[CPProt.net] Bermuda. Protecting our museums and historic homes

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

December 13. 2005 10:31AM

Protecting our museums and historic homes
  By Tricia Walters
 

The director of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), Wendy
Tucker, feels that more needs to be done to secure the Island's heritage for
future generations. 
She said the top priority for any museum should be a state-of-the-art
security system. Yet many of the Island's historic homes and museums have
none.
In July, tourists visiting the National Maritime Museum in Dockyard reported
a missing exhibit from one of the displays in the Treasury Room.
It was discovered that thieves made off with a gold nugget (circa 1621), a
large round gold ingot (circa 1595) and a gold chain (circa 1621). But the
exact date of the theft remains unknown.
Ms Tucker felt it was unacceptable for something like this to happen,
especially following the 1975 "incident" involving a gold cross her father,
Teddy Tucker, discovered in 1955. 
The 22-karat item, originally on display at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and
Zoo was transferred to the Bermuda Maritime Museum in Dockyard in 1975. 
Mr. Tucker was asked to show the cross to the Queen, but just before she
arrived, he discovered that the cross had been replaced with a plastic
replica.
Scotland Yard and Interpol were alerted, but to date it has not been
recovered.
Prior to the theft of the gold artefacts from the Maritime Museum, steps had
already been taken to review security.
Museum executive director, Dr. Edward Harris said that a brand new security
system has since been installed and upgraded with the technology from a
local security company ISB.
BUEI has one of the most advanced security systems on the Island and spends
an average of $50,000 a year on security measures.
Ms Tucker said additional measures were in the process of being set up.
"It's a big responsibility having artefacts on loan from the community," she
said.
With crime on the increase in Bermuda, she felt it was more important than
ever to secure the Island's heritage and "treasures" - not only so that
future generations can appreciate them, but also for their educational
value.
"There are wonderful treasures currently kept at the Maritime Museum under
lock and key and not displayed that we would love to exhibit here at BUEI
and we have the security," she said.
Director of the National Trust, Steve Conway, said all National Trust
Museums have significant security and are monitored.
Director and Founder of Masterworks, Tom Butterfield, said they were in the
process of building a new art museum, due to be completed in 18 months,
which will have proper security measures. 
He said Masterworks' treasures which have been collected over the years are
kept at an overseas facility.
As for the new museum, Mr. Butterfield said every eventuality was taken care
of as far as security was concerned, which included art alarms, motion
detectors and additional security measures at every "conceivable place".
Director of the Bermuda National Gallery, Laura T. Gorham, said: "As the
Island's premier art museum, the Bermuda National Gallery is entrusted with
the care of Bermuda's national art treasures and we take that responsibility
very seriously by ensuring that we have security technology in place to
protect them. 
"Indeed, one of the criteria the BNG had to meet in its founding was to
match international standards of climate and security control. While we are
not prepared to discuss any details of our system, we are ensuring that
Bermuda's art heritage remains safe and secure. 
"We are constantly assessing our needs and indeed are currently looking to
upgrade our security technology in the near future." 

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