As the saying goes, ‘we have not inherited this earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children,’ which I have found to be a very accurate statement.
As the Trust’s Historic Programs manager for the last year and a half, I have made presentations to audiences that have included leaders in our community, the average person as well as many children, all of which I have found extremely well received and appreciated by the public.
There are two memories I will always hold close to my heart as they relate directly to children while visiting the Mission House, the home of my ancestors.
The first involves the two young descendants of Captain Allie Ebanks and Bennie Ross having a health and lively debate of who had the most impressive grandparents.
I thought, ‘how refreshing’!
The second involved a little girl who visited the Mission House with her school group and then referred her summer camp class to visit the MH site simply because she had enjoyed the slide presentation of our built heritage and the tour of that historic home site.
When children find history and preservation this engaging and enjoyable, that it the best compliment I could ever be bestowed, because it proves to me that our children are watching our example and willing to follow our lead.
This level of education and preservation is made possible by the work of National Trust’s staff, board members and founders. To have the foresight to actively preserve what is of value to our islands environment and history is a legacy we should all take the time to participate in. I offer my sincere thanks to life changing events which unfolded in 2001 as it gave me the opportunity to begin as a volunteer, go on to become a member or the board and most recently to become an employee of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Congratulations to all those who have come before me at Trust and for all their hard work invested to carry the Trust to an age of maturity and credibility. I am proud to be of service to such a worthy organization. Happy Birthday, National Trust!
Denise Bodden,
Historic Programs manager for the National Trust for the Cayman Islands
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