The uproar over the future of Alexandrina Hall brings a number of issues to the fore.

Most importantly, Alexandrina Hall and the Lodge associated with it has played an important part in Bermuda's history.

The Lodge itself has been in existence since at least the American Civil War, when it numbered among its members future US Congressman Joseph Rainey.

It also sent condolences to the US when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It was also one of the most important lodges post-Emancipation.

The Hall, built in 1852, also played a major part in Bermuda's social history, especially before desegregation. So the walls of the building could tell a lot of stories if they could talk.

Of course, block and cement cannot tell the whole story, but the building's age and its fine classical facade are also a testament to the fine design work and craftsmanship that typified 19th Century Hamilton. Sadly, many other buildings of this sort have already fallen victim to the wrecking ball to make way for offices, condoes and hotels. It would be a shame if Alexandrina Hall went the same way as the redevelopment of Hamilton continues to spread.

Bermuda Sun columnist Larry Burchall was quoted as saying in last week's Bermuda Sun that whites in Bermuda have tended to be aware of their heritage to a greater extent than blacks. That may be true up to a point. But the spread of development in Hamilton has not yet affected what used to be known as "back of town" to the same extent as the rest of Hamilton. Many important buildings on Reid, Queen and Church Streets, the traditional "white" areas, are long gone, and Front Street has not been spared either.

That means that some of the most important examples of Bermuda architecture prior to the post-Second World War economic boom are now on Court Street and points east and Victoria Street and points north of it. Preserving these areas is important, both for their heritage and to avoid the complete loss of their architectural importance.

Finally, it raises, again, the question of why buildings in Hamilton, apart from the Anglican Cathedral, are not listed as being of achitectural importance. Why is it that buildings through the rest of the Island can be restricted from redevelopment – for good reason – but developers in Hamilton can do almost anything they want?