We’re angry, upset and frustrated!

Once again a piece of Bermuda’s Black history is being rendered virtually unrecognisable under plans submitted by Linberg & Simmons and Fidelity Real Estate Company entitled “Moonray Manor Restoration/Redevelopment,” all approved by the Department of Planning in July 2014.

Lane School, built by former slaves 180 years ago following Emancipation in 1834, is slowly being rendered invisible. A letter written by John Adams, former Bermuda Archivist in the 1990s, states “the core of “Moonray Manor” [Lane School] is one of Bermuda’s most historically important buildings.” He goes on to note “that without incurring vast expense, the building could be restored to its 1830s appearance, and could serve as a museum of the history of Black Bermudians of the nineteenth century.”

In 2009, following the submission of detailed and well-researched objections to the Department of Planning by the Bermuda National Trust and LeYoni Junos of Bermuda Genealogy & Historical Research Services, CURB was contacted by the Tucker’s Town Historical Society and alerted about the proposed rezoning of the Lane School for commercial development. Through a letter-writing campaign CURB contacted numerous other historical organisations, government officials, churches, individuals and numerous members of the public in an effort to save Lane School from demolition, and our joint efforts were rewarded when the Government heeded the public outcry and placed the building on the Historic Buildings List.

In 2011 and early 2012 CURB contacted the CEO of Fidelity Investments and the Trustees of Moonray Manor Trust, Mr Frank Mutch and Dr David Saul, providing them with a proposal to turn the site and Lane School into a Racial Justice & Reconciliation Institute, including a museum, research library and remembrance garden. We were advised the building was not for sale, and advised we would be notified if it ever came on the market. So we held on to the hope that one day it would be offered for sale and a fundraising campaign to save Lane School could be started.

A few months ago we were told that the building would be restored as part of plans to turn it into a private home, and although we were disappointed that this ideal and historic location could not be a part of Bermuda’s healing process, we realised that at least the school would be restored and protected. Or so we thought.

Several weeks before Hurricane Fay bore down upon us, the Bermuda slate roof was removed leaving the Bermuda cedar beams exposed to the elements for over six weeks. Many builders know that old Bermuda roofs withstand hurricanes well, especially due to the sheer weight of the slate, cut in those days thicker than it is today. At 70 lbs per square foot, there are many Bermuda-slate roofs on the island surviving over almost four centuries. So why was the slate on a roof that had withstood countless hurricanes for 180 years including the Great Hurricane of 1948 removed?

From the roadside the 180 year old cedar beams appeared to be in good condition, so imagine the shock when the Bermuda cedar beams disappear virtually overnight. At first it was hoped they had been stored somewhere to be restored and reinstalled, but it was later learned that it had been sold to a Mr E Powell who was well pleased with his bargain.

These cedar beams were of immense importance to our history and our community, lovingly and proudly hand carved by former slaves in the pride and knowledge that they were at last free and were creating a place for their children to finally get an education. Surely these beams could have been saved, restored and displayed, if not in the house itself, at a museum, or at the least donated to an organisation that could have ensured their care and protection. Who sold them and why?

Outreach to the Bermuda National Trust early this year confirmed that Pembroke Hall, a BNT Grade 1 listed property, along with much of Foot of the Lane, was given to Fidelity on a long lease in exchange for fixing it up. At that time the BNT advised CURB that Lane School was never in their ownership, being the home of Dr Morley Nash prior to going into the hands of the Moonray Manor Trust. However, information contained in the Department of Planning’s files in 2009 noted that in 1991, according to a Mid-Ocean News article dated 12th April 1991, an entity called Fidnat, whose principals are Fidelity and the Bermuda National Trust, acquired Moonray Manor. The President of the Bermuda National Trust, Patsy Phillips, Chairman of the Trust’s Environmental Committee, Wendell Hollis, and Dr David Saul, President of Fidelity, are all quoted in the article, with Dr Saul saying that “the intent of Fidnat is to leave the building totally alone as it is a perfect reflection of the character of old Bermuda.”

