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Discover the Ambergris Museum
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| Pictured on the left below is a model of
the Elsa P. a boat used to transport passengers/cargo between the island
and the mainland.
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By Dan and Eileen Jamison
On February 4, 1998 the Ambergris Museum and Cultural Center officially
opened its doors to the public. The independently funded, non-profit
museum is located at Island Plaza on Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro Town
and is open Monday-Saturday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6
p.m. Through the combined efforts of many people, the islands' history
has come to life. Curator Peter Laws extends an invitation to come in
and see the history of Ambergris Caye from early Mayan culture pieces to
an interactive touch screen display of Belize.
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| Curator Peter Laws hangs
one of the new Mayan weavings
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Upon entering the air-conditioned facility, discover a "message in a
bottle" with messages provided by local students. Stepping in to the
Mayan section, you will discover, among other things, a cylinder vase
dated middle classic period (400-650 A.D.) found in a grave at Chac
Balam. A recent addition are the many colorful Mayan weavings. Also
shown here are the many ways the Mayans altered their appearance through
body adornments and sculpting.
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| A saxophone used (circa 1927)in "La Banda de San Pedro."
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Traveling through the next doorway you'll discover the Colonial
period. Here you will find a list of early settlers to San Pedro and how
the town got its name along with many more interesting items. A more
recent item on loan is a saxophone that was used in the "Banda de San
Pedro" that won the national competition in Loyola Park, Belize City in
1927. Articles lent to the museum are courtesy
of Belize Department of Archaeology and the people of Ambergris Caye.
Pieces are not purchased, but can be donated or lent.
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| Mayan pottery
on display. One of the finest examples of Mayan pottery in Belize, the
plumbate vase (on the right) was found at San Juan.
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Attendant Pinita Verde will gladly accept your admission, $5 for
adults and $2 for children. Groups can be scheduled by appointment by
calling 2298. Also available are the "Friends of Ambergris Museum and
Cultural Center" memberships. For more information stop by the museum.
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Discover the Ambergris Museum
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Copyright 1997, San Pedro Sun. Design by Casado Internet Group
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