Often referred to as Springfield Mansion, the magnificent historical building is now a community centre and library, and was acquired by the Bermuda National Trust as part of the Gilbert Nature Reserve in 1973.

Springfield is in Somerset, part of the Parish of Sandy’s which lies at the western part of Bermuda. The Mansion is important for its Bermudian slave heritage as well as the archaeological history that the grounds of the mansion offer. Indeed, the whole site has been a live archaeological spot since 1994 and has been worked on for some time with mixed fortunes in terms of unearthing artefacts that provide detailed information on how people – in every class of – lived in years gone by.

The buildings and ground comprise of the main house, courtyard, a large buttery and slave quarters as well as several acres of farmland. The size and scope of the buildings and land indicated that the area was perhaps a plantation and findings from digs have proven as much.

Since 1994, the Bermuda National Trust has undertaken various archaeological digs at the site in association with the Department of Archaeological Research at Colonial Williamsburg.

As well as using the site to uncover Bermuda’s past, the building and gardens are in restoration in order to preserve it for future generations.

The mansion was a dwelling from 1671 to as recent as the 1960s – albeit in a very rundown state during the sixties – and was the property of the Hinson Gilberts family and their home for hundreds of years. A genealogy search will show a long family history in Bermuda and involvement in many goings-on in Bermuda that include a very diverse family, slavery, business and trade, and religion.

Excavations by the Bermuda National Trust and The Colonial Williamsburg have found that the family were very wealthy and had prominent dealings in slavery. They said:

“The architectural and archaeological records reflect the development of a prominent and wealthy West End family over several centuries. The site also bears witness to the lives of the people held as slaves by the Gilberts. At one point, as many as 19 men, women and children serving the Gilberts as domestics, masons, labourers, pilots and boatmen lived at Springfield. One of the outbuildings has been identified as a “slave quarter” and archaeology is being used to study materials from this structure alongside those from the main house. “

Artefacts extracted from the grounds include some as far back as the seventeenth century while many others, disappointingly, have been as recent as the 1950s and 60s, which the digging team had hope to be of far greater age. The site is being systematically excavated and every dig points to new information and suggests where to concentrate efforts next.

In the yard of the house alone, over 80 large bags of artefacts have been recovered alone. One of the setbacks of the project is that the so-called ‘slave quarters’ of the house – a dwelling that the name inexplicably denotes – have been ‘disturbed’ during an attempted renovation in the fifties and, therefore, is tainted in terms of its artefacts.

Work on uncovering the history of this national landmark continues and some of the land is off-limits to the general public. However there are many parts of the building including the library that can be visited.

Springfield Library in Bermuda

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Springfield Library in Bermuda – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles’ Things To Do in Bermuda series!

The original Carriage House Museum was located in Water Street, St. George’s Town, and is now a restaurant in the lovely seafront boutique shopping area at Somer’s Wharf. You can find it directly across from the Tucker House Museum.

The Museum stood for decades as homage to the long-standing form of transport before automobiles and scooters arrived en masse to the Island. The restaurant’s architecture still features some artefacts of the museum – the whereabouts of the rest of the collection of the former Museum are unknown. The interior of the building and original structure are still in excellent condition.

Until the 1940s, horses and the carriages were the main forms of transport allowed in Bermuda, due to its narrow roads and carriageways. Anyone who could afford a horse-drawn carriage did, which was mainly the wealthy or those that had to forgo other possessions or luxuries in order to run and maintain one. During the 1940s and in to the 50s, a huge proportion of these disappeared as people replace them with cars, vans, trucks and bikes – whether the island’s roads infrastructure could handle them or not (and ultimately, as it turns out, couldn’t, hence the reason why tourists and visitors to the island can’t rent an automobile).

The Carriage Museum sprung up in order to preserve the history of the transport mode and survived for many years before succumbing to funding issues and the building was adopted for private enterprise.

The 18^th century brick-vaulted Museum building housed a great collection of wagons and carriages including beautiful broughams, phaetons before closure.

The building was restored and refurbished as part of a mass refurbishment on the waterfront at Somer’s Wharf and the Carriage House restaurant has now adopted the building, which has a stunning garden patio with amazing views over the harbour to the sea.

Today, you can experience what life was like in Bermuda during the horse and carriage era by taking a tour or excursion from King’s Square in St. George’s. It’s an excellent way to see St. George’s as well as many other parts of ‘old Bermuda’. Prices start around $50.

If that isn’t for you, why not pop in to the Carriage Museum Restaurant for lunch or dinner and to enjoy the history of the former Carriage House Museum. The restaurant offers a great variety for all the family. Lunch offers the usual affair of tasty sandwiches, soups and burgers among its delights. The exquisite dinner menu includes a choice of succulent prime ribs, rack of lamb and fish chowder as well as pastas, lobster, steak and vegetarian dishes.

