NEHS Chairman Wants To Know- Why no action from Government on Plans To Declare Preacher’s Cave a National Historic Park?

Jack Morgan, North Eleuthera Historical Society Chairman, photographed in Spanish Wells.

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.