The History Forum

Professor Emeritus Henry Fraser's new TV series entitled, "Pillars of Worship" will begin on CBC TV Channel 8 in Barbados this evening (October 30, 2012) at 8:30pm. Learn more about Barbados' rich eccesiastical architectural history and heritage. The series continues next week.

The Barclay's Family Vault in St. Mary's Churchyard, Bridgetown Barbados "Many Barbadians are unaware of the role their middle-sized island in the Caribbean played in building the West African nation of Liberia. They would be surprised to find out that two of Liberia’s presidents were of Barbadian ancestry. And not only that, both presidents came from the same family, the Barclays. In addition, the Barclay family consisted of very strong women who were the backbone to the success of their men." Read more on the Barbados-Liberian Connection

Watch Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole jostle for position in the History Books -- Horrible Histories is a BBC television historical sketch show for children...

EXTRACT from BGIS Article: "Mr. Diène proposed that, even before determining benefits, it was crucial for there to be an examination of what heritage denoted and how it was presented. He underlined that "the two dominant features of enslavement are silence and invisibility; the silence on the history of slavery and the invisibility of [the people]. One of the first challenges for modern tourism...is first to break the silence...the way tourism is practised, it wipes out the historical content and the meaning of the societies concerned; because the dominant factor is to promote [aesthetic]... According to the former UNESCO Director, modern tourism "in many ways is an avatar of the old ideology of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, the time of slavery, because its basic values are competition, domination, exploitation, profit. Are we going to accept this practice of tourism which cut us from our identities our true heritage?...[or are we] going to promote another type ...

Echoes Caribbean was launched this past month at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society. The editor, Mr. David Michael, is one of our graduates from the MA Heritage Studies programme and he is an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of the region's heritage  -- so much so that he started his own magazine. Visit Echoes Caribbean for more information and pick up your copy from the Barbados Museum and Historical Society in the Garrison, St. Michael. The inaugural issue celebrates the inscription of Barbados' first World Heritage property, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

Please see the link for some Old Barbados Photos. Some of them have been identified as being taken in Jamaica, Trinidad or Grenada but the majority are in Barbados. Enjoy! http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribbeanphotoarchive/sets/72157608812597002/