History of the Museum
Fellow villagers,
First, I must thank the Board of The Friends of the Villages museum for giving me the opportunity to communicate with you. Also, I must thank Mr. Reogon Martin, Artist for being instrumental in the vision to set up the Museum in our village. As President and your local coordinator, I was asked to provide some background information to enlighten you about what you are asked to embrace and commit to for its Success. I do not like to speak about myself but am forced to do so in order for you to grasp the importance of our Mission & Vision.
Buxton/Friendship twin villages were purchased by our fore parents as slaves, in 1934 & 1938 respectively. They planned out the villages for the survival of a people. Buxton/Friendship and surrounding villages have a tremendous history. A history of people, businesses, places, organizations, landmarks and events to name a few. A number of years ago I physically left Guyana, but spiritually, emotionally and mentally I never left and as a result I visit The country/ Buxton very often as many of you know. For the record as a Buxtonian, I have lived at a number of locations, from Friendship backdam side as Ras Boogy would tell you, Company road, railway line top and lastly, the middle street where the Museum & Archives is being located.
As a young boy growing up I remember the dark days of Buxton with the British soldiers walking through the lots, but on the other hand, more vividly, I remember the great old days of the harmony when we had ethnicity and culture that existed in and around the villages. We cannot speak of Buxton/Friendship without speaking of Bladenhall, Vigilance, Traspey and Annandale. There is much village history in Eusi Kwayana’s book, Buxton in Print & Memory. Can you remember him? Teacher George Young, Martin Stephenson, Baggy selling shave ice, Kwesi Nkofi, Walla baby, Sherman Blair to name a few. Do you remember our goblet, mortar & pistle, poosy, enamel cup, food carrier? Do you remember the story telling, tales in the village, false names? Do you remember there was a train line that ran through Buxton and we had a cinema? Many pass the two buildings on the Company Road at the corner of Ogle St. & Company Road but do not know what businesses were there. These were successful businesses at one time but ended for many reasons. I wrote about the Garment Factory having worked there for almost 7 years and interviewed the last surviving director of the Plastic factory along with other past businesses owners from the village. We should not forget that we also held two successful Economic Development & Health Seminars in the Village. Now not only will we have an opportunity to re-educate our youth about our history but also create, manage and sustain a museum, archives & culture center for all times and show that we can work together for the benefit of all.
Now one journey was just completed and it is this new and exciting journey we are inviting you to join. The establishing of our Villages’ Buxton/Friendship Museum, Archives & Culture Center, I can assure you this would be an exciting, educational, and rewarding journey that would benefit not only you, but all the Villages, that our ancestors would say “their sacrifice in purchasing these villages was worth it.” First, what is a Museum? Second what is an Archives? And lastly what is a Culture center? Having addressed what we will be creating I must now pause. While I may have numerous ideas and plans, since the MACC would be serving & benefiting the village, we would like to hear from you. What would you like to see the MA&CC accomplish in the communities? Since this a project that all have to own, protect and be proud of. We will make if a project that surpasses all other museums in the country, but we have to work together. The village will benefit by persons visiting to see the MACC, but we have to make them feel safe and protect them as you protect the museum.