Want to know what a British colonial outpost looked like in the 1600s? Wander around the Town of St. George, which has retained much of its early street plan and many of its early stone buildings. You'll encounter cobblestone lanes and alleyways bearing curious names – think Shinbone Alley and Needle & Thread Alley – hinting at their former lives. You can also snap selfies in front of classic Bermuda limestone cottages. Here are some of the UNESCO World Heritage site's historic attractions, more than enough for a day exploring the past.
St. George’s Historical Society Museum and Mitchell House
Built by a wealthy St. George’s merchant, Major Walter Mitchell, this 1730s home is now known as the St. George's Historical Society Museum and Mitchell House. You will see many kinds of historic artefacts and furnishings ranging from a vintage printing press to a detailed re-creation of an 18th-century kitchen. Don’t miss visiting the lovingly maintained cottage garden in the back of the house.
Tucker House Museum
Get a glimpse of day-to-day life during colonial times at the Tucker House Museum, a St. George's home constructed in the 1750s. Henry Tucker, President of the Governor’s Council, moved into the house in 1775 and the Tucker family remained there until 1809. You’ll see the family’s prized collection of silver, china and crystal, antique English mahogany and Bermuda cedar furniture, and hand-sewn quilts. Also at the museum, The Rainey Exhibit tells the fascinating story of Joseph Rainey, a free black man who escaped from the American south during the Civil War to become a successful Bermudian barber.
St. Peter’s Church, Their Majesties Chappell
St. Peter’s Church has been a place of spiritual respite for a long time – as the oldest continually used church in the western hemisphere, it has a history stretching back to Bermuda’s earliest days. The cedar beams and candlelit chandeliers give the church a simple, rustic-yet-elegant look. Among the treasures you’ll find here is the original church’s altar, the oldest piece of woodwork in Bermuda. Don’t miss the church’s graveyard, where many famous early Bermudians are buried.
Bermuda National Trust Museum in the Globe Hotel
As one of the island’s original inns, the Globe Hotel has played host to more than its fair share of historically important guests. So it makes sense that the early 1700s stone building is now home to the Bermuda National Trust Museum. Civil War aficionados should add this one to their itineraries as it was once the office of Confederate agent Major Norman Walker. The exhibit "Rogues & Runners: Bermuda and the American Civil War" tells the tangled tale of Bermuda’s role in America's Civil War.
Fort St. Catherine & Museum
Constructed in 1614, Fort St. Catherine towers above the pink-sand beach where the Sea Venture’s crew – Bermuda’s original settlers – came ashore in 1609. Explore the fort’s massive ramparts, antique artillery, labyrinthine tunnels and chambers carved deep into the bedrock. Soak in incredible views of Achilles Bay and St. Catherine's Beach, and enjoy a museum that focuses on the age-old task of protecting Bermuda from invaders.