Information centre opens at 1763 Monument site

The 1763 Information Centre was officially declared open by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Monday as part of observances of the 250th anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion.

Minister Anthony, who delivered the feature presentation, stressed the importance of the year 1763, which focused not only on Cuffy, the leader of the Berbice revolt, but set the trend for the slaves fight for freedom. He observed that the information centre will enable the garnering of more knowledge on the events of that year, as well as the history of Guyana as a whole.
He stated that working with the Netherlands, Guyana has been given maps dating back to the time during the uprising, as well as four letters written by Cuffy in relation to the state of the territory during 1763. The letters are written in Old Dutch and are accompanied by English translations and will be displayed at the information centre shortly. Minister Anthony said the maps that were given are at the National Archives where they could be studied and historical markers would eventually be put down at the various important locations that constituted gatherings of slaves.
The minister pointed out that it is hoped that along with the various lectures and initiatives by the ministry, the information centre will act “as a window in time as to what was happening during slavery”. He said it was the obligation of all Guyanese to read about their history.
The 1763 information centre was constructed in 2011 as part of government’s initiative to improve national historical sites under the auspices of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the National Trust of Guyana. It arose out of the need to provide communities and people with easier access to more information about various aspects of the nation’s heritage.
The objective of the new institution is to serve as a visitor and research centre and repository containing information on the historical 1763 Monument, its significance and dates on African enslavement in Guyana, with illustrative exhibits in an effort to increase awareness and appreciation among Guyanese for these subjects in Guyanese history.
The centre, which is now a part of the National monument complex, will be managed by the Museum of African Heritage.