Bermuda Series: Heritage, Ancestry, History!!!

Part I – Heritage in Housing

Much has been said of Bermuda's heritage or lack of heritage, depending on who is speaking at the time. So, what is it that Bermudians call heritage?

Let's see… culture includes a people's housing, clothing, food, and traditions (celebratory, symbolic, and other.) Since heritage and culture may be considered as synonymous, we will start there – cultural heritage.

Housing in Bermuda is so much a part of what it means to be Bermudian rather than from any other country. How many people were mortified about the construction of houses at Midland Heights back in the 80's? Poured concrete walls, fake slate roofs. Bye vat you talkin' 'bout? You must be crazy!

At one time, so much of Bermuda's heritage was literally built into the housing. The natural limestone quarries provided jobs for countless men to take care of their families – cutting/sawing blocks and slate out of the quarries to build solid houses that could withstand many storms and hurricanes. Limestone roofing that could be whitewashed and used for collecting precious water into tanks on the side or under the houses. Where else in the world is there construction such as Bermuda houses? Nowhere, nowhere at all. Imitations maybe – but not quite the same as there on "the Rock."

How many times have visitors listened to lectures or foreign friends been lectured about the construction of Bermuda houses? I was at a social event in Georgia recently where one of the guests was telling me and another Georgia resident about Bermuda housing construction. The guest had visited Bermuda on several occasions. She had her facts straight and was fascinating her friends with her knowledge of lime painted roofs catching precious water to collect into cisterns/tanks on the side or under the house.

Then take moon gates. Although in Bermuda via China, this symbol of good fortune and love is made of the same Bermuda limestone used for housing. The stone could be chiseled and smoothed into a magical shape and used as a backdrop for wedding pictures both old and new. It is said that blessings of eternal love and happiness will follow lovers who walk through a moon gate. Look in your family albums – you are sure to see moon gate framed photos.

Bermudians are so proud of the architectural heritage that influences their culture of pastel colored limestone houses cut by masters of the quarry, built by master masons, and, in days of old, with the helping, loving hands of neighborhood friends. The white roof topped buildings are one of the first wonderful reminders of home seen as the plane lands after miles and miles of white clouds and blue seas. And what an AHAH moment it is!