At 81 years old, Arthur Winner, the unassuming photographer who documented Grenada’s revolutionary era, has formally entrusted his extensive collection of historical images to the Grenada National Trust. The veteran photographer, who describes himself as “a servant of the people,” captured defining moments during the Grenada Revolution while working within the Government Information Service (GIS).
Winner’s black-and-white photographs represent one of the most significant visual records of Grenada’s modern history, preserved through political turmoil and rescued following the 1983 invasion. The collection includes historic moments such as the visit of Samora Machel, President of Mozambique, where Winner and his colleagues worked through the night to prepare a photographic dossier for the departing African leader.
Ruggles Ferguson, former head of the government’s media centre, recalled racing to the airport with the finished album, crediting Winner as the critical figure in ensuring the photographs were ready in time. Winner also documented the extensive construction of what is now Maurice Bishop International Airport, week after week, capturing the transformation that would reshape the country’s future.
The decision to donate his carefully safeguarded negatives came after Winner watched Jumaane Williams, a son of Grenadian soil, deliver an impassioned address about his heritage during his swearing-in as New York City’s Public Advocate. This moment made Winner acutely aware of the pressing need to preserve history for future generations.
Darryl Brathwaite, President of the Grenada National Trust, emphasized that the donation represents far more than a transfer of old prints—it serves as a foundation stone in the country’s heritage infrastructure. “As a young nation, we are trying to build up our past to guide where we are going,” Brathwaite explained. “This is a national treasure owned by the people.”
The GNT plans to digitize the entire collection, identify the faces and stories within the photographs, and mount a national exhibition. Discussions are underway to establish a formal national archive where the originals can be preserved under proper conservation conditions. Brathwaite hopes this gesture will inspire other Grenadians to come forward with historical photographs that may hold equally valuable pieces of the national narrative.