The Bermuda Historical Society's Par-la-Ville Museum has taken another giant step towards making the museum more attractive to all Bermudians by illustrating, among other things, the role of black Bermudians in the 400-year history of the island.

It was a necessary step, said BHS president Andrew Bermingham, towards removing the stigma that the museum only reflected white society. BHS has been in existence since 1895.

The Society was proud to commit the museum to Bermuda, and to the 2009 celebrations, said Mr. Bermingham at the formal opening on Tuesday of its latest upgraded entities.

"We want Bermuda to 'own' it. My hope is that a younger group of Bermudians will assume responsibility for this special place in the midst of 21st-century Hamilton," said Mr. Bermingham.

He added: "The museum in its own small way has entered into a partnership with the Corporation of Hamilton, the Bermuda National Library and Masterworks to illustrate our rich collective heritage history.

"We encourage organisations, schools, clubs and corporate Bermuda to see the displays that were either imported by early settlers or made by black and white Bermudians alike."

Minister for Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler and Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros were among participants in the opening ceremony. Others included US Consul General Gregory Slayton and historian Mrs. Joyce Hall, who was described as "the matriarch of the BHS", and Mrs. Cecily Snaith Simmons.

Other notables present were Head Librarian Joanne Brangman; Folklife Officer Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson, chair of the 2009 Planning Committee; Mrs. Conchita Ming and BHS secretary John Cox, who was hailed as a resource expert on portraits and china.

Mr. Butler was high in his praise of the BHS in its latest drive to preserve and acknowledge the past without prejudice that keeps the spirit of the Society's founders alive.

"This 'new' museum reflects the passion of BHS members to continue to educate and maintain not only a repository of Bermuda's artifacts, but also to provide guidance through our shared history, that helps promote better understanding and co-operation in the future," the Minister added.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation to the US Consul General of a carving of an eagle that had been commissioned in the 1920s by a former Consul Clayton Merrill. Years later it was presented to the Society by his widow in his memory.

Our pictures show: Culture Minister Dale Butler congratulating Historical Society president Andrew Bermingham (top middle). At centre looking on is Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Maderios. Other guests looking on (centre below) included Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson holding her child. Middle right: Mr. Bermingham displays a second medal Mrs. Cecily Snaith Simmons has donated to the Museum. It was awarded to her mother's great uncle Fred Dolan (Dowling for his service in the Anglo Boer War in South Africa. He was the only black Bermudian to have served in the Boer War. Fred, a St. Georgian, left Bermuda at age 15 for Africa. In 1999 he joined the Steam Road Transport Section of the Royal Engineers. Subsequently, he served in the British Mercantile Marine in World War One, returning home around 1920. His Queen's South Africa medal was ordinarily awarded only to white soldiers. Pictured (top left) local artist Vernon Clark views the earliest known portrait in the 1800s of a black woman in Bermuda, whose name was given as a Miss Burrows of Sandys. Name of the artist is unknown. Center below. A salute by BHS to W.E.R. Joell who finely crafted the cabinet containing the BHS's silver collection reputed to be the best in the island. Mr. Joell is cited as a humanitarian, craftsman and tennis fan. He's the man after whom the National Tennis Stadium is named. Also, he was the son of the first black member of the House of Assembly. Mr. Joell's daughter, Mrs. Joyce Hayden, attended the Tuesday night function. Photos by Ira Philip, a former executive member of BHS.