Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026

HLSCC's Virgin Islands studies institute collaborates with local author to launch illustrated book

HLSCC's Virgin Islands studies institute collaborates with local author to launch illustrated book

Director of the HLSCC’s Virgin Islands Studies Institute, Mrs. Bernadine Louis is collaborating with principal author and past HLSCC student, Gabrielle Skelton Bardo to co-author Book Two – Eastern Tortola of the Illustrated History of the Virgin Islands Series. The book’s cover and some of the content that will be included was recently shared at a book reveal event.
The series which will comprise of six (6) volumes with illustrations, cover each of the main islands and the outlying cays. Book two of the series will be launched later in the year.

Mrs. Louis said, “This project showcases the value of the Institute’s work to the community, as the Institute is a major source of information on Virgin Islands history and culture and can also provide research assistance and guidance for projects of this nature.”

Minister for Education, Culture, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley and President of the HLSCC, local author and poet laureate, Dr. Richard Georges both attended the event and gave encouraging remarks.

The six volumed project consists of a team of individuals throughout the community. In an editorial capacity, the team includes local historian, education stalwart and acclaimed author, Dr. Quincy Lettsome and HLSCC lecturer, Mrs. Medita Wheatley.

Vice-Chair of the HLSCC’s Board of Governors and Executive Director of Unite BVI, Dr. L Sauda Smith is also a mentor to the Book series project.

In addition to the book series project, a “Territorial doll” initiative was introduced with a team of young entrepreneurs including Local Designer, Kristin Frazer; Local Illustrators, Dwayne Mactavious and Jehiah Maduro; Zoe Walcott; Local Artist, Joseph Hodge and April Glasgow are also part of the project team.

Book one, authored by Gabrielle Skelton Bardo and illustrated by David Thrasher covers Central Tortola and was published in July of 2020. It highlights the territorial symbols and major historical landmarks in Road Town and the surrounding areas with eye-catching illustrations that can be coloured.

Territorial symbols such as the bird, tree, and dish; as well as landmarks such as Old Administration Building, Sir Olva Georges Plaza, Cottage Hospital/Peebles Hospital (now Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital), Old Her Majesty’s Prison, Sunday Morning Well, and more are included.

The Series will continue to highlight the historical and cultural information of the BVI elementary level curriculum.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Economy Faces Acute Strain as Trump’s Global Tariff Reshapes Trade Landscape
UK Signals Retaliation Is Possible as New US Tariff Policy Threatens Trade Stability
British Police Arrest Former Ambassador Peter Mandelson in Epstein-Related Misconduct Probe
Australia Officially Supports Proposal to Remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Royal Succession
Diverging Polls Show Mixed Signals on UK Economic Revival as Confidence Remains Fragile
Spotify Expands AI-Driven ‘Prompted Playlists’ Feature to the United Kingdom and Other Markets
Greens and Reform UK Surge in Manchester By-Election, Threatening Labour’s Historic Stronghold
UK Businesses Push for Closer European Trade Links Amid Renewed US Tariff Uncertainty
Deloitte Global Overhaul Sparks Leadership Contest in the United Kingdom
University of Kentucky and Microsoft to Showcase Campus-Wide AI Innovation
UK Food System Faces Acute Vulnerability to Shocks, Experts Warn
Reform UK’s Proposed ICE-Style Deportation Scheme Triggers Sharp Backlash
U.S. Global Tariff Push Leaves Britain, Australia and Others Facing Higher Costs and Trade Strain
UK Police Officers Guarded 2010 Epstein Dinner Attended by Prince Andrew, Reports Say
US Trade Representative Affirms Commitment to Existing Tariff Agreements with UK and Other Partners
Activists at the Louvre hung a framed Reuters photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor slumped in the back of a car leaving a police station on the day of his arrest
Metropolitan Police Deploys Palantir-Powered AI to Flag Potential Officer Misconduct
UK Parliament Rebukes Police Over Ban on Israeli Football Fans
Britain Emerges Among a Small Group of Nations Without a Religious Majority
UK’s Manufacturing Base at Risk as Soaring Energy Costs Weigh on Industry
Matt Goodwin’s Unconventional Campaign for Reform UK in the Gorton and Denton By-Election
US Military Movements in the UK Spark Speculation Over Preparations Related to Iran Tensions
UK Faces Significant Economic Risk From Trump’s New Global Tariff Regime
UK Defence Secretary Signals Intent to Deploy British Troops to Ukraine
UK Students Mark Lunar New Year as Universities Adjust to New Equality Compliance Rules
UK Government Weighs Removing Prince Andrew from Line of Succession After Arrest
Prince Andrew’s Arrest in UK Rekindles Scrutiny Over US Handling of Epstein Records
Trump’s Strategic Warning to UK Over Chagos Islands Deal Sparks Diplomatic Whiplash
Starmer Government Postpones Local Elections Affecting 4.5 Million Voters
UK Economy Remains Fragile Despite Recent Upturn in Headline Indicators
UK Businesses Face Fresh Uncertainty Following US Tariff Ruling
Reform UK’s Senior Figures Face Scrutiny Over Remarks on Women and Family Policy
UK Electric Vehicle Drive Threatened by Shortage of 44,000 Qualified Technicians
University of Kentucky Trustees Advance Academic Reforms and Approve Coliseum Plaza Purchase
Boris Johnson Calls for Immediate Deployment of UK Troops to Support Ukraine
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises the rapid progress of Chinese tech companies.
North Korea's capital experiences a significant construction boom with the development of a new city district dubbed 'Pyonghattan'.
New electric vehicle charging service eliminates waiting times
Vox Populi confronts Justin Trudeau at Davos over vaccination policies
Poland's President Karol Nawrocki ENDS support for Ukrainian citizens:
The mayor of Rotherham in Britain
UK Confirms Preferential U.S. Trading Terms Will Continue After Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
U.S. and U.K. to Hold Talks on Diego Garcia as Iran Objects to Potential Military Use
UK Officials Weigh Possible Changes to Prince Andrew’s Position in Line of Succession Amid Ongoing Scrutiny
British Police Probe Epstein’s UK Airport Links and Expand High-Profile Inquiries
Early 2026 Data Suggests Tentative Recovery for UK Businesses and Households
UK Introduces Digital-First Passport Rules for Dual Citizens in Border Control Overhaul
Unable to Access Live Financial Data for January UK Surplus Report
UK ‘Working Closely with US’ to Assess Impact of Supreme Court Tariff Ruling
Trump Criticises UK Decision to Restrict Use of Bases in Potential Iran Strike Scenario
×