Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
has many rare topics, including a 1624 edition of John Smith's
General Historie
of Virginia, New England and the Somers Isles,
which you can ask to view. If you'd
like to rest and catch up on your reading, you'll also find a selection of current
local and British newspapers and periodicals here.
Across the street is the:
6
Perot Post Office
William Perot ran this post office from 1818 to 1862. It's said that he'd collect
the mail from the clipper ships, then put it under his top hat in order to maintain
his dignity. As he proceeded through town, he'd greet his friends and acquain-
tances by tipping his hat, thereby delivering their mail at the same time. He
started printing stamps in 1848. A Perot stamp is extremely valuable today—
only 11 are known to exist, and Queen Elizabeth II owns several. The last time
a Perot stamp came on the market, in 1986, it fetched $135,000.
3
Continue to the top of Queen Street, then turn right onto Church Street to reach:
7
Hamilton City Hall
Located at 17 Church St., the city hall dates from 1960 and is crowned by a
white tower. The bronze weather vane on top is a replica of the
Sea Venture.
Portraits of the queen and paintings of former island leaders adorn the main
lobby. The Bermuda Society of Arts holds frequent exhibitions in this hall. The
Benbow family's collection of rare stamps is also on display.
8
Paradiso Café
The Paradiso Cafe (p. 113), on the ground floor of the Washington Mall, a shopping and
office complex on Reid Street, which is parallel to Church Street to the south (
&
441/295-
3263), serves the most irresistible pastries in town. You can also order ice cream, tartlets,
quiches, croissant sandwiches, espresso, and cappuccino.
In back of Hamilton City Hall, opening onto Victoria Street, lies:
9
Victoria Park
Office workers frequent this cool, refreshing oasis on their lunch breaks. It
features a sunken garden, ornamental shrubbery, and a Victorian bandstand.
The 1.6-hectare (4-acre) park was laid out in honor of Queen Victoria's Golden
Jubilee in 1887. Outdoor concerts are held here in summer. Contact the tourist
office for dates.
Cedar Avenue is the eastern boundary of Victoria Park. If you follow it north for 2
blocks, you'll reach:
10
St. Theresa's
This Roman Catholic cathedral is open daily from 8am to 7pm and for Sunday
services. Its architecture was inspired by the Spanish Mission style. Dating from
1927, it's one of a half-dozen Roman Catholic churches in Bermuda; its treasure
is a gold-and-silver chalice—a gift from Pope Paul VI when he visited the island
in 1968.
After seeing the cathedral, retrace your steps south along Cedar Avenue until you
reach Victoria Street. Cedar Avenue now becomes Burnaby Street; continue south to
Church Street and turn left. A short walk along this street (on your left) will bring you
to the:
