Volunteer Museo Tula projects, Curacao, Netherland Antilles January 17- 21, 2011

CARIBBEAN VOLUNTEER EXPEDITIONS

Project Description

Located only 35 miles north of Venezuela, Curacao is roughly 40 miles long and has a breezy, arid environment.  Join us as we return to assist Museo Tula staff in interpreting for the elementary school children the unearthed artifacts from our last project at Fort Knip, a mid-to late-18th century Dutch-built munitions house.  Helen Ross, architectural historian, will again lead the CVE group.  We will be providing three workshops for the school groups. In addition we will measure and draw a well on the grounds of Museo Tula. If time and interest permit we may conduct an architectural survey of an area of worker housing in downtown Willemstad known as Fleur de Marie.

History

The Caiquetio branch of the Arawak Indians inhabited Curacao around 500 A.D. Evidence of their existence is found in cave paintings, ceramic goods and religious items. After the Europeans  arrived they ended up transporting the Caquietios as slaves to work in salt mines on the island of Hispaniola. By the first quarter of the 16th century, Spanish settlers had formed a government.  Later in 1634, Dutch armies fought, and won, the right to control the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. In that same year the Dutch West India Company founded their administrative headquarters in Willemstad. Peter Stuyvesant became Curacao’s first governor in 1638, and later, leader of all of the New Netherlands. Most notable of his accomplishments was to divide the island into estates, each with its own landhuis (Dutch for mansion) and second, establish a depot critical in the import and export of African slaves to the American colonies.

Accommodations

We will be staying in apartment-like units with kitchens and close proximity to LagunBeach.  Meals will be on your own with picnic lunches in the field.

Free Time Activities

Willemstad has a striking collection of Dutch colonial architecture and is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Curacao offers some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. Upscale stores filled with local goods and European imports line pedestrian-friendly streets in Punda, Willemstad. The island has over three dozen beaches so opportunities for swimming and snorkeling abound. Or if you prefer hiking find a partner and explore the trails of the national parks of Cristoffel and Shete Boca.

 

Flights

When you arrive by air, your plane will land at Hato International Airport, located on the north coast about six miles from the capital of Willemstad. We will let you know further details. It is the responsibility of the participant to arrange and purchase airplane tickets.

Cost

The lump sum $375 includes supplies and CVE fee, travel insurance and project leader expenses. This does not include airfare, room, car rental, fuel costs, food, or incidentals.

Contact

For further information, contact Helen Ross 1310 Franklin Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-4502 USA; telephone (540) 371 2662; and 214hpross[at]cox.net.  If you are interested in this project, please fill out the attached form, and she will be sending you additional information by regular mail.

CVE

CARIBBEAN VOLUNTEER EXPEDITIONS

BOX 388, CORNING, NY 14830

T 607 962 7846 F 607 935 1153 EMAIL: ahershcve[at]aol.com