Message from the Executive Director | | |
June was a joyful month at BNT, with many events and celebrations.
We couldn’t be more delighted that this year’s King’s Birthday Honours brought a very well-deserved MBE for Margie Lloyd for services to Bermuda’s architectural heritage (see more below). Margie and Linda Abend were also honoured as Unsung Heroes in The Bermudian's Best of Bermuda Awards 2025.
Our ‘Moonlight Extravaganza’ gala dinner at Devondale was a very enjoyable occasion and a remarkable success – a huge thank you to the organising committee, attendees and donors of the auction prizes. You can see photos here.
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We were lucky to have two authors deliver fascinating Trust Talks in June. In a collaboration with BUEI, bestselling historical author Hampton Sides spoke to a packed auditorium about the research for his book The Wide Wide Sea, on the final, fatal voyage of Captain James Cook. Lorna Rainey, great-granddaughter of Joseph Hayne Rainey, gave a compelling talk about her famous ancestor and his Bermuda connections (see more below).
We were also very pleased to celebrate so many people at the Annual BNT Awards for their varied contributions to our island’s natural and cultural heritage. The list of 2025 awardees can be found here. Congratulations and thank you to all of them for their valuable efforts!
Finally, I invite you to read our 2024 Annual Report, which showcases all that we do and the highlights from last year.
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Karen Border
Executive Director
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Congratulations Margie!
BNT warmly congratulates Margie Lloyd on her well-deserved MBE for services to architectural heritage in Bermuda, in the recent King’s Birthday Honours.
For more than 30 years, Margie has been central to BNT’s architectural heritage projects, starting with the Old House Survey in the 1990s. This extensive survey of Bermuda’s historic buildings and monuments was the basis for the series of Architectural Heritage books that covers all nine parishes and the City of Hamilton. The series, which was Margie’s idea, is a hugely valuable record of Bermuda’s architectural and cultural history that records the changing Bermuda landscape from the time of settlement. It is hard to overstate the enormous amount of research that went into it, and its value to Bermuda as a record and resource for future historians and researchers. It might well be the most comprehensive record of a nation’s architectural heritage ever compiled, and beyond that it records a rich tapestry of human history associated with the buildings, along with changing Bermudian customs and values over the centuries.
| | An extraordinarily modest and humble person, Margie would be the first to say that the Old House Survey and the Architectural Heritage series were a team effort – which indeed they were; several other people including Diana Chudleigh and Linda Abend have played critical roles. But Margie has been the consistent factor throughout, quietly but firmly keeping the projects on track and ensuring an extraordinary standard of excellence in the research and publications. And she is not finished yet – at the age of 92 she is working with others on a second edition of the St George’s edition of the Architectural Heritage Series. Thank you, Margie, BNT and Bermuda owe you and your team a huge debt of gratitude! | | Can’t keep her down: Margie is still working hard to record Bermuda’s architectural heritage. | |
Natural Heritage Updates
Myles Darrell, Head of Natural Heritage
| | Development Without a Plan? Southlands Needs Your Voice | | |
The Bermuda National Trust, BEST and the Bermuda Audubon Society are urging members to speak out against the proposed café and car park development at Southlands Park (Planning Application P0157-25). You can read our joint public statement on the development here.
While a modest car park would be reasonable at the site, this proposal represents overdevelopment, without proper planning or public input. No business case, projected visitation data or maintenance plans have been submitted to support the need for this significant development, which include a 5,238 sq ft café with seating for 120, 51 car parking spaces, 76 cycle bays, and 9 minibus/taxi bays.
If you want to add your voice, the deadline for objections is Friday 4 July.
View and object to Planning Application P0157-25.
| | A Small Way You Can Make a Big Difference | | |
We are reaching out with a simple ask — and a heartfelt thank you to those already lending a hand.
Despite our best efforts, litter continues to be a challenge in several of our nature reserves. It has a significant impact: harming wildlife, disrupting fragile ecosystems, and taking away from the experience of being in nature.
One of our long-time members, Andy Barnshaw, has taken a practical, hands-on approach — and it’s making a real difference. Andy “adopted” one of the bins at Sherwin Nature Reserve, and he has been quietly managing it for years. His efforts help prevent overflow and keep the area looking its best for everyone.
