The Eleutheran - Eleuthera News, Sport and much more from Eleuthera: NEHS Chairman Wants To Know- Why no action from Government on Plans To Declare Preacher’s Cave a National Historic Park?

NEHS Chairman Wants To Know- Why no action from Government on Plans To Declare
Preacher’s Cave a National Historic Park?
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admin on 04 November, 2008 
 
The Eleutheran had the opportunity to speak with Jock Morgan, Chairman of the
North Eleuthera Historical Society (NEHS) – a committed group of individuals
who have been involved with the Preacher’s Cave site since 1991 and are
endeavoring to have the site declared a National Historical Park.
Many artifacts which go back to prehistoric days have been found associated with
the native Lucayans, and from the time of the Eleutheran Adventurers, the first
English settlers of the Bahamas, who landed in 1647. The site, according to Mr.
Morgan, has now proven to be the original home of the Eleutheran Adventurers –
“There was much skepticism about where it was and where it wasn’t, but due
to a number of the artifacts found, linked with that period, we’ve finally
been able to say that this (Preacher’s Cave site) is where the shipwrecked
adventurers sought shelter. In the past 4-5 years, at least 4 archaeological
trips have been conducted”.
Mr. Morgan’s biggest concern is that all official efforts to declare the site
a National Historic Park, seem to have come to a standstill. He hesitated to lay
the cause of the current inaction on the political table, but feels that the
present Government has not continued the important work of making the
Preacher’s Cave site a national historical park. He highlighted, “we met
with Mr. Carey, Dr. Tinker and Tourism representatives; the Harbour Island
commonage has given us permission to have the necessary adjacent property for
the formation of the national park. We have persons who are willing to pay for
the surveying of Preacher’s Cave. The plan has been laid out in a booklet; a
lot of money has been spent on research also, and it’s a shame to see it just
stop”.
According to the Chairman, plans had been prepared, which had a caretaker’s
house, a museum, a shop, cabanas along the beach, bathrooms with showers, and
wood walks for bird watching. Mr. Morgan also expressed, “We’ve had bird
experts come in, who did research on the local bird population in the area.
Thirty nine (39) migrating species were identified, including five (5)
endangered species. We’ve had Dr. Fields, who specializes in natural bush
medicines visit also. And the plans are now just laying there under dust”.
The first phase budget was $500,000 to get started in 2007, through the Ministry
of Tourism. Local officials acknowledge to The Eleutheran, that plans do appear
to be at a standstill but they were unable to provide reasons why this may be,
except to say that it is not in their hands currently. Attempts to contact
appropriate officials in Nassau prior to print, to receive their input on the
matter were unsuccessful.
Management of the project was to be done through the North Eleuthera Historical
Society, the National Trust and Ministry of Tourism.
Since the change of Government in May of 2007 subsequent meetings were held with
former Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Neko Grant and Permanent Secretary, Mr.
Archie Nairn. However, since the cabinet shuffle mid-summer 2008, which saw the
Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace take up the Minister of Tourism mantle – The
North Eleuthera Historical Society has been unsuccessful in setting up a meeting
with the new Minister.
The Society has not given up, and still spends time cleaning up and beautifying
the site with plans to continue lobbying for this Eleutheran Treasure to be
given the recognition and protection it deserves.
The North Eleuthera Historical Society is made up of a committee of members
including: Jock Morgan, Chairman; Raymond Harrison, Vice Chairman; Marcus
Collin, Vice Chairman; Jane Dale, Historian & Secretary; Mrs. Emlach, Asst.
Secretary; Celia Emlach, Asst. Secretary; Dick Malcolm, Treasurer; Collin Moss,
Asst Treasurer; Theo Neilly, Trustee; Harvey Roberts, Trustee; Gregory Stewart,
Trustee; Rev. Charles Sweeting, Chaplain and Bishop Dudley Kelly, Asst.
Chaplain.