TheNational Museum of Bermuda, previously theBermuda Maritime Museum from its opening in 1974 until 2009 (legislatively formalised in 2013), explores the maritime and island history ofBermuda. Themaritime museum is located within the grounds of the fortress Keep of the formerRoyal Naval Dockyard inSandys Parish on theIreland Island at the western end of Bermuda. The museum publishes a number of books relating toBermuda's history.
After the English colonies in North America had established theirindependence, Bermuda was developed as a major British naval base to control the sea lanes to North America. The Dockyard construction started in 1809 and continued for a century.[1] Buildings of the Keep were constructed using the locallimestone. Work was done initially by slaves, later by convicts, prisoners, and laborers imported from the West Indies. The dockyard closed in the late fifties, and buildings started to fall into disrepair. In 1974 the Bermuda Maritime Museum took over the site of the Keep and restoration began.[2]
The museum changed its name in 2009 to reflect its broader national focus; this name change was formalised in 2013 after an amendment was made to the museum's Act.[2][3][4]
The 10-acre (40,000 m2) Keep of the dockyard was itscitadel andarsenal and protected it against potential attacks from land or sea.[1] Defenses includebastions "A" to "G", ramparts and casemats, equipped with numerous guns including now displayed 24-pounder and 32-poundercarronades, 6-inch shell guns and 8-inch (200 mm) magazine breech-loading guns. The Keep Yard is surrounded on three sides by buildings and magazines; the fourth side is the location of a statue ofNeptune. The 1837 Shifting House once stored muskets and gunpowder. Among the storage facilities are the 1850 Ordnance Building that stored 4,860 kegs of gunpowder on a floor of non-sparkingbitumen, the 1852 Ordnance House, and the 1853/1890 Ordnance House.[1] The 1870 High Cave magazine is located above a now flooded cave. The Commissioner's House takes a commanding position at the center of the Keep. Designed byEdward Holl, it was erected within five years in the 1820s as the world's first residence usingprefabricatedcast-iron for its structural framework.[1][5] It decayed after the departure of the British, but after the museum took control in 1974, it has been restored over a period of 25 years.
The Commissioner's House is used to display a number of exhibitions. The basement showsBermuda's Defence Heritage, a display about Bermuda's defenses and fortifications since 1612, and the role of local forces inWorld War I andWorld War II (this is devoted only to the British aspect of Bermuda's naval and military history, although there is a separate exhibit devoted to the United States bases). The pillared hall is site of a two-storeyHistory of Bermuda mural by the Bermudian artist Graham Foster. The main floor has a number of themes related toBermuda's history includingslavery,immigration, andtourism. One room is dedicated to the history of theBermuda Race. The upper floor contains collections of maps, books, coins, maritime art, and exhibits concerning activities of the Royal Navy and the US Forces, specifically during World War II. Other buildings showshipwreck artifacts, local watercraft, or are under renovation (2009).[1]
The High Cave magazine displays artifacts relating to prisoners from theBoer Wars, and World Wars I and II.[6]
A small building, the Dainty/ 1906 RA Store, shows yachtDainty, once a local participant of theBermuda Race, that was built more than a century ago and at least three-times restored.[7]
The Keep Pond once used to transport ammunition from outside anchored ships to the fortress is now home of theDolphin Quest, a place where visitors can interact with dolphins.[8]
The 1850 Ordnance Building interior, also called the Queen's Exhibition Hall, appeared as the fictitious 'Hamilton Library' in the 1977 adventure movieThe Deep.[9] The scene, starringJacqueline Bisset andNick Nolte, was filmed in October 1976,[9] at the location of the realTucker Cross crime scene. The emerald-studded 22 karat gold cross had been discovered stolen whenQueen Elizabeth II came to name the building on February 17, 1975.[9] Bermudian explorer,Teddy Tucker, appears in cameo during the film.
Steinhoff Magazine, High Cave: 'Prisoners in Paradise': Artefacts in Bermuda cedar/stone/other materials created by Dockyard convict establishment, and prisoners of the Boer and World Wars.
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