Inspired by Andy, we are inviting more of our members to adopt a bin at a BNT nature reserve near you. It’s a small commitment — just checking on it regularly and letting us know if anything needs attention — but the impact is big. If you would like to help, please reach out to Myles.Darrell@bnt.bm. Thank you!
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Cultural Heritage Updates
Dr Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage
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First in the House - and Tucker House
Lorna Rainey, great-granddaughter of Joseph Hayne Rainey and his wife Susan, recently delivered a compelling Trust Talk on her groundbreaking research into her family's legacy, featured in her new book First in the House, now on sale at BNT.
During her first visit to Bermuda, Lorna toured several historic sites connected to her ancestors, starting with Tucker House in St George’s, where her great-grandparents once worked. As Tucker House is currently closed for conservation, she also visited the Globe Museum, where the Rainey exhibit has been temporarily relocated.
While meeting at the Cabinet Office with Minister of Culture Owen Darrell, Lorna also took the opportunity to visit Alexandrina Lodge on Court Street, where Joseph Rainey had been a member prior to becoming the first Black person to serve in the US House of Representatives.
This visit marks the beginning of what we hope will be a mutually enriching collaboration as we work on the curation of a new Joseph Rainey exhibit at Tucker House and Lorna works on a film celebrating her great-grandfather’s legacy.
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Lorna Rainey at Tucker House in St George’s | African Diaspora Heritage Trail Chair Nekesha Holdipp, ADHT member Dawn Simmons, Lorna Rainey (centre), BNT Council member Meredith Ebbin, and Titan Tours Founder Rashida Godwin | | Gombey StoryWalk keeps the beat at Verdmont | | |
BNT is thrilled to partner again with the Bermuda National Library to bring a second StoryWalk to the gardens of Verdmont Museum. This edition features Gombey: The Way of the Warrior! by local author Dr David Chapman, celebrating Bermuda’s vibrant Gombey tradition of drumming and dance.
The StoryWalk offers a connection between Bermuda’s living cultural heritage and Verdmont’s complex history as part of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail. As a former site of enslavement, Verdmont provides a powerful backdrop to the Gombey tradition — born of resistance and resilience.
As visitors move through seven colourful stations, they will find QR codes linking to activities, websites and additional resources. Deloitte generously supported this installation.
Verdmont Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with 45-minute guided tours offered daily at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. BNT members enjoy free entry and tour discounts.
| | Dr Chapman’s children Asanté and Judah received on his behalf a cultural heritage award for inspiring appreciation of Bermuda’s heritage through his books for children. | |
Heritage Education Updates
Anna Stevenson, Heritage Education Manager
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As the school year came to a close, we are delighted to report that BNT provided over 4,200 learning experiences over the three terms. June was especially busy as we had sessions with Chatmore International School, Somersfield, Warwick Academy and Purvis Primary. We also worked with the St George’s Foundation to deliver a three-part Learning Journey about World Heritage Sites, with all public P5 students visiting Ferry Reach.
Congratulations go to Saltus Grammar School for winning the Michael Darling Shield for Heritage Education at the 2025 BNT Awards, for the wonderful creation of the Saltus Grove Nature Classroom. We wish all students and teachers a happy, safe, and well-deserved summer holiday. Stay tuned for lots of news about our camps!
| | BNT 2026 Calendar – Now Available! | | |
Celebrate Bermuda’s natural beauty with the Bermuda National Trust’s 2026 Calendar!
We are excited to announce the release of our 2026 calendar—a stunning visual journey through the island’s diverse landscapes and unique charm.
This year’s calendar features breathtaking images by photographer Laurie Zuill, capturing the essence of Bermuda’s natural and cultural treasures.
It's never too early to get next year’s calendar - Get your copy today and support the preservation of Bermuda’s heritage!
- Price: $16.00
- Size: 13 ¾” wide x 10 ¾” high
Available for purchase online or at the following locations:
- BNT Headquarters, Waterville
- The Trustworthy Shop at the Globe Museum
- Aberfeldy Nurseries
- Bermuda Bookstore
- The Bookmart
- Flying Colours
- Hamilton Princess
- AF Smith
- BUEI
- Masterworks
- KEMH Gift Shop
- Collectors Hill Apothecary
- Robertson’s Drug Store
- Bermuda Craft Market
- Bermuda Arts Centre Dockyard
- Dockyard Pharmacy
Interested in selling our calendar? Please contact lsimons@bnt.bm for more information.
| | The Bermuda National Trust | bnt.bm | | | | | |
