2020 vol 33 - nmb.bm

2020 • VOL 33

NATIONALMUSEUMOF BERMUDA

At Home With History: virtual learning PAGE 7

United Together: life during shelter-in-place PAGE 11

MARITIMES

WWW NMB dotBM

LOCKED DOWN BUT NOT OUT!

Museum responds boldly to impact of global pandemic

2 M A R I T I M E S

3–5 News: Reshaping the NMB experience; Keep-a-Sheep; Free February, Boston conference, Atlantic World lectures; Sculpture finds a new home

6 New Acquisitions

THE LOCKDOWN

7–9 At Home With History: Tackling virtual learning

in the pandemic

10 Conservation challenge: when Museum doors shutBy Zoe Brady

11 United Together: NMB photo project documents life under lockdown

12–13 Your photo submissions

14–16 Regiment on the front line By Andy Wallace

17 Thank you, 2019 donors

18–19 Grundy photo contest kids shoot to thrill

20–21 Education updates

22 Farewells

23 NMB People

COVER: Selections from United Together project photo submissions

The National Museum of Bermuda is located within 15.73 acres of fortifications at the Royal Naval Dockyard, including buildings of outstanding historical value. The Museum is a non-government, non-profit Bermuda Registered Charity (No. 136), established in 1974, and its general operations are funded by donations and gate receipts from over 70,000 visitors annually. Its staff is supported by local and visiting volunteers. NMB is overseen by the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Bermuda. The Museum opens 9 am–5 pm weekdays, 9:30 am–5 pm weekends (last admission 4 pm) every day except Christmas Day. Winter hours 10 am–5 pm (last entry 4 pm).

Editor: Deborah Atwood

MARITimes (ISSN 1015-6127) is published by National Museum of Bermuda Press PO Box MA 133, Mangrove Bay MA BX, Bermuda Tel (441) 234–1333 E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.nmb.bm

Publication history: Under the name Bermuda Maritime Museum Quarterly, publication began in 1988 (2 issues: Volume 1, no. 1 and no. 2) and continued each year with four issues until 1995, when only two issues were produced, being Volume 8, no. 1 and no. 2. In 1996, the name of the magazine was changed

to MARITimes, and four issues (Volume 9, nos. 1–4) were produced. From Volumes 10–14, MARITimes

was produced three times a year, and two issues a year for Volumes 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31. Only one issue was published for Volumes 13, 22, 25, 26, 28 and 29.

Editorial support, editing and design by Brimstone Media Ltd., Bermuda

(441) 505-5818; [email protected]

MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BERMUDA

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MARITIMES

16

Royal Patron

HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO Officers Rees Fletcher Chairman Michael Maguire Vice Chairman Matthew Claridge Treasurer James Watlington Secretary Board of Trustees

Robert Blee, Jennifer Davidson, Timothy Davidson, Jazmin DaPonte, Dr. Douglas De Couto, Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson, Andrew Dias, Dr. Janet Ferguson, Pamela Ferreira, Michael Grayston, James Hallett, Dr. Clarence Maxwell, Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, Ru-Zelda Severin, Robert Steinhoff, Neil Stempel, Charles Thresh, Col. Sumner Waters Associated Board Heads

George Fergusson, Chairman, Friends of the National Museum of Bermuda (UK) Michael Darling, President, American Friends of the National Museum of Bermuda, Inc.

National Museum of Bermuda Staff

Executive Director Elena Strong

Curator Deborah Atwood, PHD Director of Learning Lisa Howie and Engagement

Registrar Jane Downing Conservator Zoe Brady Advancement Officer Katie Bennett Facilities Manager Andrew Harris Admin Assistant Paula Pitman Ticket Office Corene Smith Percival Ratteray

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18

Inside

By Elena Strong

This year, we have all lived history together: witnessing a global pandemic that is impacting millions of lives,

local economies and our day-to-day experiences. We are sharing a unique and challenging moment of collective memory. Like museums and businesses around the world, the National Museum has found new ways to adapt and serve our community in our own best way, while staying true to our course. This year has accelerated and increased our reach beyond the walls of the Keep Fort as we develop new ways to experience the Museum digitally. Online, at nmb.bm, NMB staff have opened our collections to new audiences with our new blog, with topics that range from St. George’s stalactite caves, to ghost hunting and storytelling and to the history of Cup Match. Our beloved Hall of History now has a virtual tour and in The Keep Lounge, NMB staff host conversations with local artists and educators. Our online genealogy database has never been used more, Saturday yoga class offerings have doubled, and our

crowd-sourced community pandemic documentation project, United Together, and annual youth photo contest drew hundreds of submissions. With all these activities, NMB joins museums world-wide in developing and reshaping the museum experience so that a vibrant, National Museum can be a part of what keeps Bermuda healthy and strong. Thanks to previous investments in programme and strategic planning (including hurricane proofing), both our physical site and core museum functions weathered our temporary three-month closure and the recent active Atlantic storms. Our Island has experienced the benefits of relative stability, and so has our National Museum. Moreover, in crisis, we found clarity and new meaning in our mandate. We are and always have been a learning institution. Our work today is to expand the belief that history is fundamental—to show that history provides context for contemporary issues. Learning history nurtures empathy, promotes understanding of divergent perspectives, and builds comparative and critical thinking skills.

Without historical perspective, it is nearly impossible to connect the dots. And without history, it becomes difficult to explain how Bermuda positions itself to the world—how this was done in the past; in the present; and how it will be done in the future. We are working hard to ensure our National Museum is part of every educational journey in Bermuda. This one-time digital edition of MARITimes looks back on NMB’s 2020 activities and diverts funds to the most pressing financial needs of the Museum. We hope this digital edition inspires you to share it and use it to connect with friends and family near and far. Print editions will resume next year. Looking ahead and planning our future energises our daily work even as we know the months ahead remain uncertain for everyone. For now, we are deeply grateful to our community, especially the extraordinary relationships we have with you, our members. We look forward to welcoming 2021 alongside you.

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l News

Reshaping the museum experienceA letter to NMB members from the Executive Director

Don’t be sheepish! Grab our new sheep gifts for holidaysThe Museum’s resident sheep-scapers are taking on a new role for the holidays: souvenirs. Not the real thing, but as keychains or ornaments. They’re a perfect holiday gift for your loved ones (or yourself), are Bermuda made, hand-crafted, and you can add a holiday ribbon, bell or person-alised name tag. All proceeds directly support the Museum’s education and outreach initiatives, the mainte-nance of our historic buildings

and grounds, NMB staff, and our collection of 80,000-plus objects. Keychains start at just $10, and ornaments at $20. You can order online at www.nmb.bm/keep-a-sheep. Earlier this year we also ran an online fundraiser which gave our sheep their new names: Malabar, Daisy, Onyx, Prickly Pear, Cedar, Huge Bo Peep, Lamb Chop, Darling, Vince, Walsingham, Irresistible, Lighthouse, Olivia, and Lili.

