Archives Department Makes Progress in Salvaging Documents Following Fire Incident: Minister Munro-Knight Provides Update
July 20, 2024
Minister Munro-Knight provides an update on salvage efforts at Archives Department after fire at Black Rock facility. Monument honoring community leaders unveiled. Plans for document restoration underway.
Efforts to salvage documents at the Archives Department are continuing, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight.
Fortunately, she added, they did not lose as much as they thought they did during the fire at the Lazaretto, Black Rock, St Michael facility on June 17.
She gave a brief update at Jessamine Avenue, Bayville, St Michael, yesterday where the Office of Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement of the Prime Minister’s Office unveiled a monument that honoured various community leaders.
“From the reports I have gotten, it seems like we are doing quite well. We haven’t lost as much as we thought that we did.
“Several documents in conservation were taken from that block a week before. However, we want to be able to do a thorough analysis and then we will make decisions about a course of action,” Munro-Knight said.
She said she was awaiting another report that would chart their plans.
The fire, which occurred at Block D of the property, started because of a lightning strike.
Early reports indicated that Vestry records, City Council Records, records of the Mental (Psychiatric) Hospital and the General Hospital were impacted. (TG)
