It will take an estimated $8.6 million to restore and develop the future home of the National Museum of The Bahamas, according to Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) Chairman Dean Patrick Adderley during a press conference at AMMC headquarters on Collins Avenue yesterday.
In January last year, the roof of Collins House was completely restored at a cost of $430,000, and to date the government has spent over $2.4 million on the infrastructure and landscaping of the grounds.  The complete restoration of Collins House requires the structural restoration and refurbishment of the building's interior and exterior.  This will be done in two phases.
To this end, the chairman revealed the AMMC's upcoming fundraising efforts yesterday, which will include a classical music concert that will be held at Government House on February 25.
"The event is the first to mark fundraising activities towards the establishment of the National Museum at Collins House," he said.
Adderley, who was appointed chairman last month, also disclosed that the AMMC will organize a major object collection drive for the National Museum later this year.
"Our institution will be one that Bahamians will be proud of and it will showcase all aspects of the collective history, cultural traditions and environment of The Bahamas," he added.
AMMC is the premier heritage and cultural preservation agency in The Bahamas, and is responsible for historic sites such as Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Pompey Museum, among others.
"In April 2011, Sir Durward Knowles made a very significant national gesture by donating his Olympic gold medal and other medals in his collection to the National Museum.  He encouraged other Bahamians to make donations in support of the cause," said Adderley during the press conference.
Joann DeVeaux-Callender, Bahamian composer, singer and author will be the guest artist at the concert, which will aid in the fundraising efforts.
She will be accompanied by a host of other classical artist including classical vocalist Jack Foley and Bahamian base baritone Franz Hepburn.
The AMMC also wants to refurbish Fort Fincastle, and signed a contract earlier this month to build new vendor stalls to maintain the facility's attractiveness and appeal.
Adderley said that in the past Bahamians have lacked interest in restoring historic buildings, and a lot of buildings "were needlessly torn down and destroyed", but there is now a greater awareness of the need to preserve.

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