage
remain woven within
contemporary Cayman; however, they are vanishing quickly as historic
structures and neighbourhoods are being demolished to make way for high
density and often unsympathetic development that promises greater profit
potential.
Our heritage architecture is a significant expression of our culture
and it has played a critical role in helping to define Caymanian identity.
In a time when Caymanians are struggling to define culture, the trust
is
working to preserve that part of our identity that is manifested through
our built heritage. More specifically, the Historic Programmes
are about balancing Cayman's sense of place and authenticity within the
frame work of modern construction so that it isn't sacrificed for a feeling
of sameness and so that our fragile culture is not entirely absorbed
by another more dominant and foreign culture.
The National Trust's Historic Programme contributes to government efforts
and supports these 3 Ministries: the Department of Tourism, Education
Department and Ministry of Culture. Please refer to the Historic
Programme Contributions to Government to witness all that the Trust does
to support the efforts of government.
Essentially the Trust has adopted five programmes to promote awareness
and appreciation of Cayman's built heritage:
The Historic
Preservation Awards Programme identifies local structures
that have been well-preserved, and/or restored, and modern structures
built using principles of historic design. These structures
are presented with awards of distinction.
The Historic Properties Acquisition
Programme involves legally protecting places of particular historic
significance
from further
deterioration and/or demolition, through outright ownership and
management. Following
are the historic sites that are owned and managed by the Trust:
Watler Cemetery, East
End Lighthouse Park, Fort George, Mission
House,
Jackson's
Wall, Old Savannah School House, Miss
Izzy's School House,
Bodden Town Guardhouse Park.
The Historic Plaque Programme seeks to identify
buildings of historic interest with a metal plaque award.
The Historic
Building and Sites Inventory Programme is an extensive
repository of Cayman's built heritage that identifies, documents
and lists historic structures built prior to 1950. For examples:
Miss
Hilary Thompson's House, Storm
of '32 Mass Grave Sites, Traditional
Architecture.
The Historic Education Programme seeks to encourage
understanding and participation for historic preservation of people
of all ages.
While the Trust has, and will continue to take initiatives
to ensure that our built heritage survives the assault of rapid uncontrolled
growth, we cannot succeed in our mission on our own. Therefore,
by way of our Historic Programmes, we seek to inform that the responsibility
for preserving Cayman's built heritage rests upon the shoulders of
all local residents and not solely on the National Trust. More
specifically, the Historic Programmes aim to encourage interest,
initiative and advocacy
for the protection of our built heritage so that residents will gain
an appreciation of, and an understanding for, the lasting benefits
of historic preservation. |
Historic
Plaque Programme 