This weekend, take a trip to the West End and dive deep into Bermuda’s culture and storied past. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn more about their island home in fun, energetic and lively environments.
Bermuda Transport Museum
Having reopened last year in Dockyard, the Bermuda Transport Museum is a treasure trove of transportation artifacts from Bermuda’s past. Collector Paul Martins and business partner Luciano “Channel” Aicardi own the museum.
In keeping with Bermudian interests, the museum currently displays various restored motorcycles, including Mobylettes and Zundapps. In addition to the bikes, various vintage carriages and cars are on display, as well as a huge foiling sail from Oracle Team USA’s boat that they used this America’s Cup.
Martins is a transportation enthusiast with big plans for the museum, hoping to eventually install a workshop within the building where visitors can watch restorations in process, as well as a kids area and a boat showroom, focusing on Seagull engines.
In the winter, you can visit the museum from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, for just $5 admission.
See Graham Foster’s Mural
On November 25, 2009, Queen Elizabeth opened the Hall of History at Commissioner’s House (National Museum of Bermuda). The impressive mural is the masterwork of local artist Graham Foster that depicts 400 years of island history. How large a canvas does an artist need to paint 500 years of history? One thousand square feet, to be exact. It took Foster 7,000 hours of research and painting to complete the two-story mural. Foster says “It was the chance of one in a million for an artist,” and it is a rare opportunity to enjoy a magnificent piece of local art and history all rolled into one.
Beer Tasting at The Frog & Onion
Sit back in one of Bermuda’s only beer gardens and enjoy a tasting flight of six locally brewed beers from the Dockyard Brewing Co. The beers are brewed in an 150 year old building mer steps away from this sunny outdoor seating area with expansive historic views of the Victualling yard. If all that beer is making you peckish, why not enjoy a delicious pub lunch with some of the best fish and chips on the island, beer-battered with the Dockyard Brewing Co.’s very own St. David’s Lager.
See Local Artists in Action or their Work on Display the Bermuda Arts Centre
Across from the National Museum of Bermuda is the Bermuda Arts Centre, a place that provides a platform for creative Bermudians to showcase their work. It’s studio spaces and revolving series of exhibitions include original work from the best local painters, photographers, sculptors and textile artists. It is a place that nurtures and showcases Bermudian talent. If you’re not in time to catch a specific show, there is a print gallery and gift shop.
