When you think of Bermuda, what comes to mind? Our pink beaches, blue water, international business, or how about our people or houses? For decades tourists and guest workers alike have flocked to our island shores intrigued by what our island paradise has to offer. Often one will hear: “Look at the water, it’s so blue,” or, “Oh, the children are so cute in their little uniforms,” and of course: “Wow, the roofs are all white, and look at all the different coloured houses!”

Bermuda’s architecture is an integral part of what creates our heritage. Its distinctive cottages set against lush landscapes and blue skies set apart our island home from every other. Low ease lines, quaint bricked garden entries and outdoor seating areas bring a sense of personal scale and tranquility, reinforcing our island’s friendly tone. Colourful shutters and walls reflect our vibrancy and playfulness.

Our homes also reflect our national spirit and the best of these are our historic homes; Bermuda’s lived in and worn treasures.

Their age alone isn’t what tells their story, but how they’ve weathered and worn over time. The moss over the bricked garden path adds a depth of colour, and the stepped entry aged from years of greeting it’s owners and visitors, add to the charm of these little cottages, giving them the character that only time and the fierce Bermuda climate can develop.

Upon entering such a home, the smell of cedar greets you mingled with the scent of frangipani and oleander from the centuries old garden just outside the door. Inside, the wood floor has retained its lustre and looks even better than the engineered hardwood with which you’ve just refinished your condo.

Continuing into the home with its lofty ceilings, narrow halls, hidden passages and cubbies, you begin to get a sense for how the original owners must have lived. How different the times were then, and yet, for some strange reason, it feels like home. For some of us, historic buildings are home and it does not seem odd to live in a house that is reminiscent of an era gone by, especially when it is contrasted against the modern world and pace that is our current time.

Many of the recent inhabitants enjoy the narrow corridors and closet-less bedrooms. The charm of being a part of history, and enjoying a space in time that has long since past is enough incentive for some. Then, for others, the ageing of the homes — like the ageing of a good wine, or in the case of Bermuda, rum — adds to the value and richness of the experience. The craftsmanship of the home, its details, joinery, intricate patterns and chisel marks are details that are seldom attained in a newly constructed home.

Some of the greatest examples of our historic homes are seen in New London, better known as our Old Towne of St George, founded in 1612. It is the oldest British town in the Western Hemisphere and is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Here, history seems to spill out onto the narrow streets and passageways. A living museum, the Old Towne remains preserved and protected. Once a year for the Bermuda National Trust’s Christmas Walkabout, St George’s is taken back in time and many historic homes and buildings are opened up to the public for an opportunity for us all to celebrate and enjoy a rich part of Bermuda’s heritage. It is truly a night for celebrating what is beautiful about Bermuda, her homes and her people, all while enjoying the best of the Yuletide Season. This Friday, visit the Old Towne Walkabout for a magical evening of culture and candlelight.

— The photos featured are of the Old Rectory in St George, built around 1699. This Bermuda National Trust building is a Christmas Walkabout favourite. This property has been modernised and when not on display is rented.

Akilah Swan is a junior architect at Linberg and Simmons