Trust News
Dear Members,

Thank you for your continued support; we miss you and are grateful for all the messages of encouragement. We hope you are faring well during these unusual times - and most important, staying healthy.

Since no one has been able to visit BNT properties, we've been taking the BNT to the community, sharing information, stories, items and properties in the Trust's care. In the form of social media posts, we are providing "Trust Treasures", "Built to Last", "Nature Notes" and more. But we know that not everyone follows us on Facebook and Instagram, and so have prepared a selection for you to enjoy today. More next week!

Like so many, BNT staff are working remotely, doing our best to carry out our role as heritage stewards and environmental advocates. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at palmetto@bnt.bm if you have any questions or comments. 

Until the next time, take care and stay safe!
Trust Treasures: Cedar Bracelet c.1902
Our museums may be closed, but we can bring them to you! Enjoy the intriguing stories behind Trust Treasures.

In 1901, the British brought the first Boer prisoners-of-war to Bermuda, where they were imprisoned on the larger islands in the Great Sound. Some 25,000 prisoners of the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa - aged between six and 80 years - were held overseas, 4,600 of them in Bermuda. In an effort to while away the long hours of incarceration productively and earn some money for such necessities as tobacco, the PoWs created a remarkable array of items out of whatever materials were available, including Bermuda cedar, animal bones and coins. This bracelet is hand-carved from cedar and features an unusual combination of five West Highland terriers and an elephant! It is on display in the Globe Museum, along with other carvings produced by Boer PoW’s. These exquisite items reflect the skills of the men during their time away from him; many of them never returned and are buried in the Boer PoW Cemetery on Long Island.
Nature Notes: The value of Red Mangroves
Red Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) native to Bermuda are in their glory this time of year and are looking especially floriferous around Mangrove Lake in Hamilton Parish.

Did you know that Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems on our planet? For this reason, they have been listed as a protected species since 2011. They are the transitional zone between land and sea and protect our shorelines by acting as a buffer against hurricanes. They protect coral reefs from sedimentation, sequester carbon which combats climate change, serve as nurseries, providing a vital food source and habitat for various species including some that are endangered.

They provide for green economy services which benefit our tourism offering. It has been said that Mangroves depend on us but it's clear we have a co-dependency which should motivate our want to preserve these beautiful trees.
BNT Properties: The Old Rectory
Tucked away on Broad Alley, St. George’s is this charming old Bermuda cottage which was built by ship's captain George Dew in about 1699.

One of the oldest houses in the town, it became the Old Rectory in the late 1700s when it was the home of Reverend Alexander Richardson, nicknamed ‘The Little Bishop’ and Rector of St George's Parish Church.

Many of the building's features are unique to the period, including welcoming arms stairs and windows positioned high under the eaves. Its original roof would have been thatch or shingle. Mrs Jeanette Outerbridge who lived in the house for many years used to hear delicate, tinkling sounds of music played on a keyboard.

The story goes that someone who lived there in the early days played the spinet or harpsichord. Another tenant described the sounds as "The tinkling of bells - gentle, happy tunes". The Old Rectory was acquired in 1950 by the Bermuda Historical Monuments Trust, forerunner of the BNT. The property is occupied by tenants and not open to the public.
Nature Notes: Juvenile Bermuda Cedar
Monday motivation! This determined juvenile Bermuda cedar has found a way to survive and thrive in most challenging circumstances. 
Having pushed its way through a crack in the road surface and grown up against a wall, it continues the story of the resilience of our beloved cedar tree: in the 1600s the trees covered Bermuda providing first class timber for the first settlers to build houses and ships; by the 1840s the cedar forests had been denuded by the flourishing settlement; but back they came in force – only for an accidentally introduced scale insect to kill off 95% of the trees in the 1940s. The remaining 5% have enabled the survival of the species. It seems that even modern times are no match for this little cedar tree. Maybe there’s a message here!
Trust Treasures: Penny Farthing Bicycle
“I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride my bike." 
Here is another interesting story from our museums!

This penny farthing bicycle, on display at the BNT Museum at the Globe Hotel, is a good example of the wackier side of Victorian ingenuity. 

Invented in 1871 by British engineer James Starley, the penny farthing was designed for speed and could reach up to a dizzying 28kph. A much-enjoyed pastime was to watch men race these bicycles around purpose-built tracks. Perhaps somewhat of a design flaw, these bicycles had no brakes: in order to stop or remain stationary, the rider had to pedal backwards. Despite numerous grizzly crashes, the popularity of the penny farthing saw the advent of cycling as a mainstream hobby for a while. 

As Bermuda grew in popularity as a holiday destination, there was a growing need for mobility. A law passed in 1908 banning the use of the motor car on the island led to a transport solution for locals and tourists: the bicycle. In January 1912, a Mr. Bell opened the doors of The Eureka Cycle Company on Reid Street, offering the British-made Herald bicycle for purchase or hire, guaranteeing its “thorough testing before exportation”. This form of transportation boomed on the island and by the 1930s Bermuda boasted over 16,000 bicycles for a population of 25,000.
Built to Last: Manchester Unity Hall
Ever thought about the people who created our buildings? If walls could talk they'd have some stories to tell!
 
The Trust has identified a number of significant buildings at risk. They are examples of Bermuda’s unique architectural heritage buildings which we believe warrant protection for future generations. In collaboration with the National Museum of Bermuda, we will be highlighting these buildings over the coming weeks.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows’ Loyal Irresistible Lodge No. 6587 is named after the Royal Navy’s battleship HMS Irresistible, then stationed in Bermuda. It is without a doubt the most elaborate of all Bermuda’s lodge buildings and is located on the corner of Cambridge and Somerset roads.
Designed by John W Greig as a two-storey building with a side tower, each floor’s dimensions are 56’ x 29’ x 14’. The cornerstone was laid in April 1901. From start to finish the work was done on a voluntary basis by the Brethren of the Lodge and when completed was debt-free. The grand new hall was dedicated with much pomp and circumstance on May 30, 1902. Participating in the celebration were members of the other Friendly Societies who arrived from Hamilton and St George’s on the steamer Corona. The newspaper remarked that “the most important feature of the parade was the presence of the Juvenile Branches... It is to them the Odd Fellows must look to build up their Lodges in the future”. 
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