The National Park Service (NPS) reopens its Salt River Bay Visitor Contact Center above Columbus Landing next Wednesday, Nov. 14. NPS will open a new set of exhibits in acknowledgment of the 519th anniversary of the first armed encounter between the Old and New Worlds when Christopher Columbus’s flotilla arrived on Ay Ay (St. Croix, USVI). “Artifacts of St. Croix’s Past” celebrates Folmer Andersen’s archaeological collection from St. Croix, one of the largest in the Caribbean. The exhibit presents a series of photographs of artifacts in the collection produced by David Berg and Sarene Brumant. Dr. Josh Torres, NPS-Cultural Resource Program manager, has written descriptions explaining the meaning and context of the artifacts represented. The exhibit will be open Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. until June, except for holidays.
On Wednesday night, from 6-7 p.m., Dr. Joshua Torres will give a public lecture entitled “Navigating Cultures: Models of Migration and the pre-Contact Caribbean Cultural Mosaic.” This talk is based on Dr. Torres’ continuing research on the indigenous history of the region. Kiki and the Flaming Gypsies will present an interpretive fire dance choreographed specifically for the occasion at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments and activities for children will be on hand when the doors open at 5 p.m.
At this time, some of the current conceptual drawings for the Joint Institute for Caribbean Marine Studies-NPS-Government of the Virgin Islands’ Marine Research Education Center will be on display for the general public to view.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Visitor Contact Center will again be open for a public lecture by Dr. Antonio Curet from the Field Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Department, as part of the St. Croix Archaeological Society’s annual meeting program. Dr. Curet will present a talk at 10 a.m. entitled “Caciques, Bateys and Plazas: The Archaeological Project of the Ceremonial Center of Tibes, Puerto Rico.” Dr. Curet is a specialist in Taino archaeology and the prehistory of the Greater Antilles.
This initiative is part of the NPS’s public information campaign to raise awareness of Salt River Bay’s important cultural and natural resources, and the joint role that the government of the Virgin Islands. The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience V.I. heritage. It thanks all of our community members for their continued support for Salt River Bay. www.nps.gov
