St. Maarten Transformations An exhibit about perceptions of ‘Semper Pro Grediens’
by Dr. Jay Haviser
2009
St. Maarten Transformations An exhibit about perceptions of ‘Semper Pro Grediens’
by Dr. Jay Haviser As we look to the past we perceive a simpler world of life BEFORE, often thought of with nostalgic emotions. When we look to the present, we perceive it with comparative depth as life AFTER. Each perception is colored by its own distinctive positive and negative aspects. In the mid-20th century St. Maarten people emerged from generations of poverty with a proud and self-confident understanding that moving forward in growth was good, and with that drive they truly excelled. With the 21st century the time has come to grasp that growth is still good but it must be sustainable, and in this new era that proud and selfconfident spirit of St. Maarten will live on! Herein, see how views of St. Maarten through time bring forth nostalgia within the dynamics of ‘Semper Pro Grediens’; always progressing.
St. Maarten Airport 1949 and 2007 Thanks are given to Rob and José Versheuren for their personal photographs, the St. Maarten Museum and De Nederlandse Antillen Een fotoreportage van land en volk by Willem van de Poll (1950), from which photographs were used, others are by the author. Jay Haviser © 2009
Great Cul-de-Sac Valley, ca. 1960’s
Great Cul-de-Sac Valley, 2009
Philipsburg, view to east, ca. 1960’s
Philipsburg, view to east, 2009
Philipsburg, view from Sentry Hill, ca. 1968
Philipsburg, view from Sentry Hill, 2008
Philipsburg, Great Bay side looking east, ca. 1949
Philipsburg, Great Bay side looking east, 2008
Some of the losses in Philipsburg over the decades have been the greenery of large trees, the cleanliness of the waters, and a personal social atmosphere. The oldest trees are the oldest permanent residents of St. Maarten, and represent one significant link between our Cultural and Natural heritage, with the St. Maarten National Day of Trees we are striving to replant trees on the island.
Courthouse, Frontstreet, ca. 1949
Courthouse, Frontstreet, 2008 Transformation of social gathering places for purely economic needs was one BEFORE way of forward growth that now needs alternatives. Giving renewed Values to our cultural and natural heritage, is an important contribution to the new era for St. Maarten’s future.
Fort Amsterdam, view from Fort Hill, ca. 1960’s
Fort Amsterdam, view from Fort Hill, 2009
Great salt pans from Guana Bay hill, ca. 1968
Great salt pans from Guana Bay hill, 2009
Simpson Bay Lagoon, with new Lejuez Bridge, ca. 1970
Simpson Bay Lagoon, from Billy Folly hill, 2009
Princess Juliana Airport, view to west, ca. 1960’s
Princess Juliana Airport, view to west, 2007 The current development towards a Future where nature is the rarity and cement is the norm, does have viable alternatives. St. Maarten will live on! And her People will live on! That Future will be founded on our diverse roots of Cultural and GREEN Heritage which must become the basis of future development plans.
Cole Bay, view to west, ca. 1949
Cole Bay, view to the west, 2008 The long-term future of St. Maarten cannot simply be concrete rubble left as remains of a decaying culture, We will live on! Rebuilding in a strategic and sustainable way, always moving forward in growth.
‘Semper Pro Grediens’ Always progressing