Trust News
Properties, plants and precious one-of-a-kind artifacts ... the BNT is steward of an unparalleled collection representing Bermuda's heritage. As you are unable to visit us during these stay-at-home times, we are happy to be able to bring the BNT to you. The Trust team has selected all sorts of things - from buildings and treasures to plants and open spaces. We've been circulating these on social media, but in case you haven't caught them all, here is the most recent selection.
We continue to work remotely, but if you need us we are here to help. Palmetto@bnt.bm is checked daily so please don't hesitate to reach out to us
Thank you for all your support; it means a great deal to know that our membership is with us on this unexpected and unusual journey. We will continue to stay connected.
Until the next time, take care and stay safe!
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Trust Treasures:
Food safe, end of 19th to early 20th century
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Did you know? To preserve provisions, Middle Eastern and oriental cultures dried foods in the wind and sun as early as 12,000 B.C.
The first electric home refrigerator on the island was the Kelvinator, which arrived 1922. However, before the days of electricity, keeping food fresh in Bermuda’s hot and damp climate, with its associated insect life, was a challenge. One solution was the hanging food safe. This example is on display at Verdmont and was used by Miss Lillian Joell, who lived there without piped water or electricity until 1950. This food safe is made of painted wood and encased in wire mesh that allowed breeze to circulate through, keeping food as cool as possible and flies out. It also has a small cup on the chain which would have been filled with oil to deter ants.
Another aid to successful food storage in Bermuda was the buttery, an early architectural feature. Butteries were often partially sunk into the ground and their height and pointed roof enabled heat to rise. They were also used for food preparation, such as salting meat. One of Bermuda’s best-known butteries at Springfield in Somerset dates from c.1740 and, unusually, has a smooth rather than tiled roof.
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Nature Notes:
African Tulips
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While we’ve all been in quarantine, African tulips (Spathodea campanulata) are providing a beautiful show this year. The flowers are typically red to orange, sometimes yellow. The tree itself has an upright nature although the trunk may be buttressed. Outside of its indigenous growing region, western and central Africa, it is considered one of the world's top invasive species. This is because it grows so fast that it can increase two inches in diameter in a year and typically out-competes most other plants as it shoots up from the forest floor. That said, Bermuda doesn't provide conditions that allow it to dominate the landscape as it does in other areas in the way that Mexican pepper does here. For Bermuda it provides some tropical excitement and a reminder of our connectivity to the African diaspora. The picture is a stunning example that can be seen from the road as you admire the Springfield property in Somerset.
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After the weeks of lockdown, it is good to be back at work on Eve’s Pond, the Buy Back Bermuda project in Smith’s Parish. The pond is now dug out and work has begun on contouring the surrounding landscape. The walking trails have been marked and they will be cleared and mulched shortly. Once this step is complete the lawn areas and trees will be planted. The reserve will be closed to the public for a few months so that everything has a chance to get established – but we are offering exceptions for some special visitors some of them flying in from overseas. Yes, the airport remains closed – we are talking about bird life! Last week we welcomed a breeding cattle egret to the pond – and this gives good reason to believe migratory species approve of our efforts.
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BNT Properties:
Devondale
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Devondale property of BNT since 2012
Devondale is the largest of the old houses along South Road, Devonshire. This beautiful late 18th century Grade II listed house with 10 acres of woodland and farmland was a wonderful bequest to the Bermuda National Trust by Mrs Jean Cox Spence in 2012.
The original house on this property was built, presumably in wood, some time before 1678 and rebuilt over the years. In 1953 a fire seriously damaged the south wing. The stone arches of the West Indian-influenced verandah survived the fire and great care was taken when sections of the house were rebuilt. Welcoming arms steps were added at this time while the north wings of the house were comparatively undamaged by the fire.
By bequeathing this property to the National Trust, Mrs Spence effectively reconnected two large Devonshire estates (Devondale and neighbouring Locust Hall) that were once both owned by her family before being subdivided in 1857. Mrs Spence’s extremely generous legacy creates a 34-acre rural tract of land stretching from South Road to Middle Road, Devonshire.
Devondale is occupied by tenants and not open to the public
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Across coastal areas of Bermuda, Golden Rod (Solidago sempervirens) can be seen with showy spikes of bright yellow flowers. It is very hardy – managing wind, salt and poor soil conditions. It not only tolerates brackish water but can withstand being fully inundated by salt water. Golden Rod provides nectar for various butterflies including monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and also attracts polinators, all of which draw in birds. They are a perfect addition to any garden even if you don’t have a green thumb
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Trust Treasures:
Cedar Table, c.1860 - Verdmont
One of the Trust’s most treasured artefacts, this table has been seen by more than 6,000,000 people.
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One of the Trust’s most treasured artefacts is this stunning birdseye cedar table, donated to the BNT by the Jackson family and on display at Verdmont.
Made by master carpenter John Henry Jackson, it was Bermuda’s entry to the prestigious International Exhibition of Industry and Art in London in 1862. Bermuda cedar is extremely difficult to work with and it would have required specialist tools and exceptional skill to avoid tearing the grain.
The term ‘birdseye’ refers to the natural swirling pattern in the wood. The Royal Gazette review of the exhibit dated 2nd February 1862 states: “Great taste and judgment is displayed in the arrangement of the wood and much ingenuity in the manufacture.” Additionally, the article refers to a chair and plant stand made by Mr. Jackson for the exhibition, but their whereabouts today are unknown.
By 1886, John Henry Jackson owned a number of lots in the City of Hamilton, including the land immediately east of the old Town Hall, at 117 Front Street. From here he ran his carpentry and cabinet-making business as well as an undertaking service. A founding member of the Berkeley Educational Society (October 1879), Mr. Jackson was to have a close connection with the Bermuda National Trust: his great-great grandson, Wayne Jackson, was President of the BNT from 2002 to 2005.
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Built to Last:
Southlands, Warwick
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Bermuda is at risk of losing some of its most significant buildings, all of them examples of our unique architectural heritage. The BNT and The National Museum of Bermuda have joined to highlight these buildings as special places that warrant protection for future generations.
Anna, Wife of Montreal merchant James Morgan, bought 31½ acres and an old Bermuda house from the heirs of Thomas Dunscomb in 1913. The core of the house can be traced with certainty to 1820 but thought to date back to 1745. The property was already known as Southlands and became James Morgan’s retirement project. Using stone cut from his quarries, he immediately began to extend the house. With the help of Bermudian architect Edward Tucker he made sure the integrity of the original U-shaped house with its three uniquely-positioned butteries was not compromised. The quarries turned into individually themed gardens with a variety of exotic imported plants. For example, the Egyptian quarry contained a pool of water lilies fringed with papyrus. Morgan purchased several nearby properties, eventually owning over 80 acres.
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Philanthropist in Canada, James Morgan was generous to Bermuda. In 1920 he gave money to his neighbourhood school, Warwick Academy, allowing them to complete the wings and build the assembly hall. He was a member of the Warwick Parish Development Committee, set up in 1917 to tackle the deficiency in the food supply, encouraging home gardening and the cultivation of all available land. The Morgans held fundraisers at Southlands to help with the cost of equipment needed for the newly opened King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Today as public property the house lies derelict, its grounds now overgrown.
Click the link below or visit our website to read the full article. There’s more about the history of Southlands in the BNT’s Architectural Heritage Series: Warwick, which is available for purchase.
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