The controversy which surrounded the investigation into the theft of two Cazabon paintings from the National Museum last year only served to highlight the extent to which mismanagement and neglect have affected the nation's foremost repository of heritage materials.
Stuffed birds, reptiles, shells
The museum owes its genesis to a collection of oddities displayed at the Red House which attracted the curiosity of many, including JH Collens, who wrote in 1887:"Here are filed copies of every newspaper published in the island. At the lower end of the room are some cases of stuffed native birds, presented to the colony by the late Dr Leotaud, whose Ornithology of Trinidad is a standard work. The interesting collection of reptiles was given by the late Dr Court, and in the cabinet will be found a really valuable though little appreciated assortment of shells, the gift of the widow of the late Governor Keate. There is, in fact, the nucleus of a good local museum; what a pity more is not made of it! The shells should be arranged by some competent person, Mr JL Guppy, for instance, who is an authority on such matters, and placed in glass cases where they could be seen without being handled.
"It is well known that collectors of curiosities have few scruples of conscience, and if this lot of shells does not become smaller by degrees and beautifully less, I shall be agreeably surprised. The bottles of snakes and other reptiles should be labelled; specimens of the huge anaconda and rattlesnake, etc, might be added."It would be no difficult task to obtain in a very few weeks whole cases full of butterflies, beetles, etc. With all these properly arranged, classified and displayed to the best advantage, the colony would be able to boast in a short time of a very creditable museum. British Guiana has one–why not Trinidad?"The attraction of these displays was enough to galvanise the Governor into action, as Collens also recounted:"Since the above lines were penned, Sir Wm Robinson has taken the initiative in the matter, and has started a movement to establish, in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee, a Victoria Institute, to combine within itself the Scientific Association, the Agricultural Society, the Public Library, and a Museum, and it will contain a large hall suitable for lectures, conversaziones, concerts, meetings, and exhibitions. The idea is a magnificent one, and is thoroughly worthy of the support of all who have the welfare of the colony at heart."A central committee has been appointed, with the Hon SH Gatty, Attorney-General, at its head, and already a very fair amount has been subscribed towards an institution which, as the Governor very pertinently remarks, 'if established and properly managed, cannot fail to be of permanent benefit to present and future generations in this her Majesty's colony of Trinidad.'"
Opening in 1892
On September 17, 1892, the Royal Victoria Institute was formally opened by the Surveyor General, Sylvester M Devenish, on behalf of Sir F Napier Broome, the Governor, who was ill. Not only did the RVI serve as a museum, but it was also a civic and community centre.The ornate edifice encompassed all the functions it was designed for, and especially the museum which housed the aforementioned collections, and several other priceless artefacts including a portfolio of 17th-century documents related to Spanish Trinidad, loaned by the Portel family of St Joseph.
In 1913, the King Edward VII Memorial Wing was added, along with the Marie Louise Hall, which was opened by its namesake, Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
1920 fire
On April 1, 1920, disaster struck when the building was completely gutted by fire, destroying many irreplaceable items. Witnesses told of hearing the alcohol-filled jars of reptile specimens exploding like mortar bombs. Also destroyed was a specimen which was then considered the world's largest centipede, which had been caught on Chacachacare Island.The structure was rebuilt and opened in June 1923, although it was many years before enough of a collection was assembled again to reopen the museum.During WWII, classes were held here in garment construction, carpentry and food preparation in order to teach people how to be more self-sufficient. Meetings of war-support associations were also held here.In 1958, the Federal Court of the ill-starred West Indies Federation (which would collapse three years later) was convened in the Marie Louise Hall.After Independence in 1962, the Royal Victoria Institute was re-purposed as the National Museum and Art Gallery.