Carriage House Museum in Bermuda

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Carriage House Museum in Bermuda – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles’ Things To Do in Bermuda series!

Bermuda is a beautiful place which has inspired several artists, locals or foreigners who passed some time here, some choosing to stay and live on the island.

Amongst the most famous Bermudian artists is Alfred Birdsey, a painter whose impressionistic paintings of Bermuda’s landscapes earned him an international reputation. Rosecote, in Paget, is the home and studio of Bermudian artist Alfred Birdsey, set up in the back garden of his family home and where he worked from 1968 to his death in 1996.

This is where the painter used to welcome visitors and treat them to a cup of tea and a chat, whether they came to buy his art or just to meet him and the place where he was working. His daughter Jo Birdsey-Linberg has decided to keep the tradition alive and knows like her father how to make her visitors feel at home.

The paintings of Alfred Birdsey played an important part in changing the way Bermuda was seen abroad and became regular additions to many collections around the world. Alfred Birdsey is most known for his impressionistic representations of the island landscapes, harbours, boats, backstreets,seascapes, homes and bays. Some of the paintings also have an asian influence.

The particularity of Alfred Birdsey is that he was for most of the second half of the 20th century the only modernist artist residing in Bermuda. It is thought that he started painting at the age of 16, in 1927 and that he was entirely self-taught.

Some of his most renowned work is certainly the sailboat artwork that was used for the promotion of the America’s Cup when it sails from Newport to Bermuda. You can find note cards representing the work of Alfred Birdsey at his studio of Rosecote, and soon a book by his daughter Jo Birdsey-Linberg will commemorate his life’s work.

The studio of Rosecote, Paget his open to the public most weekdays between 10.30am and 1pm, but it is better to make an appointment if you want to be sure that Jo is there and that she will be able to spend some time with you. You will find Rosecote on Stowe Hill, at a convenient distance from Hamilton City and accessible by the bus route number 8 or even better, by scooter.

After you arrived at the front of the house, follow the path on the left that leads to the back garden. There, you will find the studio surrounded by a delightful décor of roses, cacti, lilies and paw-paw trees.

Alfred Birdsey’s daughter worked for him during many years up to his death and she now carries on with the family tradition in the studio of Rosecote, Paget. She celebrates Bermuda in her paintings dominated by nautical themes and breezy watercolour landscapes. She is also renowned for her whimsical animal portraits. Her work has been exhibited in New York and is part of many collections around the world, such as in the UK, Scandinavian and European countries.Her work can be bought at the studio of Rosecote, with watercolours costing $80 while oil paintings range between $400 and $900.

Rosecote, Paget in Bermuda

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Rosecote, Paget – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles’ Things To Do in Bermuda series!

Bermuda is well known for its luxurious resorts and its amazing beaches covered of pink sand and bordered by turquoise water. But not everyone knows that Bermuda is the only place where the Hasty Pudding Theatricals are staged outside the United States.

This company that started as a secret society in 1795 has been touring Bermuda since the early 1960?s. It is always coming here during Spring Break. The next time will be in March 17th to 19th 2012 with a show called “There Will be Blood”.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals took their name from the tradition put in place by the first 21 students who created the club in 1795 to bring one after the other a hasty pudding to every meeting. What started as a secret campus society evolved when a mock criminal court was incorporated to the meetings. The first Hasty Pudding show came in 1844 when a member, Lemuel Hayward, secretly produced an opera, Bomabastes Furioso, instead of the mock trial.

It never stopped from then, except during the two World War, and the 2012 production will be the 164th one. Since the 1860?s the show are written by students and have kept the burlesque aspect they had since the first opera. Actors are only men who play both male and female roles but women are not excluded from the Hasty Pudding. They are in fact involve in all parts of the show except playing.

Each year, there is a new show written and it runs in February and March, with a 5-week run in Harvard, then onto New-York City and Bermuda only. The Hasty Pudding 2012?s production follows the tradition of the other ones with an exuberant storyline and some crazy names while being pertinent and treating of contemporary concerns.

The characters of “There Will be Flood” are space cowgirl Lauren Forcement, half-witted caveman Homer Erectus, uninspired cave painter Zach Rebleu, biblical false prophet Isaiah Littleprayer, chubby cherub Angela Foodcake, desperate dinosaur Tyra Nassaurus, the Bible’s first woman Eve Olution and loco Mayan deity Paco Lips.

The Bermuda Hasty Pudding Theatricals always are a great moment since it is the only opportunity for anyone outside the United States. to see this legendary theatrical company and one of the oldest still in the world still touring. Many members of the university troupe went onto being famous in different fields, not just theatre. Some of the most well known members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals are Theodore Roosevelt (club secretary in 1876), Franklin D. Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan, William Randolph Hearst or Jack Lemmon.

