Message from the Executive Director

Happy New Year! 



Some of you may have noticed that BNT’s headquarters, Waterville, disappeared under a giant tent for a couple of days in early January. The lovely historic building was found to have termites in its roof beams late last year. Tenting is the most effective long-lasting solution for termites in structural woodwork. While it involves the use of pesticides that we would normally avoid for environmental reasons, it is a solution that we must resort to from time to time as part of our commitment to preserving the historic buildings in our care. So, we started 2022 as we mean to go on – protecting our heritage!


As well as housing the Trust’s offices, Waterville has two reception rooms containing a collection of Bermuda cedar furniture, paintings and porcelain, which are open for visiting during normal business hours. We also have a large collection of old Bermuda books; this library is available for reference purposes on the premises to anyone who wishes to use it. 


Do drop in and visit us. Though our pop-up shop is now closed, we have some lovely Bermuda gifts, BNT books, BNT branded clothing and other items for sale in our reception area!

Karen Border

Executive Director

Conservation Updates

Volunteer Day at Rebecca Middleton Nature Reserve

On 11 December, a small but keen and focused team of community members came out to help the ongoing invasive species removal at Rebecca Middleton Nature Reserve. As a result, this reserve has transformed over the last two years. Between regular community volunteer days and the consistent maintenance provided by the Hulst family and friends, we have seen this space become a shining example of what’s possible when the community is brought together with consistent support.


Rebbecca Middleton Nature Reserve was donated to the Trust by the Cook family in 2006 to commemorate the brutal murder of Rebecca Middleton. The reserve is 0.4 of an acre, and whilst the chief management concern has historically been the invasive giant balloon vine, management has proved successful in its removal and native and endemic flora have been planted in any open space that becomes available.


It was a wet and cold day, the kind where you just want to stay home in bed with a warm drink and a good book. That said, I learned that BNT volunteers are always ready to go in the rain or shine. Just as the flag was being hoisted, the first volunteers showed up eager to get into it, and my energy was instantly boosted. Our focus was removing Shrubby Clerodendron and ensuring balloon vine wasn’t getting a chance to start rambling. Once we created some space, we planted Snowberry, Jamaica dogwood, Doc bush, a few more Cedars and Palmettos to strengthen the stand. 12:30 came so fast that the team wasn’t ready to stop, so we cleaned out the tribe road to access a shortcut that takes you right over to South Shore Road. This short trail takes you back in time as you walk past beautiful old Bermuda gardens and Cedar trees inundated with Spanish moss.


Rebbecca Middleton Nature Reserve is along one of Bermuda's most beautiful stretches of railway trail, and I encourage everyone to take in the beauty. 

Ceiba Pentandra



Ceiba pentandra, typically known as Kapok or Silk-cotton tree, is one of Bermuda's largest trees. It is deciduous, grows to as much as 70 metres, has a spiney trunk and often has prominent buttressing. These trees are not native but have significant cultural value.  


In the Caribbean and around the world, there is folklore associated with this tree and in many countries it holds great symbolism. Dr. William Davidson is a retired cultural geography professor at the Louisiana State University USA. He has studied Kapok (Ceiba) trees for decades, travelling the world to investigate the human relationship with these remarkable specimens. He had been going to visit Bermuda this month to study the Ceiba trees growing in Bermuda and would probably have been able to confirm that they are the most northerly in the world. Unfortunately, he has had to postpone his visit but has still agreed, as part of our Trust Talk series, to share by Zoom some of the knowledge he has about these beautiful trees. Sign up for this free Trust Talk.


Here at the Trust, in preparation for Dr Davidson's visit, we developed a google map that has all known Ceiba trees in Bermuda. It will make touring much more accessible and allow Bill to get started on investigating these trees from his computer. Click here to check out the newly developed map, and if you know of any more trees not on the map or have photos you're willing to share with us to add to the known history of these trees, it would be greatly appreciated.


Bill Davidson has a wealth of knowledge and is sure to bring to life the story of Ceiba pentandra and its long journey to Bermuda. Interested in learning more about him and his work? Visit this link!

Heritage at Risk

Walsingham Cottage in 1990 when it belonged to the T.H.H. Outerbridge Trust.

Walsingham Cottage, 6 Dolphin Drive

This is part of a series of architectural articles by the Bermuda National Trust to highlight some of Bermuda's endangered historic buildings.



by Linda Abend and Margie Lloyd

Walsingham Cottage in 2007..jpg

Walsingham Cottage is located in Blue Hole Park. Until it was purchased by the Bermuda Government in 1992, the cottage was part of the Walsingham property which included a main house now known as Tom Moore’s Tavern. According to the late historian, Dr Henry Wilkinson, Walsingham was “scenically the most beautiful estate in the colony”.

 

The small farmer’s cottage is believed to date back to the early 1800s when the 48-acre Walsingham estate was owned by Perient Trott whose ancestor, also named Perient, was one of the original shareholders in the Somers Island Company and the largest landowner in Bermuda at the time of Richard Norwood’s 1662/3 survey.


In 1821, when Walsingham was advertised for sale by order of the Court of Chancery, the large number of orange, lemon, lime and coffee trees was mentioned. A reminder of Walsingham’s farming past are the sisal and indigo plants that today grow wild. Sisal was traditionally used for making rope and twine and indigo is a blue dye generally used for colouring cotton yarn. Arrowroot was also grown and a mill set up to grind the root.


Click here to read the full article

Walsingham Cottage in 2021.2.jpg
Walsingham Cottage in 2021..jpg

BNT 2022 Calendars: History in Art

Have you picked up your BNT 2022 Calendar yet? We are now selling our 2022 calendars for half the price.

This year's calendar showcases Bermuda's 19th Century heritage through art.  


As a tribute to the late Geoffrey and Fay Elliott, the 2022 Bermuda National Trust calendar exclusively highlights images from the Elliott Collection. This extraordinary collection of more than 200 watercolours was donated to the BNT by the couple in 2017, and we are delighted to share them with you! The collection features artists such as Thomas Driver, Lieutenant General Gaspard Le Marchant Tupper, and Admiral Sir Michael Seymour.


Stop by Waterville from Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm to pick up your copy and get 50% off!

Call for Museum Guides!

Do you love Bermuda’s heritage? Want to help shed light on the broader Bermuda story?

Enjoy meeting fellow residents and Bermuda visitors? Have some time to give one day a week or more? If so, we really need you!


Find out more about volunteering at the Trust’s museums by contacting Dr. Charlotte Andrews at charlotte.andrews@bnt.bm or 236-6483 ext. 225

Upcoming Events

Rediscover Verdmont

22 January, 2022 - 11:00 am - noon

Click here to sign up


Volunteer Day at Scaur Lodge

22 January, 2022 - 9:00 am-noon

Click here to sign up


Virtual Trust Talk: Major Cultural Traditions of the Kapok Tree with Dr William Davidson

25 January, 2022 - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Click here to sign up


Rediscover Verdmont

28 January, 2022 - 11:00 am - noon

Click here to sign up


Step Back in Time Walking Tour

29 January, 2022 - 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Click here to sign up


Plant & Bake Sale

12 February, 2022 - 8:30 am - noon

Click here to sign up to volunteer or donate for the Plant & Bake Sale


Climate Change Agents Camp

7 - 11 February, 2022 & 14 - 18 February, 2022

Click here to download the registration form

Sign up to volunteer or donate for the Plant & Bake Sale
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Download Scholarship Application
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