GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING SONGBIRD Rihanna is now a bit into philanthropy.

The Barbadian superstar has donated an artefact to the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, which will go on display later this month.

The piece, which has not been revealed to the public, forms part of an exhibition as the Museum celebrates its 75th anniversary.

The exhibition, US: 75 Years Of Barbadiana At The BMHS, comes off at the Museum's headquarters at St Ann's Garrison, St Michael, running from July 14 to October 15, and will be open Mondays to Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It is divided into three themes: Wunna; Cabinet Of Curiosities; and Guardians Of Our Heritage". Wunna highlights those elements which define Barbadian culture, including dress, dishes, pasttimes, and religious customs. Several local artefacts will also be on show in this gallery, including an "ole time" soda bottle with a marble cork, a slave "passport" and the mysterious item which was recently donated by Rihanna.

Cabinet Of Curiosities features interesting items from around the world, some of which came from Barbados. These include Inuit snowshoes, a fragment of moon rock, Surinamese Maroon art, a tiny part of HMS Victory – Lord Nelson's ship from the Battle of Trafalgar, and a section of one of the torpedoes used to attack the ship, Cornwallis in Barbados during the World War II.

A short documentary will be the highlight of the Guardians Of Our Heritage section. It features rarely seen images from the Museum's photography collection, along with interviews with the Museum staff and other stalwarts who have contributed to the preservation of Barbadian heritage.

The Barbados Museum & Historical Society recently concluded its 75th anniversary lecture series, held under the theme The BMHS: Three Generations Of Commitment, Creation And Conservation. Several prominent historians, including Dr Karl Watson, Museum director Alissandra Cummins, and Professor Woodville Marshall made presentations during the series. (BA/PR)