There are of course many Pudding graduates who have become leaders in theatre, film, television and other arts, whether as writers, producers, directors or performers.

The Hasty Pudding society is also famous for its annual nominations of actors as Woman of the Year since 1951 and as Man of the Year since 1967. These nominations brought the society onto the international stage. Last year, Julianne Moore and Jay Leno succeeded at Anne Hathaway and Justin Timberlake – with Woman of the Year for 2012 being recently announced as Claire Danes.

It is possibly the only award ceremony where the honorees have always attended!

The tour of the Bermuda Hasty Pudding Theatricals is sponsored by the Bermuda’s Department of Tourism and the production staged at the City Hall and Arts Centre of Hamilton. Tickets are usually $25.

Bermuda Hasty Pudding 2012 - www.hastypudding.org

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Bermuda Hasty Pudding 2012 – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles’ Things To Do in Bermuda series!

If you don’t know this already, art is very important in the history of Bermuda and is still very much alive today.

The competition for the People’s Choice best artist award was animated and the winner 2011 is contemporary artist Graham Foster. The 41-year-old Bermudian artist is well-known for his detailed paintings of Bermuda’s inhabitants, fish, flora and fauna.

His biggest and probably most famous piece of art is the huge mural ‘The Hall of History’ of the National Museum of Bermuda (formerly known as the Bermuda Maritime Museum). Measuring 1,000 square foot and spread along two storeys, the piece illustrates five centuries of the island’s history and took about three and a half years, or 7,000 hours, to be achieved. The Hall of History was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on November 2005, on which occasion she was given a painting by Graham Foster called ‘The Wreck of the Sea Venture’ depicting the event that lead to the creation of Bermuda.

His first love was sculpture in which he focused during his studies at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. The initial lack of space when he returned to Bermuda meant that he turned to painting. His style has two faces. One is mainly surreal and makes use of bold colours and humorous elements to create the vision of his beloved native Bermuda. When he doesn’t paint the island, he uses a more expressionist style to create pieces that draw their inspiration from dreams and the subconscious.

Professional artist since 1995, Graham Foster got back to sculpture, more accurately steel welding, in 2000 after he found a bigger studio. In sculpture as well, his style is influenced by the island and its surrounding ocean. The marine life inspired his first welding series called Frankenstein Fish, steel fishes covered in spine and warts.

He then developed an interest for blacksmithing and used this technique in his next project heavily influenced by tribal art, another important aspect of the Bermudian culture. The triptych he produced was what he imagined tribes could have created if they have had access to these techniques. It was a success and the ’21^st Century Fetish Family’ became the first work of a Bermudian artist to be bought for the permanent collection of The Bermuda National Gallery.

Although not many can afford to buy any of the artist’s sculpture, the many themed paintings Graham Foster undertake each year are turned into lithographic prints which are printed and titled and can be bought. He has solo exhibitions that can be seen at the Masterworks Foundation and the Ace Gallery, as well as having shown his work many times at the editions of the Bermuda National Gallery biennial exhibition.

Graham Foster work is also part of private collections such as those of The Bermuda Anglican Cathedral, The Bank of Bermuda, Ace Insurance, Bausch and Lombe New York, Bermuda Commercial Bank, The Masterworks Foundation and Allianz Re. It is fair to say that he is not only the best artist, as recognised by the People’s Choice Award from The Bermudian, but also the most known of the island’s artists. His art, whether it is sculpture or painting, is an homage to Bermuda, its people, its nature and its heritage.

Graham Foster Bermuda – P.O. Box FL510, Flatts, FLBX; 01441 799 9126; http://www.grahamfoster.com

Graham Foster Bermuda – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles - ‘Things to do in Bermuda’ series!

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Dusty Hind - Founder Of Bermuda's Jabulani Repertory Company

The Jabulani Repertory Company,  based at the Hamilton Princess in Bermuda, is one of the most highly regarded theatre companies on the Island.

It has been on the pinacle of theatre since its formation, back in 1993. The company has staged many wonderful, important productions and is the toast of the theatre word in Bermuda.

If you appreciate  top quality acting, writing and set design, then taking in a performance is a must. They offer an unforgettable evening out for residents and tourists alike and help you lose yourself in the wonder of the theatre.

The Jabulani Repertory Company was the brainchild of  Dusty Hind, who was a leading light in the theatre scene in the 1990s. He produced over 20 shows for The Jabulani Repertory Company, and is a huge part of the colourful history and tradition that built this rep company’s rep.

It’s always a good show, when you experience a production of the Jabulani Repertory Company in  Bermuda.

The Jabulani Repertory Company, Bermuda – Part of Elbow Beach Cycles ‘Things To Do’ in Bermuda series!

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*Photo Courtesy Of www.crissonandhind.com/

The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard is the place to experience the exciting, ever changing world of art from in and around the Island. 

