The Bermuda National Trust’s annual heritage awards were presented on 15 June. The awards, sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis, recognise individuals, organisations, groups and schools that have worked to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage, or whose work has enhanced Bermuda heritage awareness or understanding. The ceremony took place at BNT’s Verdmont Museum and the trophies and certificates were presented by Trust President Alana Anderson and Junior Minister for Culture Kim Swan.

The Architectural Heritage book team receives The Palmetto Award

The Trust’s highest honour, the Palmetto Award, was presented to the Architectural Heritage book team for thousands of hours of work over 30 years to research the 10-book series covering the architectural heritage of all nine parishes and the City of Hamilton. The Silver Palmetto award was received by Margaret Lloyd, supported by many of those who have worked on the series over the years.

In top award for Heritage Education, the Michael Darling Shield, went to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) for organising the Youth Climate Summit and associated Climate Action Projects.

Heritage Education certificates were awarded to Whitney Institute Middle School for creating a ‘wellness garden’, the Sandys Guides and Brownies for environmental volunteering at Somerset Long Bay, and Warwick Academy for their seahorse research project.

The top Natural Heritage award, the Bermudiana trophy, went to Robert Steinhoff for his generous support for BNT’s Gilbert Nature Reserve, Morgan’s Island and Palm Island both financially and with hands-on labour. His hard work and commitment is helping to transform these nature reserves into native and endemic strongholds.

Dale Butler receives a Cultural Heritage Award

The Cultural Heritage Impact Award, the top honour in the cultural heritage section, went to the St George’s Foundation (SGF) for their conservation of World Heritage Site fortifications. SGF chair Peter Barrett and vice chair Stuart Smith enlisted community volunteers to remove invasive plants and huge amounts of debris to clean up and prevent further deterioration of the Ferry Reach forts, Fort Cunningham, Fort Victoria and Fort Albert.

Cultural Heritage Award certificates were awarded to:

  • Dale Butler, for creating and providing community access to Rosalie Gardens at 35 Angle Street in North Hamilton
  • Cheryl Hayward-Chew for services to the Bermuda World Heritage Site (WHS) of St George’s as former chair of the WHS management committee who oversaw the most recent review of the WHS management plan
  • The Friends of St Peter’s Church, and Robert Powell, for sensitive conservation and restoration of St Peter’s Church windows and exterior woodwork
  • The National Museum of Bermuda for the Family Scrapbook project
  • Otto Trott for documenting Bermuda’s cultural heritage through his art.

The top award for Built Heritage – the Clipper Award – went to James and Vanessa Peniston and contractor Travis Lewis for the sensitive restoration of Grade 2 Listed “Weber” in Pembroke.

Other awards for restorations or renovations of historic buildings went to Scott Hunter and Janet Kemp for Grade 2 listed “Glen Duror” in St George’s; Brian and Rosa Quinn for Grade 1 listed “Villa Mont Clare” in Smith’s; and Richard and Lindsay Butterfield and contractor Travis Lewis for Grade 2 listed “Durham” in Pembroke.

The Bermudian Magazine was awarded the DeForest Trimingham Awareness Award for their promotion of Bermuda heritage over many decades, both in print and online.

The Bermudian’s Gabrielle Boyer and Tina Stevenson receive The DeForest Trimingham Awareness Award

The Trust also awarded several Honorary Life Memberships for exceptional service to the Trust. These went to:

  • Dr Michael Jarvis, for decades of historical and archaeological investigation in partnership with BNT, including over 10 years leading the Smith’s Island Archaeological Project
  • Michael Spurling and Michael Whittall, for generous support over many years
  • Robert Masters, for his service on the BNT Heritage Committee and Council
  • Allen Van Putten, for 18 years of service at BNT maintaining, conserving and restoring BNT buildings.

Dörte Horsfield, the Trust’s Head of Development & Engagement, was recognised for 10 years of service.

BNT Council Members 2023

Left to right: Duncan Simons, Mark Orchard (Vice President), Meredith Ebbin, Robin Mayor, Alana Anderson (President), Michael Leverock, Linda O’Shea, Peter Hebberd (Development Chair), Andrew D. DeGregorio (Treasurer, Finance Chair), Mariette Savoie and Zeudi Hinds

Missing: Stratton Hatfield and William White

For more information, please contact Karen Border, Executive Director, karen.border@bnt.bm, tel 236 6483 ext 223.