Locally made by

Lama Handmade

BDA, these

adorable gifts can

be personalised

with names,

ribbons and bells

l News

4 M A R I T I M E S

Our Free February was fabulous! Bermuda papers at major Boston conference The Society for Historical Archaeology conference in Boston, MA saw Bermuda history featured in several papers, including two by NMB staff and a board member. With Boston known as “the birthplace of the American Revolution,” organisers invited papers on the theme of revolution and included topics as varied as the archaeology of burials, the African diaspora experience and the impact of climate change on heritage sites. NMB Trustee and member of the American Friends board Dr. Marley Brown III presented An

Archaeological Perspective

On The Transition From

Enslavement To Freedom

In The Colony Of Bermuda. NMB Curator Dr. Deborah Atwood and bioarchae -ologist Dr. Thomas Crist presented their work on the study of human remains uncovered at the Watford Island Old Convict Burial ground in 2018. Details of their research will be published in a future issue of MARITimes. Locally, Atwood also joined a panel discussion for the Bermudian Heart-beats lecture series hosted by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. The panel for Memories are Made of

This: Preserving Family

Histories, Artifacts and

Heirlooms included Mandellas Lightbourne (Bermuda Archives) and Ellen Hollis (Bermuda National Library).

The Museum opened its gates for free to all Bermuda residents for the month of February.

While “Free for February” is a yearly initiative at the Museum, this year we hosted free activities for all visitors each Saturday, offering a unique opportunity to experience the Museum in new ways, learn a skill or craft, connect with the past and engage with our visitors. Artist Ronnie Chameau conducted work-shops on palmetto weaving, Bermudian author and storyteller Florenz Maxwell shared highlights from two of her books, and photo -grapher A. B. Wilson guided groups through the Museum property, focusing on details of the grounds, historic objects and buildings. Bermuda National Library librarian Marla Smith read excerpts from The Story of the Bermuda Cedar Tree, by Kevin Stevenson, and other stories, and her colleague, librarian Ellen Hollis, hosted a workshop on genealogy and Bermuda family history. Registered yoga teacher Lisa Wingood demonstrated chair yoga to improve flexibility and reduce stress. Her classes proved so popular they have become a regular Saturday feature: $15 for NMV members, $20 non-members. NMB staff were on site in the Hall of History at Commissioner’s House to connect with visitors and guide them through the 1,000-sq.-ft. mural masterpiece by Graham Foster. A kid-friendly scavenger hunt encouraging participants to explore the expansive NMB grounds and focus on other-wise passed-by details was available every day. More than 1,000 Bermuda residents took advantage of Free for February, and we were excited to see many returned multiple times to weave with Ronnie and hear Florenz’s stories.

Photographer A. B. Wilson guided groups of

visitors on a Museum-wide shoot

Yoga teacher Lisa Wingood led free classes in

the Keep Yard and at Commissioner’s House

Like other establishments, the National Museum was able to reopen after Bermuda’s initial lockdown. However, to keep visitors and staff safe, we have instituted Covid-19 guidelines which we ask everyone to follow. Please refer to this chart to ensure your visit to the Museum is a safe one. Thank you.

PLEASE HELP US KEEP YOU AND NMB SAFEKeep

2m (6ft)apart

Stay home ifyou areunwell

Maintainhand hygiene

Masks required forentry to all Museum

buildings

Give way to thosedescending stairs

l News

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Whether cultural, familial, social or political,

Bermuda has links with Latin and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the UK and Europe. To uncover these links and the global forces throughout the Atlantic World that helped shape Bermuda as we know it, NMB launched a free public lecture series in March. The series kicked off with The Early Atlantic Age (1250–1609): Why and How Did We Get Here? presented by Bermudian historian Dr. Clarence Maxwell and began with construction of the Atlantic System that led to the Island’s discovery, the arrival of the first man of African descent, Venturilla, and the Sea Venture wreck. The series explores connections throughout the Atlantic World that helped shape today’s Bermuda. Framing local history in the context of the Atlantic World allows for better understand-

ing of the complexities and nuances of Bermuda’s diverse past. Executive Director Elena Strong said: “Knowing, under-standing and appreciating our history enables us to effectively navigate the present, to shape our identity and to strengthen our purpose in the world. This lecture series is an important way to connect with the community and share the new ways in which the Museum is think-ing about Bermuda’s history and heritage.” The second lecture, Building a Maritime Community & Maritime State: Early Settlement & Economic Growth (1609–1800), was also presented by Dr. Maxwell and asked “What are the critical relationships and adaptations that shaped Bermuda?” Due to Covid-19 restrictions on public gather-ings, the second lecture was hosted virtually via Zoom, allowing access to both locals

and people overseas. NMB provided a free syllabus with additional reading material and video resources so participants could dive deeper into the content. Developed by members of the NMB Education Committee and staff, the syllabus includes questions to consider before, during, and after the lecture, offering an opportunity for participants to critically analyse history through a personal lens. In the third lecture of the series, Pushing the Boundaries of Freedom (1790-1860), also held via Zoom, Dr. Kristy Warren explored the myriad ways in which enslaved and formerly enslaved people in Bermuda resisted their enslavement, asserted their humanity and pushed the boundaries of freedom before and after emancipation. The lectures are part of the NMB Teacher Professional Development Course which is endorsed by the Bermuda

Department of Education, and through which teachers can receive professional development credit from the Bermuda Education Council. All lectures and the syllabus are available on the Museum website at www.nmb.bm/lecture Dr. Maxwell is an assistant professor of Caribbean and Latin American History at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He is a Trustee of the National Museum and specialises in topics concerning Bermuda, the Caribbean and Latin America, the African Diaspora, and the history of Atlantic enslavement. Dr. Warren, Research Associate at the University of Leicester, researches the socio-political history of British colonialism in Bermuda and the wider Caribbean along with the lingering legacies of this past in the region and wider diaspora.

Lectures highlight Bermuda in Atlantic World

Family Circle, by renowned Bermudian artist Bill Ming, has a new home at NMB, on loan from the Corporation of Hamilton. The work is on display in the entrance to Commissioner’s House and links exhibits on slavery and enslavement in Bermuda. While on display Family Circle will play an important role in education programmes being developed at NMB. Comprised of seven wooden figures, the art-work took several years to

complete and was made using methods reminis-cent of African carvers. Each figure was carved directly into the wood without drawings or plans, with Ming taking inspiration from personal experiences and his cultural heritage links with Africa, the Americas and Europe. The figures were originally exhibited separately or in pairs but when exhibitions were over, Ming stored them together in his studio. Realising this act of

separation and division was akin to what his ancestors endured, Ming decided to display the figures together. This act, he says, “gave each figure a voice, presence and strength.” Other elements and materials used in the artwork further comment on the impact of slavery: “Ball bearings indicate a loss of direction and the outline of a slave ship carved into one figure’s back portrays our journey to the West,” he said.

Family finds a new home at NMB

Family Circle at Commissioner’s House

l New Acquisitions

6 M A R I T I M E S

Black Lives Matter march signs

Tyaneil and Anna Darrell donated two signs they carried in the Black Lives Matter March in Hamilton on June 13 this year.

