The Wyannie Malone Historical MuseumThe Bahamas |
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Hope Town is located on a small island, Elbow Cay which is part of the Abaco Islands in the Northwest Bahamas.
Hope
Town
was settled by British Loyalists who were seeking safe refuge after the
American Revolution. Many of the settlers came from the Carolinas
by way of East Florida after that area was turned over to Spain in the
Peace of Paris in 1783. The same treaty called for the evacuation
of New York by the Loyalists and many moved back to England or into
Canada
or down to the British Caribbean. The initial settlements
were
at Carleton, near the current Treasure Cay, and Marsh's Harbour.
Marsh Harbour is now the capital of Abaco and third largest town in the
Bahamas; whereas, the settlement at Carleton has
disappeared.
By 1785 there were over 1000 refugees in Abaco distributed in five or
six
settlements. The settlement at Hope Town was founded in 1785, in
part, by a widow from South Carolina named Wyannie Malone.
Wyannie
along with her four children started a dynasty in Hope Town that spread
the Malone name through the Bahamas over to Key West and other parts of
Florida and outwards from there. Hence the choice of the name
of: |
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The new Wyannie Malone Historical Museum is created for your enjoyment, for the preservation of our past and the education of our young people. With the future completion of the Complex, we are planning new displays, which will portray the life and times of Elbow Cay and its environs over the past two centuries and beyond. Currently, we are still restoring and developing as we pick up the pieces from the destruction of Hurricane Floyd on September 14, 1999.Our previous residence was badly damaged by the Hurricane and many of our artifacts are in need of restoration. Our new location and buildings are designed to minimize the chance of this ever happening again.
The Wyannie Malone House, is modeled after one of Hope Town's oldest houses and will be finished and furnished to approximate its 19th Century appearance. The Balcony House, the outside of which approximates another authentic Loyalist dwelling, will contain other exhibits that do not belong in a residence.
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OPENING
HOURS
Subject to volunteer
availability
NOV - APR Monday - Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm MAY - JUL Monday - Saturday 10:00 am to 12:30 pm AUG - OCT Closed |
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Email
hopetownmuseum@aol.com

This page is sponsored by The Wyannie Malone Historical Museum
Society
as a service to the Hope Town community and its visitors.