involvement of former Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood.

Chairman of the Board of the Bermuda Maritime Museum, Mr. Paul Leseur, announced recently that Sir James had accepted the position of chairman of the museum's Capital Campaign.

"Sir James is one of our most recognised and respected leaders on the Island, and we thank him for his acceptance of the position,'' Mr. Leseur said.

The campaign is designed to raise money needed to restore Commissioner's House at Dockyard.

The building is believed to be one of the earliest and finest examples of pre-fabricated cast iron construction in the world.

"Of all the buildings constructed in Bermuda since the beginning of the 19th century only Commissioner's House can claim to be of international significance,'' said Mr. Leseur.

Sir James added: "The Maritime Museum provides all Bermudians with a link to our maritime past, which is such an important piece of the historical fabric of our Island.

"The future of the museum is important too for the 55,000 tourists who visit its exhibits each year.'' The Museum's vice-chairman Mr. Robert Steinhoff said Commissioner's House would become the centrepiece of the Museum and would eventually house new exhibits.

"The additional space is sorely needed because of the Museum's ever increasing artifact collections,'' said Mr. Steinhoff.

"The work on the house is proceeding according to schedule and the goal is to complete much of the work before the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen.'' WELCOME -- Former Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood (second from right) is welcomed as campaign chairman of the Maritime Museum's Capital Campaign by (from left to right) Museum vice-chairman Mr. Robert Steinhoff, Chairman of the Board Mr. Paul Leseur, and member of the Board of Trustees Mr. John McCulloch.