NMB recently acquired the watercolour and gouache painting Stalactite Caves,

St. George’s, Bermuda, c. 1874–80, by Lt. Francis Henry Boyer. The scene reflects the Victorian fascination with nature, and the role of natural attractions, such as caves, at the dawn of Bermuda’s tourism industry.

The elders and congregation of Cobbs Hill Methodist Church recently decided to retire their pipe organ, and the Museum was delighted to provide a home for it. The organ—thought to be Bermuda’s oldest, shown partly dismantled, above—has led congregations in Bermuda for more than 130 years. It is thought to have been built for Christ Presbyterian Church in Warwick around 1885, moved to the newly-built Grace Methodist Church on North Shore in 1900, and found its final home at Cobbs Hill in 1957. The organ is one of only 19 known surviving examples of the hundreds of organs constructed by the New York firm of William H. Davis, which built instruments “primarily for country churches that could not afford the major builders.” The organ joins a bier and wooden prayer stool, already donated by the church.

Museum members Peter and Sue Simons gave two 19th century brass gauges made by Dewrance & Co. in London for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, and used to pressure-test ships’ boilers before insuring them.

Berlene Smith and Harold Simons help

during the organ’s removal from Cobb’s Hill

This monogrammed glass is part of a larger collection donated to NMB. The collection includes Chinese porcelain bowls and rare Bristol glass, largely dating to the 18th century. More details in our next issue.

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T o stay connected with our community while our doors were shuttered, NMB launched At Home with History: an effort to reach beyond the walls of the Keep Fort and join

museums worldwide in a shift to digital learning. There was a steady rollout of activity-driven, interesting, and fun materials including online interactive exhibits and virtual volunteer projects for all ages to engage with Bermuda history. At Home with History began with a virtual 360-degree tour of the Hall of History mural and rapidly expanded to include remote learning support for local teachers and students. We fast-tracked our work with Department of Education, Bermuda Government to create digital social studies lesson units for immediate and future use. We provided free access to NMB’s Clara Hollis Hallett genealogy database to support family history research projects and developed online

programming to encourage genealogy research. Our new blog posts were a hit. NMB staff and guests wrote on a variety of topics providing historical perspective to contemporary issues. The Museum also produced The Keep Lounge, an online video series featuring discussions with local artists, artisans and scholars on Bermuda history and culture. To capture and document the lived experience of our community in this unprecedented time, United Together: Sharing Bermuda’s Covid-19 Pandemic Stories was conceived. This crowdsourcing project allowed us to collect history as it was lived, something we have always wanted to do. In short, rather than pause our work we accelerated it to serve our community in our own best way. While more remote than ever, it is clear that history and culture can keep us together and connected.

TAKING HISTORY HOME

THE LOCKDOWN

AT HOME WITH

HISTORY


Tackling virtual learning during the pandemic

8 M A R I T I M E S

The At Home with History programme launched with a 360-

degree virtual tour of artist Graham Foster’s Hall of History. The tour was created by Brandon Hull of HullFilm, who previously made virtual tours for sites including Monticello in Virginia and the Slave Quarters at Decatur House in Washington, DC. It can be accessed on all computers and mobile devices. Foster’s 1,000-sq. ft. mural traces the 500-year human history of Bermuda with vibrant detail, irreverent humour and poignant observations.Though much has been written about Bermuda history, there are few visuals and the Hall of History serves as a fantastic entry point from which to uncover new stories and histories. At a time of collective experience, NMB is elevating its education mission to serve

educators, parents, and life-long learners Island-wide and abroad. Virtual tools like this and online programming mean that anyone with an internet connection can connect with us and continue to learn and better understand Bermuda’s rich and diverse history. In providing this virtual platform for viewing the mural, NMB joins a global effort: over this past year, thousands of museums have shut their doors to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Thankfully, many are getting creative: looking to technology for ways to share their collections, insights and expertise. Some have moved their collections and exhibits online and others are offering virtual tours for those stuck at home and in need of a culture fix. NMB is proud to be part of this global effort to remain connected, and to support and build community.

AT HOME WITH

HISTORY

NATIONALMUSEUMOF BERMUDA THE HALL GOES VIRTUAL

Magnificent mural now visible online in stunning 360-degrees

Artist Graham Foster with his Hall of History mural

NMB launched The Keep

Lounge, a new web series that takes its name from the Keep, Bermuda’s largest fortification and home to the National Museum. The series featuresdiscussions with artists, artisans and scholars on a range of topics related to Bermuda history, art and culture. In the first episode, NMB Director of Learning & Engagement Lisa

Howie and Curator Dr. Deborah Atwood talked with Bermudian artist Graham

Foster about the research and process involved in his Hall of History mural at

Commissioner’s House and discussed the role art plays as a historic document for researchers. In the second episode we sat down with Veronica “Ronnie” Chameau to chat about the history, tradition and future of palmetto weaving in Bermuda. Both episodes were recorded and can be viewed on our website at www.nmb.bm/ keep-lounge-series/

Sit back and enjoy history from our new Keep Lounge series

THE LOCKDOWN

Subscribe to our new blog

THE LOCKDOWN

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W hen the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, NMB Director of Learning

Lisa Howie reached out to local educators to learn how NMB could best support them with remote learning. Already in collaboration with Department of Education, Bermuda Government (DoE), in the rewriting of key components of the local social studies curriculum, NMB was in a strong position to help. We worked swiftly to create digital resources for immediate student remote learning and for future classroom use. In partnership with DoE, the Museum created two e-book units in student and teacher editions: The History

of Tourism in Bermuda for Primary School 6 and The

Transatlantic Slave Trade for Middle School Year 2. Aligned with current social studies curriculum, the e-books include a series of investigations to challenge critical thinking and encourage reflection on how the past affects the present. For teachers, the Museum hosted a webinar designed to specifically to unpack the e-book The

Transatlantic Slave Trade and ensure its use. The webinar attracted 65 educators from various schools and year groups, as well as interested community members. The 60-minute session, moderated by Lisa Howie, included a panel of speakers, all of whom contributed to the e-book: Dr. Deborah

Atwood, NMB Curator; Nicole Grant, Department of Education Social Studies Officer; Dr. Janet Ferguson, NMB Education Committee Chair; and Dr. Clarence Maxwell, History Professor at Millersville University and NMB Education Committee member. Participants reviewed the Museum’s robust online library of resources available at www.nmb.bm, which includes information on collections, exhibits, blog articles, research and more. Dr. Maxwell spoke about the origins, meanings and societies of slavery, which developed contextual understanding of the e-book. Dr. Ferguson explained the matrix under-pinning the method of instruction and assessment, which many participants indicated could be useful for their planning. Nicole Grant endorsed the e-book, as it involves investigations of artifacts, personal reflections and creative responses in order to develop critical analysis and empathetic responses to the sensitive topic of enslavement. The impact of the webinar was summed up by M3 educator Denika Wade: “I want to know more. There is so much that students need to know within the narrative of slavery and history in Bermuda. Without this, progress to a truly equal Bermuda is almost impossible.”

