The damaged historic site of Miss Izzy’s Schoolhouse in West Bay is newly cleaned up, with key elements of the building salvaged, in a recent project that saw skilled volunteers lend a big helping hand.
CCA volunteer hard at work cleaning up and salvaging at the Miss Izzys Schoolhouse site in West Bay. Photo: Submitted |
Twenty-three volunteers from various companies in the Cayman Contractors Association, along with some additional volunteers, devoted time on Saturday, 12 April to the project in order to help the National Trust for the Cayman Islands in its preservation efforts.
‘There were carpenters, masons, electricians, A/C installers, plumbers and labourers. However, that day we all worked as labourers,’ said President of the Cayman Contractors Association Steve Hawley.
Eight companies participated, including Phoenix Construction, Condor Properties, McAlpine, Mega Systems, Alba Electrical, Island Builders, Mike’s Ice and Royal Construction. Additionally, some members of CAMBIE, the social group associated with Mike’s Group of Companies, also helped out.
Miss Izzy’s Schoolhouse, located at the end of Farrington Lane in West Bay, is over 100 years old and was unfortunately destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.
The schoolhouse was an excellent example of an original wattle and daub, cabin style home with the classic hip roof.
The building and site were historically important also because of their association with private school education in the mid 1940’s.
Historic Programmes Manager with the National Trust, Denise Bodden said, ‘This was the first opportunity since Hurricane Ivan that we had a group of volunteers such as this say they were ready to get the job done. The Cayman Contractor’s Association should really be patted on the back for this.’
Throughout the day, from 9am to 2pm volunteers removed four truckloads of rubble to the landfill.
Also, salvaged for possible future use in projects by the National Trust were ironwood posts, doors and windows, a large section of roof, two wattle and daub exterior wall sections, some of the old wooden school benches, blackboards and about a dozen pencils.
‘In spite of the hard work, everyone enjoyed the project and there was a lot of laughter on site,’ said Mr. Hawley. ‘The project was a success in every way. CCA members are eager to develop an ongoing relationship with the Trust, whereby we can assist them in the preservation of historic structures.’
Ms Bodden expressed her hope that other local contractors will come on board to assist the Trust with some of its other sites. ‘This helps enrich their understanding of Cayman culture and history,’ she said, adding that such knowledge or awareness of old homes by local contractors is always a help to the National Trust.
She also noted that it would be helpful to have some more carpenters, in particular, come on board to help in future.
CCA members’ interest for the cause came about after Ms Bodden gave a talk to them on saving Cayman’s older buildings.
Mr. Hawley said, ‘We are now creating a list of equipment and vehicles that can be offered to the Trust when needed, as well as a list of volunteers.
‘Judging by the support we have received for the schoolhouse project, I believe that we will have a resource list that is extensive enough that volunteers will be utilised on a rotating basis, so that we are not overtaxing just a small group.’
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