The Rupununi Weavers Society

The Rupununi Weavers Society Museum is located in Lethem and is a branch of the Walter Roth Museum. The purpose of the museum is to promote and enhance awareness of Guyana’s indigenous cultures. The museum houses Amerindian artifacts, archival materials, and intellectual resources among other items.

The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology is the first anthropology museum in the English speaking Caribbean and is located at 61 Main Street, North Cummingsburg. The museum was first opened in 1974 and was named in honor of the late Walter Edmund Roth who was an anthropologist administrator and surgeon.
It is said that the architectural work done on the building was done by John Sharps in 1890 and was then bought by Duncan McRae Hutson a Guyanese barrister-at-law and legislator in 1891. But after his wife passed in 1942 the property was bought by the British Guiana government. When it was bought the building was used as a Teacher’s Training College and later The Attorney General’s Chambers.
In 1976 the National Trust declared the building as a national historic monument and in 1978 was taken over by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Social Development. When it was acquired it was decided that the building be used as a museum and was officially opened to the public in 1982.
The first collection of items ever donated to the museum was by Dr. Dennis Williams a Archaeologist.Some of the items on display include wai wai collections, excavated artifacts from the ten administrative regions, burial urns, petrolyps among others. The museum is opened from Monday to Saturday.

The Dutch Heritage Museum

In February of 2007, a Dutch heritage museum was established by the national trust on fort island, Essequibo River. This museum is housed in the oldest non military structure in Guyana. It provides visitors with a social and historical reflection of the presence of the Dutch in Guyana. It is currently the only such institution in the region.
Many items used and /or created by the Dutch are displayed in this museum. Detailed info on various events that occurred in the past during the time of slavery can be found there and also info about the building in which this museum is housed in can be found there as well; due to the fact that the building is of great significance since it was used by the Dutch for multiply purposes for example it was used as a court where slaves who attempted to escape where tried and punished by being put to death by hanging.

The Walter Rodney Archives

The nation archive of Guyana was organized in 1958. It holds a vast quantity of historical data; this collection dates back to the period of Dutch occupation when documents were stored in the dome of Parliament buildings.
In the year of 1982, the national archives of Guyana act was passed, establishing the national archives as a department. This act provides for an advisory committee hence, these members of this committee are usually appointed by the minister. The main role of this committee is to advise the minister on matters of general archival policy and to review the work and progress of the department.

The national archive contains approximately 700 meters of textual material, 10,000 printed items and 55 meters of newspaper (32 titles). Of the collection, 5% dates from the 18th century, 55% from the 19th century and 40% from the 20th century. However the Dutch collection is the oldest group these date back to 1735.

The Archive is opened to students wanting to do research from Monday to Saturday.

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre is located on High Street between Barrack Streets. The establishment is also called the Red House or Kamana Court. The house before becoming a research centre was acquired in 1925 and Sir Eustace Woolford a legislature speaker was one of the first owners of the establishment. After Sir Eustace the house had numerous of owners including Dr. Cheddi Jagan from 1961-1964.

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre was officially opened on March 22, 2000 to celebrate the 82nd anniversary of Dr. Jagan. At present the centre is operated by the family of Dr. Jagan and his close and dear friends. The family’s aim and objective is to promote research into and publish materials to the public on the life, words and ideas of the late president according to his family. The family also offers to the public Dr. Jagan’s philosophy, aspirations, struggles and accomplishments.

The centre has three floors. These are: The Museum on the (top Floor), The Archives (middle Floor) and Conference Centre. It is also opened to the public free of charge from Monday to Saturday.

Conclsion

In conclusion as we have been discussing over the last few pages historical repositories are very important to countries. This is because it informs the citizens of that country and visitors of where they can go and gather information about the country’s history, their people and important places.

Everyone of these institutions or building all play a significant role and part in Guyana’s history. Without them persons wouldn’t know their history, who they are and visitors wouldn’t know where to go or which significant place to visit.