Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
utensils from that period. Other exhibits include a 300-year-old Bible, a letter from
George Washington, and Native American ax heads. Some early settlers on St.
David's Island were Native Americans, mainly Pequot.
Duke of Kent St.
&
441/297-0423.
www.stgeorgesfoundation.org. Admission $5 adults, $2 children 12
and under. Apr-Nov 15 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm; Nov 16-Mar Wed 10am-4pm.
St. Peter's Church
From King's Square, head east to Duke of York Street,
where you'll find St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican place of worship in the
Western Hemisphere. Colonists built the original church in 1612 almost entirely of
cedar, with a palmetto-leaf thatched roof. A hurricane in 1712 almost destroyed it
completely. Some of the interior, including the original altar from 1615 (still used
daily), was salvaged, and the church was rebuilt in 1713. It has been restored many
times since, providing excellent examples of the architectural styles of the 17th to the
20th century. The tower was added in 1814. Before the Old State House was built,
the colony held public meetings in the church. The first assize (legislative assembly)
convened here in 1616, and the first meeting of Parliament was held in 1620. The
church holds Sunday and weekday services.
Some of the tombstones in the Graveyard of St. Peter's (entrance opposite Broad
Alley) are more than 3 centuries old; many tombs mark the graves of slaves. Here
you'll find the grave of Midshipman Richard Dale, an American who was the last
victim of the War of 1812. The churchyard also holds the tombs of Gov. Sir Richard
Sharples and his aide, Capt. Hugh Sayers, who were assassinated while strolling on
the grounds of Government House in 1973.
Duke of York St.
&
441/297-8359.
www.anglican.bm. Free admission (donations appreciated). Daily
10am-4:30pm; Sun services 11am; guide available Mon-Sat.
Town Hall
Officers of the Corporation of St. George's, headed by a mayor, meet in
the Town Hall, located near the Visitors Information Centre. There are three alder-
men and five common councilors. The Town Hall holds a collection of Bermuda
cedar furnishings, along with photographs of previous mayors.
7 King's Sq.
&
441/297-1532.
Free admission. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.
Tucker House Museum
This was the home of the well-known Tucker family of
England, Bermuda, and Virginia. It displays a notable collection of Bermudian furni-
ture, portraits, and silver. Also in the Tucker House is the Joseph Rainey Memorial
Room, where Joseph Hayne Rainey (mentioned above in the section on “The Town
of St. George”) practiced barbering. A new exhibit on the ground floor traces the
archaeological history of the site. The kitchen, now restored, has become an exhibit
for visitors to see.
5 Water St.
&
441/297-0545.
www.bnt.bm. Admission $5 adults, $2 children 6-18, free for children 5
and under. Combination ticket to all three Trust Museums (Bermuda National Trust Museum, Tucker
House, Verdmont) $10. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.
Unfinished Church
After leaving Somers Garden, head up the steps to the North
Gate, which opens onto Blockade Alley. The structure here is known as the “folly of
St. George's.” The cathedral, begun in 1874, was intended to replace St. Peter's. But
the planners ran into money problems, and a schism within the church developed. As
if that weren't enough, a storm swept over the island, causing considerable damage
to the structure. Result: the Unfinished Church.
Blockade Alley. No phone. www.bnt.bm. Free admission. Apr-Nov daily 9am-3pm.
7