So this raises further questions, ie is the BNT still in partnership with Fidelity regarding ownership of Moonray Manor (Lane School)? When was the land/building transferred from Fidnat to the entity “Moonray Manor Trust?” Was it sold or leased on to other parties? Who are the “real” owners of Lane School? Who are the interested parties behind the so-called restoration and redevelopment? And why did Dr Saul go back on his word, given that the whole reason for acquiring the building and land was to preserve it?

At the time all this was happening Dr Saul held two senior posts with Fidelity Investments, from 1984 through 1995, as the President of Fidelity Bermuda and Executive Vice President of Fidelity International. (Forbes Profile 2013).

The Department of Planning’s Guidelines reassuringly provide detailed advice on alterations/additions to listed buildings. On reading it one is lulled into a false sense of security, assured that there are adequate checks and balances provided. Section 1.4 f) states that historic features should be repaired rather than replaced. So why has wolmanized pitch pine been used to replace the original Bermuda cedar beams? Why has cement block instead of Bermuda stone been used to replace the gabled end of the roof? Especially when owners of listed buildings can obtain interest free loans backed by the Bermuda Government to help “restore” their old Bermuda properties. Builders have told us of others who have renovated their old Bermuda homes, being strictly reminded by the Department of Planning to adhere to the regulations with regard to restoration to ensure it was exactly as it was before. So why does it appear the Department of Planning and/or the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee have failed to do so with the restoration of Lane School?

The Department of Planning were advised by the engineers that the Lane School roof had dry rot and termites, however, no record could be found in the files at the Department of Planning that they, or the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee, investigated these issues prior to allowing the builders to take the roof down. Additionally not one mention could be found in the architect’s submissions or the Department of Planning’s records that the beams in the house were made of Bermuda cedar.

With so much money involved in developing the site, why couldn’t the roof be saved? Surely something could have been done, even if it meant building a new beam support for the roof and having the original beams merely for authenticity. The documents at the Department of Planning state that “cracks in roof of NW corner wall, with several windows broken and missing shutters.”

There are more houses around Bermuda today with worse damage than this being repaired following two hurricanes. Why wasn’t this damage repaired?

So now we see the interior of Lane School being partitioned, so that it no longer resembles a 22.5’ x 50’ open school room; we see an addition being added to the back of the school, so the integrity of the exterior of the original building no longer resembles how it looked for almost two hundred years. And finally, French doors being added to the west and south side of the school room. It is going to be a beautiful home, but where does this fit into the concept of “restoration” of a historical icon of Black Bermuda history.

Mr Richard Lowry at the Department of Planning advised that his department only have say on the outward appearance of the building, but not on the restoration of the interior. If our laws and policies, and those authorities given the power to protect our historic buildings, are only providing weak oversight and protection of our historic buildings, then it is time the law needs to change.

No doubt this opinion piece will result in the Department of Planning, the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee, the owners, trustees, architects, builders and various others coming back with a list of reasons as to why this or that was done. No doubt buried in the rules and regulation somewhere is something that they can hold up to demonstrate they did no wrong. But the bottom line is that Lane School has sadly not been restored as those who fought for its survival had hoped. Instead it has been overwhelmed and subsumed within a large, expensive home, and its simple beauty and elegance systematically stripped, sold, chopped up and transformed, no longer recognisable as Lane School.

And so we must ask the final questions. Why do we have laws that say one thing but the outcome is so very different? Why does our society, including those involved in the demise of Lane School, believe it is okay to contribute to the ongoing neglect, suppression and sidelining of Black Bermudian history? Why is it that many Bermudians reading this opinion piece will never have even heard about Lane School or its dramatic history? What is it about our systems of governance that allow us to make these mistakes again, and again? And how will a plaque on a wall make up for this terrible loss?

•Lynne Winfield, is the vice-president of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda