CAY HILL–Almost a year and half after St. Maarten Archaeological Centre SIMARC was damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the centre for heritage research and education has been re-opened in a new location at Welgelegen Road 33 in Cay Hill.
Education and Culture Minister Wycliffe Smith officially opened the centre in the presence of Department of Culture head Clara Reyes, UNESCO local representative Marcellia Henry, SIMARC board member Elsje Bosch, SIMARC Director Dr. Jay Haviser and two SIMARC students.
The primary responsibilities of SIMARC are the proper care and management of the national archaeological artefact collections, heritage site documentation/research, international scientific communications, and education for the community.
One of the emphasised SIMARC approaches is the direct involvement of youngsters ages 14-18 in the process of heritage research and education.
As before, community groups are also welcome to make appointments for information about St. Maarten heritage.
SIMARC has received support in the past 14 years from the Ministries of Infrastructure VROMI and of Education, Culture and Youth, and from Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Mondriaanfonds, UNESCO, Be the Change Foundation, Leiden University, and other institutions, as well as private sector contributions, such as by Gemini Construction for a storage container.
For more information about SIMARC, contact the centre at Welgelegen Road 33, Unit 1, Cay Hill, or check the SIMARC Facebook page.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/86914-simarc-opens-centre-on-welgelegen-road
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