Message from the Executive Director

It is Annual General Meeting month – the perfect time for me to give a loud shout-out for BNT’s hard-working Council.

Of the 13 volunteers who make up our Council, ten are elected by the membership and three are appointed by the Government (the appointees are proposed by BNT).

Standing for re-election at the AGM on 19 June are:

Mark Orchard - President
Michael Leverock - Vice President
Andy DeGregorio - Treasurer
Duncan Simons
Peter Hebberd
Stratton Hatfield
Zeudi Hinds
Robin Mayor
Linda O’Shea
William White

The three Government appointees are Alana Anderson, Meredith Ebbin and Mariette Savoie.

In addition to sitting on Council, each also chairs or sits on one of the four standing committees (Finance, Governance, Heritage, Development) or sub-committees (e.g. Museums & Collections). These already busy people give so generously of their time because they are passionate about our mission and want to be part of the positive impact that BNT makes in Bermuda. If you see them, please give them your thanks for all that they do!

Succession planning is vital and we are always keen to have new people with fresh ideas join both the committees and the Council. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact me directly at karen.border@bnt.bm.

A gentle reminder that only members in good standing can vote at the AGM (see the notice below). Even if you don’t plan to attend the AGM, now would be a good time to renew, if your membership has lapsed, or join, if you are not yet a member. The larger our membership, the stronger our voice on matters concerning Bermuda’s heritage or environment.

Click here to join or renew your membership. If you have any questions about membership, please contact Lauren Simons at membership@bnt.bm or 236-6483 ext. 218.

Karen Border

Executive Director

BNT Council 2024-2025 from left, standing: Alana Anderson, Peter Hebberd, Robin Mayor, Meredith Ebbin, Andy DeGregorio, William White, Stratton Hatfield, Michael Leverock, Zeudi Hinds; sitting: Mariette Savoie, Mark Orchard, Linda O’Shea. Not shown: Duncan Simons

Natural Heritage Updates

Myles Darrell, Head of Natural Heritage

A remarkable planting season

As the planting season comes to a close, we want to extend our thanks to you—our volunteers, partners and supporters—for joining us in the vital work of preserving our natural heritage.

This season has reinforced that collaboration is the heart of everything we do. Over the past month alone, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside corporate teams, students, the Brownies, the Rotary Club and even overseas visitors — the Everfox President’s Club and the Caribbean Canada Leaders group. Together, we’ve planted trees, installed bluebird boxes, cleaned up the railway trail and shared knowledge. We are proud to be part of a community that values its natural heritage so deeply.

As we head into a quieter season for outdoor volunteer activity, we encourage you to reflect on how you can continue to be involved. There are so many ways to contribute:

Grow native and endemic plants in your garden
Use iNaturalist to help document and learn about our local flora and fauna
Pick up litter when you see it
Talk with your family about the importance of protecting our environment
Get outside and enjoy our open spaces and invite others to do the same

Thank you again for your time, energy and passion. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together next season.

Cultural Heritage Updates

Dr Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage

Protecting the future of our world heritage

In case you missed it, in May during Heritage Month the Royal Gazette published my op-ed on the World Heritage Site which coincided with a letter to the relevant Government Ministers. We will continue to advocate for collaborative action for our UNESCO inscribed 'Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications'.

Celebrate International Archives Day with Us

Monday, 9 June, marks International Archives Day, and we invite you to join us in celebrating Bermuda’s rich documentary heritage. In collaboration with the Bermuda Archives, you are warmly welcomed to visit the Archives, located in the basement of the Government Administration Building in Hamilton. This is a rare opportunity to view select items from the Bermuda National Trust’s collections, expertly preserved by the Archives team.

A highlight is a recent and remarkable addition to the Trust’s holdings: a signed 1867 watercolour of St George’s from Barrack Hill by Edward James. The scene may look familiar—James is believed to have recreated an 1823 composition originally painted by fellow Briton Thomas Driver. Driver was in Bermuda from 1814 to 1836, decades before Edward James arrived in 1861 and stayed until his death in 1877.

The newly acquired James watercolour was generously donated to BNT by the family of Thomas St George Gilbert. The Gilbert family shares longstanding ties with the Trust’s Somerset property, Springfield. Visitors will also have the chance to view the Gilbert Family Bible, on display for the day before it returns to its usual archival care.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see these collection items and celebrate the work of Bermuda’s dedicated archivists!

Bermuda Archives Multimedia Manager Keith Ceasar, Archives Assistant Makilah Jackson and Archivist Karla Ingemann with the 1867 Edward James watercolour

Keith, Karla and Krystal McKenzie examine the Gilbert Family Bible

Heritage Education Updates

Anna Stevenson, Heritage Education Manager

As the academic year draws to a close, it is wonderful to look back at new and strengthening community partnerships, as we strive to provide enriching heritage-based learning experiences for the island’s students. Our P5 collaboration with the St George’s Foundation delivering online learning and a field trip focusing on the development of slavery in Bermuda, has now become an embedded part of the public-school curriculum. We have forged new links with the Home School Network to deliver a series of lessons based in our nature reserves, we continue to deliver weekly learning to students from Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, and we are now working closely with Mount Saint Agnes to help in the support of their Travel and Tourism unit of study.

We also ran a brand-new tour in May – ‘Whispers from the Past’, which focused on the lives of some of those buried in St George’s cemeteries. Stories included heroes, tragedies, daring escapes and truly surprising family connections. The tour will run again later in the year when the weather is cooler, so please join us.

Don’t forget to check out our new family heritage activities for summer!