The
artifacts and historical documents of this small private
museum span almost a thousand years.
The oldest
artifacts were made by Arawak Indians between 800-1000
AD. These include 3-pointed stones that were believed to have served
as personal "power objects;" stone axes; and shell
and conch necklace pieces.
Some
items, such as clay pipes from 1820, depict plantation era
life. However, most visitors are intrigued by the utensils and clothing
objects the islanders ingeniously created to meet the need of their
times.
Such
as the "old wife skin," the rough skin of an "old
wife fish" used to scrub utensils like pots and pans
before the advent of commercial scrub brushes.
Sandals
(called "spatalashes") were made from car
tires for walking on the sea rocks and on the roads. Sea
fans were used as flour sifters.
The
intriguing collection was assembled by Colville Petty, OBE,
who served as deputy governor and acting governor of Anguilla.
Petty also authored several books about Anguilla's history.
The
materials end with Anguilla 's revolutionary period--the
1960s. Most visitors are surprised to learn that tranquil Anguilla was a
hotbed of political unrest during that period. Britain had imposed a federation
with St. Kitts, but Anguilla felt St. Kitts was hoarding all
the power and money.
In 1967, Anguilla rebelled,
becoming known as the "eel that squealed," a term derived from a
movie popular at the time, The Mouse That Roared.
Political
tensions gradually increased
until 1969 when British troops were sent
in. Anguillans were happy to see the troops and sang "God Save
the Queen" on their arrival.
Anguilla
wanted to remain a Crown Colony of Britain. The ties
it wanted to cut were with St. Kitts. Which is how
everything played out.
One of
the photographs taken during the rebellion shows
museum owner Colville Petty himself greeting British troops.
Other items displayed from this period are the front pages of newspapers,
a riot shield and helmet used during the British police action.
"History
is my hobby," explains Petty, who started collecting
in 1978. "I used to house everything in my study but it pushed
into another room and into my one-car garage."
Petty
says he never intended to make his collection public. When
word spread about his historical treasure
trove, he realized how many people wanted
to view his collection, so he put it on display in 1996.
He's glad he did.
"A
lot of our history disappeared when the plantations did.
It's important for an Anguillan to know from whence they came,
especially the young people. If they understand our history,
there will be a better chance to enhance the unity of our people," he
believes.
Petty
tried moving the museum to a more central location but now it's back at East
End, across from the East End Pond Bird Sanctuary. Open Monday-Friday
from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For
more information, call 264-235-7440; or www.offshore.com.ai/heritage. There
is US$5 per person admission fee for adults, US$3 for children. Plan on spending
at least an hour.
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