Sod turned for Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel Museum

The federation’s fourth National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel, is being honoured by his family with a museum showcasing his life, work and contributions to St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr. Daniel, who was the first Premier of Nevis, was described by many as a dedicated and hardworking Nevisian who put country and people above self.

On Saturday (Oct. 27), family and friends officially broke ground for the museum with a simple sod turning and cocktail ceremony at Pinneys Estate adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort. The museum, which is set to be opened in 2020, is one of a number of initiatives being undertaken by Deon Daniel, son of the late national hero, to highlight the contributions made by his father to the Federation.

This is the first such initiative to be carried out by family and friends of any of the federation’s national heroes. Reflecting on the life of Dr. Daniel, Rawlinson Isaac described him as honourable; a statesman; submissive; self-confident and self-effacing.

The ceremony which reflected the life and work of Dr. Daniel was well attended by family members and overseas guests. Born on August 22, 1934 in the St. Thomas Parish, Sir Daniel was a founding member of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) in 1970. He was later instrumental in the establishment of the Bank of Nevis Ltd. in 1985 and the commissioning of the Four Seasons Hotel in 1991. Sir Daniel died on May 27, 2012.

He was Posthumously awarded The Order of National Hero on the 16th of September 2013 during the Federation’s Independence celebration.

Nevisian National Hero Honoured at Museum Groundbreaking

With an exceptional show of support from family and friends both local and abroad, the official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Saturday October 27, 2018 for the construction of a state of the art Museum in honor of the Federation’s 4th National Hero and First Premier of Nevis The Right Excellent Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel.

The brief yet auspicious occasion took place at Pinneys Estate, adjacent to the popular Nevis Four Seasons Resort at the construction site of the recently started Belmont Gardens Resort Development, another major project being undertaken by successful Nevisian Real Estate developer Mr. Deon Daniel of Deon and Associates.

Deon Daniel, son of the Late Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel along with other family members have recently established a foundation in honor of his father and this Museum that is set to be officially opened in the year 2020 is one of a number of major initiatives to be launched as the family aims to preserve and celebrate the life and achievements of the Nevisian-born National Hero.

The official groundbreaking ceremony was executed with the usual class and style that Dr. Daniel’s family has been known for and commensurate with his character. From the welcome remarks and invocation and the profound words and remarks delivered by speakers such as Rawlinson Isaac, Spencer Howell and Dr. Daniel’s grandson Kajay Hodge, to the closing remarks of his Daughter Janice Hodge and prayer by Pastor Davidson Morton, every aspect of the event was on point.

Worthy of note is the fact that this Museum that is being constructed in honor of Dr. Sir Simeon Daniel is the first of its kind in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and comes just a few short years after he was named National Hero. Born on August 22, 1934 in the St. Thomas Parish, Sir Daniel was a founding member of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) in 1970. He was later instrumental in the establishment of the Bank of Nevis Ltd. in 1985 and the commissioning of the Four Seasons Hotel in 1991. Sir Daniel died on May 27, 2012.

The event concluded with light cocktails and live performances with steel pan and beautiful renditions that set the tone of the atmosphere for good social discussions among the many family, friends and community well wishers and dignitaries who attended the ceremony.