—Lisa Howie

Creating e-learning for students and teachers

The History ofBermudaTourism

National Museum of BermudaAt Home with History

TEACHER EDITION

Tourism explained: one of the two e-book units created by the

Museum in collaboration with the Department of Education

Early in the year, NMB launched a blog to open our collections and work to our members and new audiences. Since its launch, NMB staff and guest contributors have published more than 40 articles, with a particular increase while the Museum’s doors were closed. Articles provide historical perspective to contemporary issues with topics including yellow fever history, St. George’s stalactite caves, local ghost and folklore stories and the history of Cup Match. Subscribe today and get Bermuda history delivered to your inbox. Go to: www.nmb.bm/blog

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THE LOCKDOWN

By Zoe Brady Conservator

WALL-E is a wonderful 2008 Disney film that begins with a solitary robot diligently doing his

job, even though the world around him has become considerably different and lonely. He cleans up and looks out for signs of persistent life. Sometimes I catch myself feeling a bit like that poor fellow, helping to maintain stewardship over a place in preparation for reopening. The National Museum made the difficult decision in March to suspend front-facing operations until further notice in response to the escalation of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a communal family space that encourages discourse, communion and interaction for every-body, there was no other choice. Prolonged inactivity has impact. With temporary closure, exhibit spaces sit in darkness, air circulation is limited and the area cools. No one is breathing, perspiring and bringing in wet raincoats or umbrellas, stabilising the humidity. Conversation and footsteps cease. A place that used to be busy with locals, visitors and cruise ship arrivals, becomes totally still. WALL-E had one friend and pet who ironically embodies one of my enemies: he is known solely in the Disney wiki as “WALL-E cockroach.” Insects love quiet and dark spaces, and consequentially while NMB was closed there was a risk of increased activity. One of our initiatives was to ramp up the use and monitoring of insect (blunder) traps, with preparations to mitigate impacts as needed. Darkness and decreased air circulation also encourages mould and allows dust to settle, and while many cases are sealed and designed to maintain a low humidity, other areas must be monitored carefully and cleaned. This includes sustaining a

systematic approach to storage areas. Museums exhibit so that people can enjoy and learn in a tangible way. Though we took steps to engage audiences

digitally with our At Home with History programme, the Museum and its artifacts was still being cared for and were ready to enjoy when NMB was able to reopen.

LOCKDOWN CONSERVATION No one was breathing, perspiring, bringing in wet raincoats, stabilising the humidity

Shipwreck Island, one of our key exhibits kept pristine during lockdown

Prolonged inactivity has impact. With temporary closure, exhibit spaces sit in darkness, air circulation is limited and the area cools. A place that used to be busy becomes totally still

WALL-E’s cockroach friend: ironically one of the Museum’s greatest enemies

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By Deborah Atwood Curator

F or more than four decades the National Museum has been a steward of Bermuda’s cultural heritage. The artifacts in our collections

document the development of Bermuda over five centuries, the everyday lived experience of locals, and the connections Bermuda has with the wider Atlantic World. As we navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, we are living history right now and documenting and preserving the moment. The experiences of Bermudians are incredibly important, so to capture this unprecedented time, the Museum launched United Together: Sharing Bermuda’s Covid-19 Pandemic Stories, a project aimed at collecting electronic mementoes of people’s experiences as our community grapples with the crisis. The global pandemic has reshaped the way we live and left an indelible mark on each of us. As we rapidly adapted to a new and unprecedented way of life we are mindful of the toll this virus has taken on us as individuals and as a community, especially with the devastating reality that lives have already been lost and are still at risk. Social distancing, self-isolation, quarantine and shelter-in-place have become everyday vocabulary. Everyone has found new ways to adapt: online schooling, remote working, virtual exercise classes, grocery deliveries and even video-conferencing quiz nights and virtual doctors’ visits. As people looked to tech-nology to keep some form of normality, and remain connected and engaged, the NMB Curatorial team grappled with the

question: how do we record and preserve this his-torical moment? Historians rely on first-hand accounts, memoirs, journals, photographs, art, music and poetry to get a glimpse of the humanity behind history’s most significant events. Newspapers, official government

documents and media coverage will provide future historians with information on how local, national and international lead-ers responded to the crisis—but the records of everyday life are equally important. Though you may not think an individual’s story is museum-worthy, it is. Creating a digital archive of this event provides future historians with the everyday lived experiences of our Island and showcases how the average person dealt with this historical moment. Whether through a diary, journal, painting, drawing, photo-graph, poem or song, the Bermuda community submitted its experiences, thoughts and reflections of what it is like living here during the pandemic: waiting in line at the grocery store, virtual gatherings, virtual learning/gym classes, closed offices, empty streets, and separation from family and friends. Whether via email or by using the hashtag #UnitedTogetherBDA on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, the community submitted more than 100 stories, which have all been catalogued and added to the NMB’s community digital archive. “We need moments and projects like United Together to keep our spirits up. Thanks for your efforts.” —James O'Shaughnessy The following gallery presents some of the many images and stories submitted to the United Together archive project.

UNITED TOGETHERNATIONALMUSEUM

OF BERMUDA

UNITED TOGETHER

NMB project helps Bermuda share stories of pandemic

THE LOCKDOWN

Somerset streets were eerily

quiet during shelter-in-place

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Zoom meeting and classes became

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Frontline workers at King Edward VII Hospital. Essential

workers became the Island’s heroes

Wise advice from a young

Bermuda signmaker

Art was also a popular activity during

lockdown (above and below)

Homemade signs were seen throughout the Island

thanking and showing support for frontline workers

Bermudians were proud of their essential workers in all Bermuda’s emergency services

Home-made face masks became

a popular lock-down activity

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THE LOCKDOWN

Everyone had to get used to masks, no matter

what the activity (above and below)Lockdown didn’t stop fitness ethusiasts from their exercise regimes

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Closed signs sprung up everywherePerfumiers Lili Bermuda made hand sanitiser

One young Bermudian decided Easter Bunnies

were essential workers

Roadside checks by the Royal Bermuda

Regiment became a part of daily life

Stocking up on essentials on

designated shopping days


THE LOCKDOWN

Andy Wallace began working for NMB as a volunteer intern in 2018 and was recently promoted to Curatorial Assistant. He has a background in military history and is a key member of the Curatorial team, helping with research, collection management, exhibit installation, public outreach, archaeological work and conservation. However, Andy also has another role outside NMB as an off icer in the Royal Bermuda Regiment. During the past few months, Andy temporarily stepped away from his Museum work to join the frontline of Bermuda’s response to Covid-19. Andy shares his experience. By Andy Wallace Curatorial Assistant & 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Bermuda Regiment

When I joined the National Museum’s Curatorial Department, I thought I would be preserving

history, not becoming part of it. But—having volunteered for the Royal Bermuda Regiment not long before—I and hundreds of other soldiers were mobilised as part of the response to the Covid-19 crisis, which has become the longest embodiment of the Island’s

troops since the Second World War. I joined as a private soldier last May and later spent 10 weeks at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, to qualify for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant, returning in February, just weeks before

the pandemic hit Bermuda. The Regiment was embodied to help enforce the shelter-in-place emergency regulations, which meant setting up community advisory points across the Island, patrolling Bermuda’s waters and providing assistance to various govern-ment departments. The Regiment played a major part in the crisis response for Operation SOTER, as it was called, and carried out an essential role in gathering statistics on the public’s compliance with regulations. The information was passed to the Ministries of Health and National Security, which was a valuable tool in their decision-making process. My job was to lead a platoon that manned community advisory check-points around the clock. Two platoons had already been mobilised at Warwick Camp when I was called up on April 16. The Regiment already had a plan to practice social distancing, which meant barrack rooms designed to hold more than 30 soldiers could now accommodate only a handful of people and tents popped up all over the camp due to the overflow.

