Royal Gazette: Trust seeks public input on expanding cultural impact

Royal Gazette: Trust seeks public input on expanding cultural impact

Residents were invited to help the Bermuda National Trust make plans to revitalise its museums.

As part of Heritage Month, which carried the theme “Culture=Energy”, the charity also hoped to expand how the sites impact cultural tourism and offer benefit to the community.

Charlotte Andrews, the BNT’s head of cultural heritage, invited members of the public to attend Verdmont Museum from 10am to 3pm on Saturday — International Museums Day — to discuss the trust’s vision for its central historic house museum.

She explained: “We believe this African Diaspora Heritage Trail Site and former site of enslavement can be an extremely profound memorial and site of healing.

“We extend an especially warm welcome to residents from the surrounding Collector’s Hill and wider Smith’s areas, who may live on original Verdmont land and may have a special interest in our elevating the historic house museum as a cultural tourism attraction and community heritage hub.”

The BNT will also share its plans for two museums in St George’s at the event.

On May 30, from 11am to 6pm, residents and especially fellow World Heritage Site partners, householders and businesses, are invited to Globe Museum in King’s Square, St George’s.

Dr Andrews added: “Come and learn about our plans for our two St George’s museums and Verdmont.

“Our vision is for visitors to the museums to have meaningful and memorable heritage experiences.

“We want to hear your thoughts about the Trust Museums plan to reflect your ideas and concerns and to ensure the museums meet community needs and are financially sustainable moving forward.

“Trust museums are your museums so come be a part of the plan.”

BNT’s Tucker House Museum on Water Street is temporarily closed for conservation and restoration.

There are plans to reopen the museum and African Diaspora Heritage Trail Site next year with new exhibits.

The Trust Museums plan will be posted online at www.bnt.bm/heritage/historic_houses in June after integrating input collected from the free open houses.

Read the full Royal Gazette article.

May 16, 2024 News