2008-2009 Schedule

Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions Upcoming Trips

INVENTORY OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN SAN PEDRO de MACORIS, DOMINICA REPUBLIC Jan 2 - 8, 2009
CVE will be surveying and photographing the historic buildings of San Pedro de Macoris, a town which was populated by people from English speaking islands- Cocolos- seeking employment in the sugar plantations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Our project will coincide with the local Gulayos Dance festival, honoured with a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Award in 2005.
We will be staying at a beach front hotel in the resort town of Juan Dolio. Optional trip to Santo Domingo Jan 8-10. Cost: Inquire

JEWISH CEMETERY INVENTORY, Orange St. Elliston Rd. Hunt's Bay, Jamaica Mar 22-28 2009
Caribbean Volunteer Expeditions will continue with its historic Jewish cemetery inventory again this year in the Kingston area surveying two smaller cemeteries, and well as checking inventory work, done last year at Hunt's Bay. Jews escaping from prosecution in Europe settled in many Caribbean islands, and were instrumental in sugar plantation technology. Volunteers will be conducting an inventory, photographing, and mapping of the site. Contact: ahershaia@aol.com Cost: Inquire

PRESERVATION PROJECTS IN NEVIS
We can provide you with a custom designed volunteer preservation project in beautiful Nevis. We will arrange a work project as well as the dates, and accommodations to suit your interests, abilities, schedule and budget. Work can include archival and display work at one of the museums in Nevis or gardening, clearing, or light construction work on historic structures. Two of the CVE group leaders live in Nevis and will coordinate the project with the Nevis Historic and Conservation Society. Contact: Anne Hersh: ahershcve@aol.com

SAN SALVADOR, BAHAMAS: Mapping at plantation site Dec 13- 20, 2009
San Salvador Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is one of the eastern most islands of this archipelago off the southeast coast of Florida, and was the first landfall of Columbus in 1492. The island is pristine, ringed with beautiful beaches. We will be working with archaeologist, John Winter, who has had over 25 years experience working in archaeology on San Salvador. The island was first inhabited by Indians who migrated from South America, and later by Loyalists, fleeing the US after the revolutionary war. Archaeological finds have included Indian, Spanish, and other European colonists artifacts. Accommodations are double occupancy, motel-type rooms at the Gerace Research Center. Contact: ahershcve@aol.com or srice@stotac.com Cost: Inquire

Elderhostel Projects 2007-2008

CVE runs projects for Elderhostel volunteers (55 and older), and one must contact Elderhostel (617 426 7788) or www.elderhostel.org - for more information and registration. The Elderhostel Schedule:

15107 BRIMSTONE HILL PRESERVATION, ST KITTS    DEC14-21 2008 and Feb 8-15, 2009
Brimstone Hill Fortress on the island of St. Kitts is known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies. Unfortunately, time and the environment are beginning to take their toll on this magnificent 18th century UNESCO World Heritage site. Our first project will be to clear vegetation from the magazine and water cistern at the Magazine Bastion. When the vegetation has been removed from the masonry work, an assessment of the structures will be made, and photographs and measurements taken. Participants will be exposed to the history of St. Kitts and the West Indies, enjoy visits to some of the more off-the beaten track parts of the island and meet and interact with some really interesting people. We will be staying at the beachfront Timothy Beach Resort.   For information on Brimstone Hill: www.brimstonehillfortress.org

3594    ST KITTS CEMETERY INVENTORY Dec 7 - 15, 2008 and Feb 15 - 22 , 2009
CVE works with the St Kitts Heritage Society on a cemetery inventory which provides important genealogical information to the island.. Lodging at beachfront hotel. . Participants will be exposed to the history of St. Kitts and the West Indies, enjoy visits to some of the more off-the beaten track parts of the island and meet and interact with some really interesting people. We will be staying at the beachfront Timothy Beach Resort.   David Rollinson droll@eastlink.ca

3708   ST. JOHN PRESERVATION JAN 11- 18 AND MAR 22 - 29 2009
We work with the National Park Service archaeologist and cultural resource manager to explore, document, and photograph former plantation sites, as well as clearing and stabilizing historic ruins within the National Park. Lodging: Eco-resort: Maho Bay Campground- cabins with electricity;

3587 ST CROIX HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT Jan 18- 25, 2009
Volunteers will work with the St. Croix Landmarks Society on a variety of historic preservation projects at the Estate Whim Plantation or at Estate Little La Grange. Both sites include factory buildings and a great house. Estate Whim includes a wind tower, and Little La Grange includes a former aqueduct and animal round used in the crushing of the cane .   Volunteers will help with light construction, landscape work, and sorting collections as well as helping with the Landmarks Society Library and Archives (located at Whim). Lodging at the Frederiksted Hotel.

3705 Old San Juan Historic Site January 25 - Feb 1, 2009
Fort San Cristobal and El Morro, located in Old San Juan, are some of the best remaining Spanish fortifications in the New World. The forts date from eighteenth century, and are part of the impressive defense system, including walls, that the Spanish built to protect Old San Juan. We will be assisting the National Park Service with preservation projects at these forts. Work can include assessments, surveys and actual light construction, such as painting and carpentry. Volunteers will be staying at a hotel right in Old San Juan, with time to explore this fascinating city. David Rollinson droll@eastlink.ca

ANTIGUA HISTORIC FORTS ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT Feb 1-8, 2009
Antigua was an important center for the British military in the 17th through 19th centuries, and many historic military structures and sites remain. Volunteers will be assisting Antigua archaeologist, Reg Murphy with archaeology related to the historic military sites in Antigua. Tasks will include digging, sorting, washing, and laboratory work. Included are lectures and field trips related to archaeology, and the history and architecture of Antigua. Accommodation at beach front hotel; meals at various local restaurants.

3597   WINGFIELD ARCHAEOLOGY, ST KITTS   Feb 22- Mar 1, 2009
Participants will be working with David Rollinson on archaeology at the Wingfield Plantation- a former sugar plantation with fascinating ruins including a factory, great house, and aqueduct to the former water wheel used for grinding sugar cane. Participants will be exposed to the history of St. Kitts and the West Indies, enjoy visits to some of the more off-the beaten track parts of the island and meet and interact with some really interesting people. We will be staying at the beachfront Timothy Beach Resort.

14918 SAN SALVADOR, BAHAMAS: ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT March 15-22,2009
See description above. Volunteers will be working on an archaeological project with John Winter. Accommodations are double occupancy, motel-type rooms at the Gerace Research Center.