REGIMENT ON THE FRONT LINENMB volunteer on his experience as a soldier manning Bermuda’s Covid-19 response

NMB’s Andy Wallace in uniform

A Regiment briefing session, left, and spot-checking traffic on Harbour Road

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THE LOCKDOWN

Operational housing had to be found elsewhere, and Warwick Academy and Saltus Grammar School had already offered use of their gymnasiums as forward operating bases. My platoon, 4 Platoon, was sent to Saltus, from where we would run the checkpoints in the East End of the Island. The gym quickly became our home. Training, lessons, and fitness were conducted on a regular basis, but we also gave time for the troops to unwind, with a projector set up to watch movies during off days, as they weren’t allowed to go home. Our routine was organised around a four-day rotation, with two-day shifts, followed by a night shift, and then a training day—typically waking at 6 a.m. and working until 7 p.m. The platoon Sergeant and I would return to Warwick Camp every night for briefings from the command team. For me, and the three other former Saltus pupils in the platoon, being back in school was both entertaining and nostalgic. To further mitigate the potential spread of Covid-19, the platoon had to be treated as if it was a 32-person house-hold. Although we ate, showered and slept in the same areas, we still managed to minimise contact with one another and trucks designed to carry 12 were limited to groups of six. The gymnasium was partitioned so

members of each team shared the same areas, but with as much distance between the six teams as possible, and we ensured everyone spent as much time outdoors as they could. The soldiers’ temperatures were taken every day by RBR medics. Cleaning is a high priority in the military, so a duty rota was established with teams in charge of their own areas, vehicles and the rest of the areas we used. A boot disinfectant zone was set up with a strict policy that all boots had to be removed and sprayed in case of contamination—a move that kept the Saltus facilities manager happy because there was no risk of Army boots ruining the floors. Uniforms were picked up by the Logistics Company at breakfast, laundered, and returned with dinner to minimise exposure to germs that soldiers may have picked up from members of the public. But we didn’t just protect the public. Two soldiers pitched in to care for wildlife as well, saving a terrapin found overheated on the tarmac during an outdoor fitness session. Named Speedy, he was adopted as platoon mascot and the soldiers chipped in to buy a terrarium

to set up in our Operations Room, and later added another terrapin to the ranks. The camaraderie shown by other essential services and support shown by the public towards the Regiment made us all proud to be serving our country. As Platoon Commander I was often in the front seat of our troop transports, and it seemed every essential service vehicle we drove past offered a friendly wave or the traditional Bermuda beep. Although we delayed the public’s road travels by stopping them at our checkpoints, friendly faces often dropped off crates of energy drinks, snacks and water for the troops. The Regiment remained very much present after the shelter-in-place regulations were lifted and continued to enforce the curfew on land and at sea, and advising and enforcing social distancing regulations in public places such as beaches and parks. Curfew enforcement entailed making sure only cleared vehicles were on the roads and assisting police in tracking individuals breaking curfew. Unfortunately, two soldiers, Pte. Ndavyah Williams and Pte. Kirk Wilks, were struck by a vehicle travelling at high speed after the curfew. Pte. Williams’s serious injuries required medical treat-ment in Boston, and both soldiers are in our thoughts while they recover. There are many history-making

Regiment soldiers carry out spot checks on traffic at

Crow Lane and in the streets of Hamilton

‘ The camaraderie shown by other essential services made us all proud to serve’


moments in Bermuda’s Covid-19 response, but as a unit we are proud to have been able to serve our Island during this global crisis. The Regiment has delivered operational capability and has cemented itself in the history books, as well as underlined its flexibility and professionalism at times of crisis. For me, it means I’ve had the pleasure of working with great people from all walks of life, during what will probably be the longest continuous mobilisation of my military career. The connections made with my colleagues will only help our efficiency in future exercises and operations. Despite the distressing circumstances, I will miss it. Soldiers—men and women who were raw recruits a few months ago—are now valued as experienced soldiers who have gelled with their units. They take pride in their work and have performed out-standingly despite, in some cases, having to cope with the personal stress of being laid-off or made redundant from their civilian jobs because of the economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus. The RBR is recruiting now and it’s arguably the best time to join. It offers a sense of pride in duty done, camaraderie, trades and specialist training, travel, and good rates of pay. They are all great reasons to join “Your Regiment.” But the bottom line is we do what we do for our country and our fellow soldiers—and Bermuda is better off for it.

l REVOLUTIONTHE LOCKDOWN

The Regiment’s marine force kept watch on Bermuda’s beaches and coastline

Troops were sent to patrol Hamilton’s deserted streets after curfew

Soldiers were housed in makeshift dormitories, including at Saltus Grammar SchoolManning a checkpoint

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Thank you to our 2019 supportersDonors to NMB and the American Friends of the National Museum of Bermuda, Inc.Admiral of the Fleet ($25,000+) Anonymous Anonymous Bacardi International Limited The Family of Archie & Keggie Hollis Hallett The Estate of Roger Snape The Ernest E. Stempel Foundation Admiral ($10,000–$24,999) Ascendant Group Aspen Group Neptune Group Ltd. Fay & Geoffrey Elliott Donna Mae & Rees Fletcher Jane & David Pimm Bob Steinhoff Carla & Neil Stempel Commodore ($5,000–$9,999) The Argus Group Lord & Lady Astor Susan & Robert Blee Debbie & Jim Butterfield Chubb Bermuda Mary & Michael Darling Irwin Belk Educational Foundation Margaret & James Hallett Katrina & John Hele Janice & Erich Hetzel Christopher Marshall Lucy & Mike Murphy Nancy & Brian O’Hara H. A. & E. Smith Ltd. Sheila & Tim Pettee Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone Kate & Walter Scott Captain ($1,000–$4,999) Linda & Max Abend Janet Hoehlein & Jens Alers Sandra & James Amos Aon Bermuda Ltd. Jane Ashton AXA XL Bank of Bermuda Foundation Aspen Group Toni Besselaar Kathleen Bragdon & Marley Brown Nanette & Andrew Carr Susan & George Cubbon Erica & Timothy Davidson Rebecca Pitman & Douglas De Couto Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas Frog & Onion Pub Lady Gibbons Hilary & Peter Green Nancy Hannam Dr. Edward Cecil Harris Janet Kemp & Scott Hunter Thomas James Jardine Matheson Inter - national Services Limited Renaissance Reinsurance Susan & Scott Kitson

