Building on Heritage

Bermuda strives to preserve its unique architectural treasures

By Amy Scott

Buildings in Bermuda are unlike any others. Characterised by white slate roofs, stepped chimneys and pastel-washed walls, the country's historic structures are instantly recognisable. Thanks to the preservation efforts of the Bermuda National Trust, these architectural treasures will be with us for a long, long time.

As you meander through Bermuda's winding lanes, you may imagine that you have stepped back in time. In some ways, you have. Bermuda is the oldest continually inhabited British settlement in the New World. Its original capital, the Town of St. George, was established in 1612. Nearly four centuries later, in 2000, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

In Bermuda, history unfolds on every corner, particularly in the architecture of homes, churches and other centuries-old buildings. Early settlers built houses from local limestone and cedar. Building techniques evolved, as the island grew more prosperous. The late 18th century saw the rise of Georgian-style architecture with symmetrical facades. British troops introduced verandas and smooth slate roofs in the early 19th century. The importation of new building materials in the late 19th and early 20th centuries made the High Victorian and Edwardian styles popular among Bermuda's gentry.

Preserving the island's natural, historic and architectural wealth is the mission of the Bermuda National Trust, a membership-based charitable organisation. The Trust's historic buildings are among the island's earliest stone structures and tell much of Bermuda's intriguing story.

Visitors and locals alike may tour many Trust buildings, including The Bermuda National Trust Museum at the Globe Hotel, The Old Rectory, Tucker House Museum, and the Unfinished Church in St. George's; Verdmont Museum in Smith's; and Waterville in Paget.

In addition, you can learn about Bermuda's architecture by reading several Trust publications, including the Architectural Heritage Series and the Traditional Building Guide. For more information, contact the Bermuda National Trust at 441-236-6483, log onto bnt.bm, or e-mail palmetto@bnt.bm.

DID YOU KNOW? Bermuda roofs are made from Bermuda slate and timber. They are whitewashed and stepped to enable rainwater to be collected in tanks beaneath the houses.

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