Doongalik
Studios will host the Book Launch of Allan Murray’s book The Colourful History of The Bahamas: A Souvenir Guide for Visitors on
Sunday, November 15 from 3-6pm.
The
origin of this new book can be traced
back to the summer of 1972 when John Chaplin, Headmaster of St. Andrew’s
School, asked Murray, a newly recruited history teacher, to introduce an 8-week
course in Bahamian History. During this time Murray’s job was to prepare
students for the British-based GCE examination so no Bahamian History was
taught. It was not until 1992 that a Bahamian-based syllabus was finally introduced
for the new BJC and BGCSE Exams to test students’ knowledge of Bahamian and
West Indian History.
Murray’s
preparations for the new syllabus, guided by The Story of The Bahamas by Paul Albury, A History of The Bahamas by Michael Craton, and later the superb Islanders in the Stream by Michael
Craton and Gail Saunders, led to the publication by Media Enterprise of his
first textbook: Bahamian History Highlights – Condensed
and Illustrated which became available for BGSCE History students in 1999.
About
ten years later, on a visit to Vancouver Island, Murray came across a little
souvenir guide to the history of Victoria. It had only 34 pages, with just a
little explanatory text, but it was illustrated with the most beautiful
photographs of the city. An idea began to form - why not a similar little book
about The Bahamas? The history was
already there, and plenty of pictorial material was available, thanks to his
wife, Stephanie to whom the book is dedicated. Murray has been suitably
inspired by her collections of old photographs, documents, prints and maps, some
of which are reproduced by permission in the book. Over the next five years, a
number of people – family, friends, and associates – contributed to the
development of the finished product.
The Colourful History of
The Bahamas
offers no new history but rather an introduction to many of the interesting
characters who have come to the islands in years gone by. With 34 pages and
short explanatory text, it is filled with more than 80 illustrations from the
past and the present and will be an added bonus to the millions of visitors who
come to The Bahamas each year.
At
the Launch, when Murray will be available to sign his book, some of the book’s
illustrations will be on display as well as a power point presentation which
will be followed up later this month with an evening Author’s Talk along with a
more extensive power point presentation.
For
more information please contact the Gallery at 394-1886. Gallery hours are
Monday – Wednesday from 10am – 4pm.
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