Sheila Nicoll & Stephen Lake Penne & Paul Leseur Julie & Garry Madeiros Paula & Michael Maguire Jean Anne & William Manuel Marsh Theresa & Robert Mason Elizabeth & Thomas Miller Betsy & Louis Mowbray Yuko & Hiro Nakajima Barbara & Bob O’Shea The Oil Group of Companies Orbis Investment Manage- ment Limited Sandra Outerbridge Margot Perot Nancy Perot Katherine & Eric Reeves Sacha & Eugene Simmons Rebecca Hanson & Colm Singleton Mariette & Mark Smith BW Group Roger Snape Ian V. Stevenson Rae Stone Elena Strong & Jeff Manson Sir John Swan Michael Tatem Thresh’s Thrash to the Dolomites Robin Arnold & Gordon Watts Sylvie & Alexander Werther Ann Durie Westerfield Rev Trust Judy & Keith White Diane & Bruce Wilkie Lieutenant ($500–$999) Philip Akeroyd Deborah Atwood Holly Anne & Michael Barany Christina & Roger Barth Kerry-Lou & Nolan Bell W. Frank Bohlen Liam G. Carroll Sue & Rob Cawthorn Matthew Claridge Mildred & Alex Cockburn Margaret Collis Heather & N. Thomas Conyers Margaret & P. Leslie Crane Jennifer Davidson Maria Cruz & Andrew Dias Cathy & Grant Gibbons, JP MP V. Annette & Michael Gilbert Anthony Goodfellow, KStJ Gosling Brothers Limited Marg & Ken Hammond Patricia & J. Henry Hayward Elizabeth P. Hutchings Barbara & W. Preston Hutchings James River Group Holdings Ltd. Christiana Skjodt-Knudsen & Lars Knudsen Pennie & Ken Lamb Judy & Adam Leseur Margaret Lloyd

Anthony Lumsden The MarketPlace Ltd. Janice & Duncan Moran Wendell & Ginger Smith Family Foundation Lyle Jeffrey Pash John Patton George Pierson Jazmin & Miguel Da Ponte Dale & David Rheault Pauline & Everard Richards Jen & Reid Robinson Ruth & John Sainsbury Duncan Scott Pamela & Ronald Shaw Barbara & Jan Spiering Jane & Richard Spurling Susan Fairhurst & Robert Stewart Susan & John Swift Rosemary & John Talbot Susan & Glenn Titterton Anna Kristina Varn & Robert Holden Karin & Chip Waters Ann Uppington & Henry Weil Midshipman (Up to $499) Anonymous Elodie Ali Mrs. & Dr. Chris Allington Elma Anfossi Cynthia Ashton Heidi & Horst Augustinovic Patricia & Edward Babor Sandra & John Barnett Velma Bean Katie Bennett & Ambrose Gosling Hope & John Berg Brenda Berman Jane & Andrew Bermingham Virginia & Jim Bernhard Jane Bielby Kurt B. Birrer Susan Black Chris Boerner & Crocker Bennett Joan & J. W. Bradford Anne & Norman Brown Ronald J. Burda Philippa E. Burke Oriel & Dennis Butterfield Gina Butterfield Antoinette & Richard Butz Samuel Buxton James Carpenter Elizabeth Z. Cart Linda & Francis Carter Jeanne & Les Center Gladys & Yves Chambaz Nancy & David Charlton Diana & Nigel Chudleigh Judie & Eric Clee Judy & John Collis Josephine & George Cook Mary & Walter Cook Susan & John Cooper Elisabeth & Neil Cooper Alexia & Scott Cooper Philip G. Copeland Pat & Anthony Correia

Debbie & Dudley Cottingham Linda & Martin Counsell Bermuda Monetary Authority Margot Cox Caitlin & Ross Curtis Elaine & Michael Darling Lee Davidson Rosamond & Edward Davis Connie Dey Bitten & Nicholas Dill Kim Dismont Robinson & J. J. Soares Jane Downing Elizabeth Downing Janice & Robert Duffy Janis & Charles Dunstan Meredith Ebbin Margot Reid & Bruce Elliott David Ezekiel Barbara & John Faiella Patricia & Frank Farmer Susannah Frith & Christian Luthi Crystal & Stuart Galloway Rosanne Galloway Ellen Gibbons Anthony Gorham Cathy & Charles Gosling Marva Grove Florence & Grant Hall Arthur Hamilt Linda & John Harris Joan Henehan Diane & Bengt Hermelin Jennifer & Ian Hind Ellen Hollis Lesley & Joseph Hoopes Jacqueline & Andrew Horsfield Betsey & Walwyn Hughes Mizzah & Kenneth Hunt Sheela & Brian Hyde Walta Jane Jackson Lauren & Michael Judd Rudite & Jens Juul Roxana & John Kaufmann Jill & Stephen Kempe Pamela Kempe Joseph Korotie Fay & Michael Leseur Lorraine & Ron Lucas Brian Malpas Marian Manuel Mrs. & Mr. Allen Mardis Lesley & Charles Marshall Jeanne Masters Norah McDanial Victoria & Richard McGlynn Meg Hogan & Terrance McGovern Beverley McLean Janet & Philip Merriss Jeanne Gardner & David Miller Mary Kate & Herbert Miller Tyler Moniz Elizabeth & John Moore Catherine Moriarty Samantha & Richard Morris Ann & Robert Murphy Helen & Frank Mutch NMB Staff

Janet Olt Madree & John Orridge Sylvia & Eugene Outerbridge Janet Owner Ethel Patterson Eleanor & John Perkins Marijke & George Peterich Judith Pitt Robert Power Olwen Price Gloria & Edward Rego Anna Marie & William Remmert Lauren & Mark Rheault Gilda & J. Sinclair Richards Tassanee & Robert Ricketts Mary & Peter Rockefeller Mary Saunders Janice & Tony Saunders Rosemary & Peter Savage Ru-Zelda Severin Jeannette & George Shaw Merle & Robert Sheen Cecille & Lionel Simmons Sue & Peter Simons Sallie & Derek Singleton Ray and Audrey Smith Total Marketing and Communications Limited Michael Spurling & Michael Whittal Allan Steynor Marie & Kenneth Stone Charlotte & Benjamin Sullivan Walking Club of Bermuda Joan Lee Taplin Teresa Chatfield & Simon Templeman Elyna & Alun Thomas John Tomasiewicz Barbara Trollope Mack Truax Anne & Robert Tucker Elaine & John Tunbridge Francis Vallis Jill Virgil-Smith & Corin Smith Janet & Bruce Wallace Andrew Wallace Debbie Walsh-Brown Kristy Warren Pauline & James Watlington Penny Watlington Ronica L. Watlington Katherine & Peter Watson Margaret Weale Susan & Nick Weare Andrea Webb Mary Whittemore Nea Willits Malcolm Wilson Gretchen Wilson Stella & William Winstanley Catherine & Peter Woolf Patricia & Colin Young Erna & Michael Young Katherine & Cummings Zuill

