Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
partition), stained-glass windows, and ornate carvings. If you have the stamina, climb
the 157 steps to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the City of Hamilton
and the harbor.
Church St.
&
441/292-4033.
www.anglican.bm. Free admission to cathedral; admission to cathedral
tower $3 adults, $2 children 6 and under and seniors 65 and over. Cathedral daily 8am-5pm and for Sun
services; tower Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.
Hamilton City Hall & Arts Centre
The City Hall, also home of the
Bermuda
Society of Arts,
is an imposing white structure with a giant weather vane and wind
clock to tell maritime-minded Bermudians which way the wind is blowing. Com-
pleted in 1960, the building is the seat of the City of Hamilton's municipal govern-
ment. The theater on the first floor books stage, music, and dance productions
throughout the year, and is the main site of the Bermuda Festival. The Bermuda
National Gallery (see above) is also here.
Since 1956, the Bermuda Society of Arts has encouraged, and provided a forum
for, contemporary artists, sculptors, and photographers. Its gallery, with ever-changing
exhibitions, displays the work of local and visiting artists.
17 Church St.
&
441/292-1234
or 441/292-3824. Free admission to City Hall and Bermuda Society of
Arts. City Hall Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-noon; Bermuda Society of Arts Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.
Perot Post Office
Bermuda's first stamp was printed in this landmark building.
Beloved by collectors from all over the world, the stamps—signed by William Bennett
Perot, Bermuda's first postmaster—are priceless. It's said that Perot and his friend J. B.
Heyl, who ran an apothecary, conceived the first postage stamp to protect the post
office from cheaters. People used to stop off at the post office and leave letters, but not
enough pennies to send them. The postage stamps were printed in black or carmine.
Philatelists can purchase contemporary Bermuda stamps here. For its 375th anni-
versary, Bermuda issued a series of stamps honoring its discovery in 1609. One stamp
portrays the admiral of the fleet, Sir George Somers, along with Sir Thomas Gates,
the captain of the
Sea Venture.
Another depicts the settlement of Jamestown, Vir-
ginia, which was on the verge of extinction when Sir George and the survivors of the
Bermuda shipwreck finally arrived with supplies late in 1610. A third shows the
Sea
Venture
stranded on the coral reefs of Bermuda. Yet another shows the entire fleet,
originally bound for Jamestown, leaving Plymouth, England, on June 2, 1609.
Queen St., at the entrance to Par-la-Ville Park.
&
441/292-9052
or 441/295-5151. Free admission.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Sessions House
This Italian Renaissance-style structure was originally built in
1819. Its clock tower, added in 1887, commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Queen
Victoria. The House of Assembly meets on the second floor from November to May,
and visitors are permitted in the gallery. Call ahead to find out when meetings are
scheduled. On the lower level, the chief justice presides over the Supreme Court.
21 Parliament St.
&
441/292-7408.
Free admission. Daily 9am-12:30pm and 2-6pm.
7
DEVONSHIRE PARISH
If you're passing through Devonshire, consider a stop at the following attractions.
Old Devonshire Parish Church
The Old Devonshire Parish Church is believed
to have been built on this site in 1624, although the present foundation dates from
