The Trust operates out of the Oriole Complex and is located on the Salem main road below the Montserrat Secondary School and The Montserrat Community College.
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Replica of the MNT Headquarters in Plymouth
(now destroyed) serves as the directors office. |
The Library, which is filled with important historical documents and information about the island’s natural environment, is open to scholars and researchers. There are also documents to help trace your genealogy.
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The Library
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The Botanical Gardens has a variety of local plants and trees, and better still ask one of our veteran tour guides to give you a guided tour of the grounds. You can also purchase a variety of plants from the nursery to beautify your own garden.
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| The National Trust Gardens |
In the Oriole Gift Shop, be sure to book a guided tour on one or more of the scenic nature trails developed by the Trust. Buy souvenirs and gift items from a range of local arts and crafts, preserves, books, videos, and postcards. Before you leave, you may post your cards at the Philatelic Bureau in the same complex.
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| Products on display at the gift shop |
The Natural History Centre is the largest room in the Trust complex, built over an existing swimming pool that serves as a cistern; it is a popular and easily accessible focus of interest at the Trust Headquarters. Rotating exhibitions through the years have attracted many visitors, students and Montserratians. It is a favourable venue for environmental workshops and ceremonies such as the launch of the National Dress in 2003 and the annual Calabash Festival. In the adjoining courtyard, masqueraders and musicians have entertained many appreciative audiences. But the space is limited: Storage space is very inadequate and exhibits are sometimes crowded. Having lost our museum in Plymouth, numerous artefacts are presently being stored but not under ideal conditions.
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| The Natural History Centre |
Visiting historians and museum curators have advised and recommended an extension to the present building and this is a priority project. Help with the interior has been promised, but it is up to the Trust to provide the bricks and mortar funds. Seed money is available from a bequest fund and the Montserrat Foundation has given us EC$6,000 towards the project. The Trust will have to raise the rest of the cost itself no easy task in an island this small with a diminished population and many competing organisations.
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