Lighthouse renovations?

[Vince]

Too kool!

[Bnewb]

And although these papers are only weather records that in no way diminishes their historical value. Im surprised Rob that you dont see the importance of the Jamaican goverment needing to perserve these.

Onthecorner...Rob definitely did not say anything about the importance of "needing to perserve these" documents. Rob is a major history buff and would never say anything to that effect. Please go back and reread what he wrote.

You might be more annoyed at me for saying and I'll quote myself...
"Maybe I'm the only one...but I'm not sure why the Jamaican government needs to be berated from not maintaining barometric pressure paperwork from the 1890's...other than it's a kinda cool factor."

I did not say anything in regards to what you're suggesting either...I'll clarify my annoyance a bit more.
It drives me crazy when a government that is limited in resources and money gets berated by people from a first world country and especially over saving barometric paperwork...this is still a developing country...and, they are trying their best with what they currently have...as has been pointed out with Port Royal.
And to jump to the conclusion that this paperwork has not been recorded somewhere is a bit premature. Shouldn't we get the facts before berating anyone.

And, for the record...I've worked in many museums...my family owned an antique business that also donated items of historical significance to some of these museums. I'm very aware of the importance of history...it's intrinsic value and it's cash value!!

[Rob]

Yah, the records probably have no intrinsic, useful value. However they are an historical record. Part of the history of Jamaica. A civilized nation preserves its history. I suppose the Jamaican government is an easy target. Then, whom shall we berate, the lighthouse keeper?

Just to add to Lisa's comments, if anyone feels the need to shame or berate anyone, make sure you blame the offending entity.

If everything in the photographs are taken at face value to be true, the "uncivilized" country not preserving its records as Papa Georgie says would be none other than the British Empire. They had 64 years to preserve those daily weather records from 1898 , yet have been blamed for leaving them to the elements in the lighthouse. Please note, Jamaica did not gain independence until 1962. The British had ample time to handle the records correctly.

As Lisa pointed out, how does anyone know that the British didnt made copies of the original information? As Papa says, civilized countries do that and the British Empire was considered civilized, so that would imply that the British would have made copies and preserved that information.

I been have dealing with mounds of paperwork records for decades here and things are becoming more computerized everyday. What took months to accomplish in the 1990's now takes days.

Why "berate" when you could "big up"?

[rjonsun]

It doesn't surprise me that the 1898 records are still intact. I have at least a dozen books from the 1850's in my library. Many of the covers show heavy wear as they were used for sermon preparation, but the paper is still in great shape. I think it was in the 1930' & 40's when they started using the junk paper in paperbacks that deteriorated badly.
One other photo I found also from 2007.

Regards,
Bob

[Captain Oil]

Very interesting about the weather records from 1890's ................ BUT what about the original question concerning renovations to the lighthouse and is it closed ?

[Georgia]

Georgia...we'll try to get up there today to check it out and cool pic...thanks.
Though on the property numerous time, for some reason I've never been up to the top.

Thanks Lisa - whenever you happen to be going by is fine... we won't be there for a few weeks yet. Worth a walk to the top for the views (and the exercise?)

[Georgia]

Thanks Georgia even those papers one dated 1968 should have been cared for. This is history of a great landmark just carelessly left laying around with no thought of it's historical value. Why doesn't it surprise me. I hope they were put away somewhere to be saved for future people to enjoy.

What I recall from my visit there is that the papers were on display for all visitors to see.

[eddiemingus]

There are three little cottages on the property. One of those should be turned into the mueseum where the records would be put in a glass case and not left out to be handled by people. This lighthouse and it's Fresnel lens are in excellent shape and a true treasure of the Jamaican people. The lens is the most important part of a lighthouse and the vast majority world wide have a Fresnel lens. Everyone who posted on this site and everything they said came from the heart a little criticism can go a long way to make people or governments aware of whats important and worth protecting.

[Papa Georgie]

Everyone who posted on this site and everything they said came from the heart a little criticism can go a long way to make people or governments aware of whats important and worth protecting.

Well said EddieMingus.

[Rob]

I... I think it was in the 1930' & 40's when they started using the junk paper in paperbacks that deteriorated badly...
Regards,
Bob

rjonsun,

Thanks for the information. I wonder if the paper was made with hemp?