Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Feb 17, 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 Markets Signal Opportunity as Starmer Confronts Intensifying Political Pressure
Trump Criticises Newsom’s UK Climate Pact, Defends Federal Authority Over Foreign Engagements
UK’s Top Prosecutor Says ‘No One Is Above the Law’ as Police Review Claims Against Ex-Prince Andrew
Rubio Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform, Saying It Has Failed to End Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
Prince William Meets Saudi Crown Prince as Epstein-Andrew Fallout Casts Shadow
Starmer Calls for Renewed ‘Hard Power’ Investment at European Security Summit
UK Police Establish National Taskforce to Handle Domestic Epstein-Linked Allegations
UK Court Rules Ban on Palestine Action Unlawful in Major Free Speech Test
UK Faces Prospect of Net Migration Turning Negative as Economic Impact Looms
Peter Mandelson Asked to Testify Before US Congress Over Jeffrey Epstein Links
Document Suggests Prince Andrew Shared UK Briefing on Afghan Investment Opportunities with Jeffrey Epstein
Beijing Brands UK Hong Kong Visa Expansion ‘Despicable and Reprehensible’ After Jimmy Lai Sentencing
Tesco Chief Warns UK Is ‘Sleepwalking’ Toward a Joblessness Crisis
Trump’s ‘Act of Great Stupidity’ Comment on UK Chagos Deal Reverberates Through Diplomacy and Strategy
New U.S. filings say Jeffrey Epstein repaid Les Wexner one hundred million dollars after theft allegation
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledges 2012 visit to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island as lawmakers scrutinise past ties
UK Police Review Fresh Claims Involving Prince Andrew as Senior Royals Respond to Epstein Files
Keir Starmer’s Premiership Faces Unprecedented Strain as Epstein Fallout Deepens
Starmer Vows to Stay in Office as UK Government Faces Turmoil After Epstein Fallout
China and UK Signal Tentative Reset with Commitment to Steadier, Professionally Managed Relations
UK Confirms Imminent Increase in ETA Fee to £20 as Entry Rules Tighten
UK Signals Possible Seizure of Russia-Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Epstein Scandal Piles Unprecedented Pressure on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Leadership
UK’s ‘Most Romantic Village’ Celebrates Valentine’s Day and Explores the Festival’s Rich History
Winklevoss-Led Gemini to Slash a Quarter of Jobs and Exit European and Australian Markets
UK Royal Family Faces Intensifying Strain as Epstein-Linked Revelations Rock the Institution
Political Censorship: French Prosecutors Raid Musk’s X Offices in Paris
AI Invented “Hot Springs” — Tourists Arrived and Were Shocked
Tech Mega-Donors Power Trump-Aligned Fundraising Surge to $429 Million Ahead of 2026 Midterms
UK Pharma Watchdog Rules Sanofi Breached Industry Code With RSV Vaccine Claims Against Pfizer
Melania Documentary Opens Modestly in UK with Mixed Global Box Office Performance
Starmer Arrives in Shanghai to Promote British Trade and Investment
Harry Styles, Anthony Joshua and Premier League Stars Among UK’s Top Taxpayers
New Epstein Files Include Images of Former Prince Andrew Kneeling Over Unidentified Woman
Starmer Urges Former Prince Andrew to Testify Before US Congress About Epstein Ties
Starmer Extends Invitation to Japan’s Prime Minister After Strategic Tokyo Talks
Skupski and Harrison Clinch Australian Open Men’s Doubles Title in Melbourne
China Lifts Sanctions on British MPs and Peers After Starmer Xi Talks in Beijing
AstraZeneca Announces £11bn China Investment After Scaling Back UK Expansion Plans
Starmer and Xi Forge Warming UK-China Ties in Beijing Amid Strategic Reset
Tesla Ends Model S and X Production and Sends $2 Billion to xAI as 2025 Revenue Declines
Starmer Seeks Economic Gains From China Visit While Navigating US Diplomatic Sensitivities
Starmer Says China Visit Will Deliver Economic Benefits as He Prepares to Meet Xi Jinping
UK Prime Minister Starmer Arrives in China to Bolster Trade and Warn Firms of Strategic Opportunities
The AI Hiring Doom Loop — Algorithmic Recruiting Filters Out Top Talent and Rewards Average or Fake Candidates
UK Banks Pledge £11 Billion Lending Package to Help Firms Expand Overseas
Suella Braverman Defects to Reform UK, Accusing Conservatives of Betrayal on Core Policies
Melania Trump Documentary Sees Limited Box Office Traction in UK Cinemas
UK’s Starmer and Trump Agree on Urgent Need to Bolster Arctic Security
Starmer Breaks Diplomatic Restraint With Firm Rebuke of Trump, Seizing Chance to Advocate for Europe
×