It covers the constantly evolving artistic landscape of Bermuda. The exhibitions are amended and refined every six weeks, guaranteeing it is always on the cutting edge of local art. Tourists and locals alike can savour the finest works of art the region has to offer.

Located on the Dockyard in the west of Bermuda, the Art Centre boasts a multitude of artistic styles and displays, including classical watercolours. It is also famous for its  many ‘Themed’ exhibits, prividing home grown artists a platform to experiment with different mediums and subjects. All under the guidance of The Arts Centre.

If you would like to know more about the vast spectrum of art works on display, then contact the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard.

Maritime Lane, Dockyard
Phone: +1 441 234 2809

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Would you like to experience the beauty of art and culture while on holiday? Then make a stop at The Bermuda National Gallery.

The premises in Hamilton City hall on Church Street are filled with fascinating exhibits. Walk through the ground floor of City Hall and take those huge cedar stairs to the second floor. This is the site of the Bermuda National Gallery. This is where you can gaze upon the beautiful artwork, from the island and around the world.

This celebration of visual art has been captivating visitors since its opening almost 20 years ago; in 1992. You could spend all day viewing the extraordinary paintings on display. The gallery houses a number of long term collections, many reflecting island history.

The Bermuda National Gallery features the work of modern artists and classical European painters. The gallery is also committed to photography. It has a range of black and white pictures by a prominent local artist. That is not to mention a line of prints denoting contemporary African-American existence. The Bermuda National Gallery has an amazing selection of sculptures and masks, be it ceremonial or historical, from Africa. This gives you an idea of the diverse exhibits on display.

The gallery is home to numerous short term art shows. This is along with a series of events throughout the year. There are interesting artist’s seminars, workshops and lectures at the gallery. That is to say nothing of holding receptions, dinner parties, film screenings and jazz nights, to name but a few.

There is so much to see at The Bermuda National Gallery. Why not take a guided tour of free of charge? They are held every Thursday morning.

The Bermuda National Gallery – Part of “Things To Do In Bermuda!”

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The Bermuda Botanical Gardens is not only a hub of horticultural beauty. This prime tourist site also houses one of the finest collections of art on the island.

It is the magnificent Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on South Road in Paget Parish.  

The museum is the work of The Masterworks Foundation in Bermuda. This is a non profit body. It has accumulated art inspired by the island, and (or) is the work of local artists, since 1987.  The foundation took possession of a previous arrow foot factory in 2008. The building had been standing for a century and a half. It was converted it into an enormous art centre. It is comprised of three museums. They utilize a land mass of 16,000 square feet to exhibit this extensive art collection.

The collection numbers in excess of 1200. These range from a choice of masterpieces; paintings, portraits, drawings and sketches. There are excellent examples of map making and photography. This is alongside an assortment of souvenirs and mementos of Bermuda. Visitors may also view works of art from important painters associated with the island. These range from Winslow Homer seascapes to Ogden Pleissner’s watercolours. This is in addition to showing Georgia O’Keeffe’s pictures of Bermuda, dating back to the thirties. This is a notion of the vast spectrum of artwork on display

The Butterfield Family Gallery is the most prominent of the galleries making up The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Tourists can also visit the Richard Faries Gallery. It bears the name of the former chairman of the foundation.  The third gallery is known as the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Mezzanine Gallery. The exhibits are constantly updated; changing twice a year. There is always something new to see.

Get to Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art - Part of Elbow Beach Cycles ‘Things To Do’ in Bermuda series!

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The St Georges Historical Society Museum is one of the longest standing, most durable buildings on the island of Bermuda.

It is located at Featherbed Alley in St. George.  This distinctive structure was constructed around 1730. The property started out as a private residence called Mitchell House. It once belonged to Isabella and William Archer.  They were a wealthy black couple whom kept slaves and owned a profitable restaurant visited by military personnel called The Gun Tavern. But their former home has been the domain of the Historical Society of St. George’s since 1922. It has been a museum ever since.

This greatly admired tourist destination is frequented by those fascinated with the past. This exhibit shows visitors what Bermuda was like in colonial times the museum keeps items used in the home in the 1700s. This is as well as having articles indigenous to Bermuda.  These include a letter written by the first President of the United States George Washington. This is in addition to having cutters used on whale blubber. It is as well as axe heads, and a Bible which has survived for three centuries. The museum illustrates how a kitchen was run in the colonial era. It has an excellent selection of utensils, dipping gourds and palmetto baskets to name but a few.

The museum also shows how printing was carried out in those days. There are printing presses from the period as well as old newspapers and archives. This is merely an idea of the many wonderful exhibits this amazing museum has on display.

St Georges Historical Society Museum In Bermuda - Part of Elbow Beach Cycles ‘Things To Do’ in Bermuda series!

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