We aplogise for any

errors or omissions

l Annual Appeal


l Photography

Grundy kids shoot to thrill

Bermuda Wildlife/Nature

Caiden Millet, Somersfield Academy, WINNER

Marcus DaCosta, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, WINNER

Reilly Durfy, Saltus Grammar School, RUNNER-UP

Mia Hazlewood, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, RUNNER-UP

Alisa K. M. Lightbourne, Somerset Primary School, RUNNER-UP

Jaylen Basden, Heron Bay Primary School, WINNER

15–18

15–18

7–10

7–10

11–14 11–14

BEST in

SHOW

In 2019 the Museum and Joy Grundy invited local students to enter the new Dr. Reg Grundy Annual Youth

Photography Competition. It was an opportunity for the next generation of photographers to demonstrate their appreciation for Bermuda’s natural and cultural environment in memory of Dr. Grundy, who died in 2016. Open to all local photography enthusiasts aged 7–18, the competition asked students to photograph a theme

of interest—Bermuda Life, Bermuda Buildings or Bermuda Wildlife/Nature—using a smart phone or digital camera. Submissions were judged by Antoine Hunt, photographer and artist; Dr. Deborah Atwood, NMB Curator, and Chinni Mahadevan, the Reg Grundy Photographic Libraries Curator. Prizes included Iron Kids accounts at Clarien Bank, gift certificates at Phoenix Stores, and a Canon EOS rebel T7 DSLR

camera, which was awarded to the Best in Show winner. In addition to individual prizes, Heron Bay Primary, the school with the most submissions, received a $1,500 gift certificate for A. F. Smith’s. • This year’s winners are currently on display at Commissioner’s House and all finalists are featured on our website at https://nmb.bm/rg-photo-competition/ photo-competition-finalists/ and will be featured in our next issue of MARITimes.

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Bermuda Buildings

Bermuda Life

Ori Shrem, Somersfield Academy, WINNER

Christiano Hizon, West Pembroke Primary RUNNER-UP

Starr Bowen, BHS, RUNNER-UP

Tre’sure Nanette, James Madison High School (homeschool), WINNER

Seri Fisher, Warwick Academy, WINNER

Genevieve Lau, BHS, RUNNER-UP

Shanya Simmons, Warwick Academy, WINNER

Schuyler Young, Somersfield Academy, WINNER

D’Jae Gilbert, CedarBridge Academy, RUNNER-UP

Tegan Gannon-Trott, Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, RUNNER-UP

Arima Turner, BHS, WINNER

7–10

7–10

15–18

15–18

15–18 7–10

7–10

11–14

11–14 15–18

11–14

11–14

Lara Nicholson Pavkovic, Warwick Academy, RUNNER-UP

l Education

Our burgeoning Education Depart-ment has been identifying core audiences and developing new

programming to serve local teachers and schools; youth and families; and lifelong learners. We aim to show that Bermuda’s history is far more than a collection of dates, historic events and objects and we intend to deepen understanding of Bermuda’s unique role in global events

and in the shaping of our identities. In March, NMB’s Moving the Needle Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme began. The innovative programme provides training for public and private local educators on how to incorporate local history into classrooms and promote critical and creative thinking. The first workshop session was in person held at Commissioner’s House and

transitioned to webinar format in response to the pandemic. To date, NMB has hosted four webinars with over 120 teachers from both public and private schools participating live. With record-ings and materials made available online and our partnership with Department of Education, the potential audience reach is much higher. In the programme, local educators explore, refine and unpack their under-standing of Bermuda’s diverse past in a distinctly “Atlantic World” context and experiment with multi-disciplinary approaches to history to help respond to the needs of modern students. Moving the Needle links primary, middle and high school social studies/Bermuda studies curricula with current research; makes history relevant and accessible using inquiry-based lectures and interactive workshops; and results in a deeper sense of historical knowledge and pride of place. After each workshop, teachers receive user-friendly lesson unit plans and resources created by NMB to help bring history to life in the classroom. Much of the TPD is based on the Reading Like a Historian curriculum produced by the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG)—an award-winning research development group that provides methods to improve education. This method engages students in historical inquiry and teaches them how to investigate historical questions. Using local primary sources, students learn Bermuda history and how to evaluate evidence and explore multiple perspectives. “Teachers are excited about the way forward, getting resources, collaborating with each other and hopeful that finally Bermuda history is considered important.”

—Sandys Middle School Educator “I am already thinking about ways how to implement this process with my third-graders. I love the element of debate, of having students share opinions and being able to express their thoughts and respectfully listen to the thoughts of others.”

—Teacher participant


We’re moving the needle on education

Pre-pandemic: the first in-person TPD workshop held at Commissioner’s House

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The Early Years Programme upcomingOur student-specif ic programming is designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking and create positive museum-based learning experiences that will begin as early as pre-school, continue through high school and into university. Lisa Howie, NMB Director of Learning & Engagement, along with two local education specialists, shares more about just one of NMB’s many pilot programmes being rolled out: an innovative collaborative project that targets Bermuda’s earliest learners. By Lisa Howie, Ru-Zelda Severin & Dawnette Simons

Many locals will recall the “little blue book” of Bermuda’s history: a quaint illustrated short text that

documented several aspects of Island culture, including early settlement. For many, this was the introductory text to Bermuda’s history taught in primary school. Today we have the opportunity to move the needle on the study of Bermuda’s history: to develop educational components that support and enrich the school curriculum and to go further by creating entirely new learning engage-ments. Such is the case for the upcoming NMB Early Years Programme (EYP). The programme is designed for early learners in pre-school and Primary 1. Why? Simply because the earlier we can introduce stories about who we are, how we got here, and who did what and why, the better. Knowing who we are—a directive of global acceptance—can apply to our youngest population, for whom the world of learning is a giant ball of questions. Children are natural archaeologists: exploring, digging, examining closely, tasting, asking endless questions, and often challenging adult knowledge banks. The EYP, through an inquiry process, responds to children’s quizzical nature. To design the programme, NMB Director of Learning & Engagement Lisa Howie reached out to an expert in early education, Bermuda College Senior Lecturer Ru-Zelda Severin, who is also an NMB Trustee and Deputy Chair of the Board of Education. She

suggested that we shape a special topics course that would embrace the intentions of the EYP. Plus, we should include expert early years educator Dawnette Simons, who is also the Pre-school Teacher Leader at St. David’s Pre-school. The Design Team Equation for EYP:

power pair on early education + museum educator + aspiring early childhood educators = cross-generational investigative collaborators

