Belize Archives and Records Service will for the first time join archivists and archival institutions within the Caribbean and across the world in celebrating International Archives Day. Established in 2007 by the International Council on Archives with the support of the United Nations, International Archives Day is intended among other things to:

• Raise awareness among the public of the importance of records and archives, in order to make it understood that records and archives provide the foundation for their rights and identity;

• Raise the public, private and public sectors’ awareness of the necessity of preserving archives for the long-term, and of providing access to them;

• Promote and bring to the attention of the larger public unique, extraordinary and rare documents preserved in archival institutions.

Public Service Day 2011...

Every year, on the 9th March, wreaths are placed on the tomb of Baron Bliss in memory of the great benefactor. The day is celebrated as a public and bank holiday, and a harbour regatta is held in remembrance of a man who loved the sea and who left Belize over a million dollars for its use.

BOOK Collection
Treehouse Perspectives Living High on Little by Christina and Kirby Salisbury.

Between Horse and Buggy and Four Wheel Drive Change and Diversity among Mennonite Settlements in Belize, Central America. Edited by Carel Roessingh and Tanja Plasil

The traveling exhibition hosted by the department, which was held at the Corozal Civic Center and at Las Banquitas in Orange Walk was a success.

During both days we had over 2,500 visitors with students being the majority.

The students and teachers indicated that the displays were both educational and informative. The video highlighting the 20th September and 21st September ceremonies was the favorite part of the exhibition.

The department acknowledges the teachers who took the time to bring the students to the different places. It also takes the opportunity to express its gratitude to those agencies and individuals that assisted the department in making this exhibition possible. These are: National Institute of Culture and History, Angelus Press, Wood Depot, Print Belize, Las Banquitas, Corozal Sports Coordinator (Mr. Perez), Ministry of Works (namely CEO Henderson, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Grant from Corozal and Mr. Daniel from Orange Walk).

In addition to the department staff who went beyond the call of duty to make this a reality, especially to Mary Alpuche, Yobani Aguilar, Lizet Thompson, Marvin Pook, Joseph Augustine, Ian Tzib, Lucelle Requena, Andrew Hernandez, and Dr. Herman Byrd.

Please go to the image gallery of our website to view the exhibition photographs or click here!