News

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non-governmental organization whose mandate under the National Trust Law (2010 Revision) includes the preservation of the historic, natural and maritime heritage of the Cayman Islands for present and future generations through the preservation of areas, sites, buildings, structures and objects of historic or cultural significance. Accordingly, in keeping with its mandate, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI) has now formally launched its ‘Historic Preservation Fund’, for the purpose of giving persons and organisations an alternative convenient method by which to financially contribute and directly support the preservation, protection and promotion of built heritage throughout the Cayman Islands. “We encourage our community to contribute to the Historic Preservation Fund and, by so doing, join the NTCI’s legacy of protecting Cayman’s treasured historic sites. There has always been a need for specific funding to protect the historic structures from our past, which in many instances require a substantial amount of maintenance and care” stated Annick Jackman, Executive Director of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. A fundamental part of the NTCI’s Historic Programme involves documenting the buildings from our past that bare a special significance as a result of distinguishing characteristics such as the material used in their construction, the persons who built them, the time at which they were built and the events that took place in the location. In addition, our Historic Programme offers an educational component through visiting schools, preparing educational materials, and providing tours to our historic properties, as well as by ensuring the preservation of historic sites that are safeguarded by the National Trust. “It is of the greatest importance that efforts are made to reach out to the public for assistance at this time, as Cayman’s culture and heritage have never been so at risk by the rapid pace of development and a deficit of general knowledge around the area of Cayman built heritage,” Ms. Jackman added. Currently, there are 12 historic sites, across the three islands, that make up the National Trust’s inventory which require continuous maintenance, advocacy, oversight, research and data collection, as well as fundraising. However, there are scores more (which are not owned or managed by the National Trust) that could benefit greatly from the reach/remit of our Historic Programme and the newly launched Historic Preservation Fund.