All was dedicated to the challenge of simultaneously creating a Bermuda College course and the foundation for a National Museum programme. Thanks to Tammy Richardson, the Dean of the Division of Arts & Science, we were given permission to design a course in reverse: to build the lessons moving backwards from the envisioned outcome. As a collective group of students and teachers, we became historians and dived deeply into our local history, hypothesised about new discoveries, shared rigorous discourse about content

and developmentally appropriate methods for early learners. The Bermuda College course facilitated the vision of the “Museum in a Box” experience, an early learners interactive, inquiry-based curriculum that literally comes out of a box. The specific topic is early settlement c. 1600–20: exploring Bermuda’s role in the Atlantic prior to 1609; the significance of the Sea Venture shipwreck; the Plough delivery of the Island’s first Governor and settlers; and the development of our first community. Some elements of learning will happen at school sites followed by a Museum experience. Finally there will be continued learning in classrooms. The content and method of instruction will enable early learners to develop a sense of place; a foundation for understanding Bermuda as a home with its own unique history. The Bermuda College course, “Museum in a Box: Crafting Atlantic World History Narratives,” is a cornerstone for future iterations and collaborations. We are f inalising the design details to prepare for testing. We look forward to sharing our progress.

Students modelling a painting exercise for the early learners inquiry-based method


Farewell to Museum’s good friendsSadly, over the past few months we have lost several long-time friends of the Museum and we offer our condolences to their families and friends. Philip Akeroyd Former NMB Trustee Philip Akeroyd was a great friend to the Museum, most recently sponsoring the publication of The Sphinx of Inverurie. Thanks to his generosity, we were able to give every Museum member a copy of this fine example of Dr. Edward Harris’s tenacious appetite for investigating even the more obscure corners of history. Philip will be greatly missed. Edward A. “Ed” Chappell Architectural historian, preservationist and great friend of the Museum, Edward A. “Ed” Chappell Jr. first visited Bermuda some 30 years ago and over that time contributed greatly to the recording and understanding of our unique architectural heritage. We are forever indebted to him for his incredible legacy of work. Anthony Eugene “Gene” DeSilva Former Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) and Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Bermuda Regiment and

former NMB volunteer Gene DeSilva worked alongside NMB Facilities Manager Andrew Harris and took care of our Museum boat for many years. Nicholas B. Dill Nicholas B. Dill and his wife, Bitten, have been loyal supporters of NMB for decades. Just last year, he visited the Museum to donate his grandfather's journal from 1924. Major Tom Dill, as he then was, wrote about his journey retracing areas in France where he fought in the First World War, which started for him when he left Bermuda in command of the Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) in 1916. This journal fills an important gap in the Museum’s collection and is just one example of how the Dill family contributed to Bermuda and the Museum. Helen Fraser Helen leaves behind a significant mark on the Museum and Bermuda. The Fraser family’s generous support of Bermuda’s cultural heritage and arts sector and unstinting support of the Museum will never be forgotten. Among other projects, Helen and her husband Richard were major sponsors of the Hall of History mural in Commissioner’s House. Fay Elliott With her husband Geoffrey, Fay donated a number of rare books to the Museum’s collections, and very generously also gave NMB permission to use images from

the Fay & Geoffrey Elliott Collection of rare 19th-Century watercolours of Bermuda in our publications and exhibits. Fay’s extensive research on their collection and the Elliotts’ generosity also allowed us to display selections from their collection in a number of temporary exhibits over the years. Brian Malpas The Museum was saddened to learn of the death of Brian Malpas, a legacy diver and Museum supporter. Brian worked on an early 16th-Century site on Western Ledge Reef with his diving partner Donald Canton in the 1960s and ’70s, finding a rich collection of 16th-Century artifacts, including cannons and swivel guns which were donated to the Museum. In 1988, Malpas and Canton allowed the Museum to obtain a licence to record, retrieve and study the associated structural remains, a project of inter national interest which shed light on Iberian shipbuilding. More recently, he allowed NMB to record his collection, and donated a study collection of ceramics from the site. He also loaned some important items to the Museum which can be seen on display in the Shipwreck Island exhibit.

l People

l The Museum was awarded the Best of Bermuda 2019 award for Wedding Reception Location (Commissioner’s House) and Best of Bermuda 2020 award for Museum. We also ranked 15th in Virgin Holiday’s Best Caribbean Experiences list for 2019.

SNIPPETS

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l People

Staff, volunteers and interns updateAnnie Ahn joined the Curatorial department as part of our internship programme in partnership with Colby College in Waterville, ME. Ahn, a senior majoring in history and Global Studies assisted with research, exhibit installation, and education and conservation projects. Farewell to Communications Assistant Risa Hunter, who is now Assistant Director at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. A former HR manager, she left the corporate world to pursue a career in museums and joined NMB last year to gain practical experience in the field while undertaking an MA in Museum Studies at Harvard University. We thank Risa for all of her hard work and wish her the best in her new role. We said goodbye to oral history specialist and NMB volunteer David Meyer, who has been collecting personal stories of local war veterans for the Museum’s oral history collection for the past eight years. Before moving to Bermuda he worked on the Library of Congress Veteran History Project, travelling across the US to military reunion groups to record personal interviews. His experience and skills interviewing veterans has resulted in a substantial collection documenting the memories and stories of our Bermuda veterans. David and his wife Cynthia have embarked on a new adventure in Cyprus.

Annie Ahn, right, helps with the Slavery exhibit with Andy Wallace and Andrew Harris

Most people know the import ance of creating a valid will. Knowing your estate will be distributed as you wish brings comfort to you and your loved ones. Even a small estate can make a significant impact on your favourite charitable organisation. If you haven’t already, I hope you will consider adding the National Museum to your

legacy giving plan. As a recipient of MARITimes, you are already interested in NMB, and we would be grateful to receive any amount you are able to give. This will help us continue our work to preserve the Island’s largest historical and cultural institution for future generations, and the publication, exhibition, and preservation of Bermuda’s

heritage. Your legacy gift will ensure we continue to under-stand our past to inform our future. For more information about making a legacy gift or if you have already included NMB in your will and have questions, contact me at [email protected] or 234-1333, ext. 9108.

—Katie Bennett,

Advancement Officer

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGACY GIVING

Virtual volunteers sign up While under lockdown many people were looking for fun and interesting projects to get involved with. With the Museum closed, our regular volunteer and internship programmes were suspended, but our digital volunteer programme, launched last year, became one of our most popular remote activities. Former interns and volunteers and interested members of the public reached out from all over the world to get

involved and assist the Museum as virtual helpers. The response has been overwhelming and thanks to the efforts of our virtual volunteers we now have transcriptions of maritime activities referenced in The Royal Gazette from 1784–1805. Welcome to new digital volunteers Susanne Nangle, Rossina Sink, Kevan Perry, Lucas Kessaram, Autumn Martinez, Jeff Finegan, Carly McQueen, Mesha Payne, Emily Davis and Olivia Adderley.

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E X P L O R ED I S C O V E R P L U N G E I M M E R S E J O I N N M B

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2020 vol 33 - nmb.bm

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