Message from the Executive Director

A warm welcome for Dr Charlotte Andrews, the new head of Cultural Heritage.

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Charlotte Andrews to the newly created role of Head of Cultural Heritage. She brings an enormous amount of knowledge and experience to this key role. Her passion and enthusiasm for Bermuda’s heritage is very inspiring and we are delighted to have her join the Trust team.

Dr. Andrews gained her master’s and a doctorate in Heritage and Museum Studies from the University of Cambridge and has worked in Bermuda’s cultural sector for over 20 years. She has served as Executive Director of the St. George’s Foundation, Curator of the National Museum of Bermuda, and has consulted on a variety of local and international heritage and museum projects. Her special interest in Bermuda World Heritage led her to chair the UNESCO Site’s management committee and to comprehensively review, coordinate partners and draft its most recent management plan. She has conducted extensive research on community uses of heritage in Bermuda and explores how cultural organisations connect with local stakeholders.

As Head of Cultural Heritage, Dr. Andrews will manage the Trust’s museums and collections, will lead programmes to celebrate and increase awareness of Bermuda’s cultural heritage and will ensure that the Trust advocates strongly for the preservation of our island’s heritage in a way that promotes understanding of its importance for our society’s present and future.

Dr. Andrews shared, “It’s been my honour over the years to work with many people and organisations who protect, promote and create Bermuda’s heritage and culture. Now, I am thrilled to join the Trust team in this critical cultural heritage role for the island. I look forward to closely collaborating with partners and volunteers in our cultural sector and to building trusted relationships across our community. Bermuda’s cultural heritage is a living reflection of our connections, needs and dreams as a unique people part of a wider world, and so I am truly excited about the possibilities ahead.”

Check out our new website!

The Bermuda National Trust is presenting a fresh face to the world via our new website. Visit bnt.bm for information on our nature reserves, historic buildings, publications, education and collections; to find out about and sign up for events and tours; to renew your membership, volunteer or donate; and so much more.

A huge thank you to Peter Hebberd and Dr. Dörte Horsfield for the enormous effort that went into the development of the new website over the past year.

Visit Our New Website

Conservation Updates

Wild side wonders as PwC interns brave the heat

On August 6, ten interns at PwC joined Head of Natural Heritage Myles Darrell at Rebecca Middleton Nature Reserve to assist with conservation work at the site. The plan is to achieve predominantly native and endemic flora at this small reserve which, located on the Railway Trail in Paget, is much viewed and appreciated. A resurgence of energy has been invested in the project since June 2019 and the efforts of some 40 plus volunteers have already enabled a transition from around 90% invasives to approximately 35% native and endemic.

For our young PwC volunteers, the heat was on, and they were careful to stay hydrated and smothered in sunscreen even while working in the shade. Nevertheless, they uncomplainingly pressed on, working at a steady pace and culling six cubic yards of invasive species (about the size of two large truck loads) to make space and light for the native and endemic juvenile trees, shrubs, and ground cover to grow and thrive.

Most of us were fortunate to see some of the local bird population as they chirped loudly when we got too close to a nest, or came to investigate what we were up to. A beautiful pair of cardinals danced around, while a charming black-and-white warbler and busy group of white-eyed vireo fluttered through the space. It’s not all about work on these team days; there is also rich dialogue, dynamic bonding and the occasional “National Geographic event”.

One of the most exciting moments was stumbling across two self-seeded/volunteer cedar trees. This is exactly what we are aiming for, a self-sustaining eco-system. It’s early days but it is so encouraging to already see a response to these ongoing conservation efforts.

The PwC intern team had an amazing attitude and were all supportive of one another. It was fun and they can be confident they made a difference in the community. The Trust is grateful for the help and hopes they will return – maybe when it’s a little cooler!

Volunteering is an amazing gift to the community and at the same time it’s evident that it brings benefits to the participants – connections, fulfillment and meaning which together boost mental health.

Monthly volunteer days will start up again in October, as it gets cooler. These are great opportunities to meet new people, give back to the community and have some fun in the outdoors. Check out our new website to sign up or reach out directly to palmetto@bnt.bm. We look forward to hearing from you.

Support the Bermuda National Trust's Annual Raffle and have the chance to win an 8-panel solar system installed by BE Solar. 15 more exciting prizes, are there for you to win this year, including 3 Electric Pedego Bikes, gift vouchers, staycations and more!

Click here to view all of the prizes

Tickets are available for purchase at the following locations:

Waterville, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm or call 236-6483
Frameworks
Windy Bank Farm
BeSolar
Conrad's, Tools & Accessories
International Imports
Online - Click the link below or visit our website to purchase a ticket online. You will automatically receive your ticket number and be entered into the raffle.

By purchasing a raffle ticket, you will be supporting our conservation and preservation initiatives to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage. Thank you to those who donated prizes to make this year’s raffle possible.

For more information or to volunteer to sell tickets, please email palmetto@bnt.bm or call 236-6483

Purchase a Raffle Ticket!

Heritage at Risk

Visitor Baldwin Staubach photographed James Brown’s original quotation in 1921

Dubloon Hill Farm, formerly Brown's Farm

This is part of a series of architectural articles by the Bermuda National Trust to highlight some of Bermuda's endangered historic buildings.

by Linda Abend and Margie Lloyd

Dubloon Cottage, as it’s now called, with roughly 12 acres was purchased by the Bermuda Government from the James estate around 1993 to enlarge what is today Hog Bay Park. The creation of the 32.23 acre park began in 1986 with the acquisition of the Freeland and Mayor estates. The three properties cost $7.925 million. The park consists of agricultural fields, woodlands, an ancient lime kiln and several abandoned cottages. The steep coastal hillside slopes down to the shoreline of Brown’s Bay.

The first recorded landowner was Sir John Heydon of the Sommer Islands Company with 140 acres in 1663. By 1789, Colonel Henry Tucker owned 75 acres which included his residence called The Hermitage located nearby. In 1852 the property was purchased by William Richard Outerbridge whose daughter Eliza had married Captain Richard Anderson of the 56^th Regiment of Foot. The Andersons sold 25 acres to farmer James Brown in 1871. It is believed he built the house shortly thereafter.

Click here to read the full article!