Island Gems members Anne Karine Fleming, Asha Stevens and Jody Rosen with French-side Archive Director Stephanie Dargaud and Archive Staff Eugene Carty.
MARIGOT–The building housing the French side’s archives was one of the hard-hit structures during Hurricane Irma. Staff members, under the guidance of Director Stephanie Dargaud, are still diligently working on making the island’s history available to the public via workshops and other means.
To aid in this process and to ensure that written and photographic history are not lost, after much has been uncovered in recent years, Island Gems Charity Foundation recently supported the important work of the archive staff via donation of a professional digital camera and tripod.
Dargaud explained to Island Gems members that archivists have found some new things recently. “These are new to us, but not to the elders”.
Young people of the island “need to know what happened before them. “Our job is to give the key to understand the strong moments of St. Martin and hope young people get the key and work on more history, Dargaud told Island Gems.
Archive staff Audrey Claxton is tasked with creating and delivering workshops to schools to keep history alive through themes such as discovering the archives, historical timeline heritage, slavery and urban planning. Claxton is busy with workshops for which images are an integral part. The donated camera will play a part in ensuring the island’s history is shared via images, because original documents cannot be taken into the field.
The archive is working on better facilities to reopen its files to scholars, researchers, teachers and others.
Island Gems vice president Fleming said supporting the archive is a concrete way of preserving the island’s history and heritage.
Island Gems is very cognizant of the damage Irma has wreaked on vital, but often overlooked institutions of the island of which the archives are one. The all-women foundation intends to continue supporting heritage and history projects.
The foundation, the oldest charity on the island, is the only organization that funds projects and programmes on both sides of the island. All recipients must be registered foundations, associations or legal entities. No cash is given by Island Gems; equipment and/or services are paid directly to suppliers for approved projects.
Funds for projects are usually raised at Island Gems’ annual costume gala, the foundation’s only fundraising event. No gala was held this year due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Island Gems is planning a “St. Maarten/St. Martin Thankful” dinner for the beginning of December. More details to come soon.
Persons interested in learning more about Island Gems can visit Island Gems’ Facebook page or contact any member.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79970-french-side-archive-receives-new-camera-from-island-gems
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