Members of the late Captain Keith P. Tibbetts Sr.’s family were filled with emotion at the opening of the Cayman Brac Museum’s latest exhibit, ‘Son of the Soil and Man of Diverse Nature’.
The “priceless” display was unveiled on 13 Jan. during an official ceremony marking the museum’s 40th anniversary.
Tibbetts Sr., who passed away in 1996, was appointed to the Assembly of Justices and Vestry in 1947, which later became the Legislative Assembly, and now known as the House of Parliament.
In the 1980s, Tibbetts was the proprietor of KP Tibbetts Variety Store in Cayman Brac. The Capt. Keith Tibbetts Family Keson Poultry Farm was recognised at the 2016 National Heroes Day celebration as an early pioneer for significant contributions prior to 1960 to the development and/or delivery of agriculture in the Cayman Islands.
“We were elated to see the display highlighting our dad,” three of his children – Ian Tibbetts, Wanda Tatum, and Nathaniel Tibbetts Sr. – said in a joint statement to the Compass.
“We thoroughly enjoyed all of the exhibit. It made us very proud to see some of daddy’s major life events and contributions recognised in this way. The exhibit was a welcomed step back in time, our hearts were touched and our eyes watery.”
The children said some of the items viewed in the exhibit, “took us back to his days in his office at TibMart and the family home at The Bight on the Brac. To be able to share that with his grand and great grandkids was priceless.”
Mariah Tibbetts, one of his granddaughters, said, “It was so heartwarming to see my grandfather honoured in this special way. I’m excited that others will get to learn about some of the special moments in his life that have helped shaped our country. He’s a true Caymanian hero in my eyes; seeing the legacy he has left for the Cayman Islands inspires me to do better every day.”
She added, “There were smiles galore and even some happy tears when it was unveiled. We were flooded with nostalgia as we got to recount some of our cherished memories of him.”
Along with family members of the late captain, also attending the exhibition were Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Minister for Heritage Isaac Rankine and MP Moses Kirkconnell.
For some four decades, District Commissioner for the Sister Islands Mark Tibbetts said, the oldest museum in the Cayman Islands has been true to its motto, ‘Keeping in touch with the past’.
“The opening of the newest exhibit was ‘a major highlight’ of the anniversary celebrations,” he told the Compass.
“Captain Keith, as he was fondly known, was quoted as saying, ‘All I wanted to do was build boats’; however, he accomplished so much for our islands during his lifetime,” Tibbetts said.
“I encourage everyone to visit the exhibit and take the time to catch a glimpse into the life of this remarkable forefather, whose remarkable history is undeniable.”
In addition to the new exhibit, the family-oriented anniversary celebrations held at the Cayman Brac Museum in Stake Bay and on the lawn of the nearby District Administration building, included live musical entertainment by JR Douglas Band and the Cayman Brac Kitchen Band, storytelling from community elders, games, demonstrations, and local food.
Related Videos
