The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art celebrated 200 years of living history yesterday when it hosted a joint birthday party for centenarians Elfrida Louise Chappell and Myrtle Elizabeth Edness.

Ms Chappell, a longtime Masterworks donor, and Warwick resident Ms Edness, a volunteer at the Botanical Gardens museum, mark their 100th birthdays just days apart — Ms Chappell on July 14, Ms Edness on July 17.

“Their stories are unique and interesting,” said Elise Outerbridge, curator and director of collections at Masterworks, who described the two women as “sprightly and spry”.

“They both are people who have consistently given back to Bermuda and, funnily enough, have both been very involved in Masterworks,” she added.

Elfrida Chappell is a patron of the Bermuda National Trust. She has been an avid participant and aficionado of the Masterworks Museum and some of Bermuda’s leading charities, including the Bermuda Audubon Society. Ms Chappell has also been very involved in the Garden Club of Bermuda, winning the organisation’s coveted Bermuda Trophy in 2013.

In 2003, Ms Chappell donated 8.7 acres of land extending along the South Shore to the Bermuda National Trust, giving it in her father’s name as the Alfred Blackburn Smith Nature Reserve.

Ms Chappell’s father, Alfred Blackburn Smith originally built the Coral Beach and Tennis Club in Paget and was once a controlling shareholder of the club.

Ms Chappell also helped donate a truck to the National Trust along with other seniors and was instrumental in helping the environmental organisation improve woodland management in Bermuda.

“Elfrida Chappell’s family trust, the Chappell Family Trust, also donated Winslow Homer’s famous Bermuda painting Inland Water to Masterworks, putting us on the international map,” said Ms Outerbridge.

“She’s done a lot for charity and for us,” she added.

Myrtle Edness, the daughter of a pilot and granddaughter of a whaler, grew up in Warwick. Ms Edness was known for swimming every day of the year at Horseshoe Bay in Southampton and is a member of the Bermuda National Gallery in Hamilton. Ms Edness was a dedicated volunteer and enthusiast of Masterworks and Girl Guides.

“She is one of our oldest volunteers. She first volunteered for us in 1989 at the front desk and only stopped about three or four years ago,” said Ms Outerbridge of Ms Edness’ dedication to Masterworks.

Ms Edness has been a member of the Kirk Session which is comprised of elders and administrators who focus on bettering different aspects of church life at Christ Church, Warwick since 1978.

Both Ms Edness and Ms Chappell were honoured at Christ Church by Reverend Barry W. Dunsmore.