The first impression of the latest in the series of 'old house' books produced by the Bermuda National Trust is, "Wow, it's thick".

Next comes: "What an astonishing accomplishment compiling all those old photographs and newspaper clippings, collating all those inventories and researching all those property deeds."

The list of contributors at the beginning of the book is witness to the huge number of hours and resources spent on recording not only our architecture but also the social history of our neighbourhoods, their local alliances and factions.

'Paget', volume six of the Historic Buildings Book Project, follows the format of the previous publications in the series, using maps, line drawings, paintings and photographs to illustrate the evolution of individual houses.

The illustrations are fascinating, beginning with the beautiful pen and ink drawing by Steven Conway of the Paget shoreline from Denbigh on Pomander Gate Road to Salt Kettle Ferry on Musson's Point.

Though chosen primarily to illustrate the architecture, the illustrations also provide a glimpse of an earlier lifestyle of fields of lilies, cedar-covered landscapes, tea on the veranda, dirt roads and travel by sailing vessel.

In addition to the standard views of exteriors, there are occasional 'sneak peeks' of interiors, which add further insight into how rooms were used and furnished.

The careful tracing of land ownership from original grant to present patchwork is also a social history of Bermudian families and the evolution of their lifestyles: "the maintenance of old traditions into the 19th century and the rise of new practices in entertaining", for example, or how food was cooked, for another.

As in previous editions, sidebars draw attention to architectural details like porches, boating and bathing houses, the process of dating houses and their wings, and individuals like Denmark Vesey and Esau Simmons.

Following the detailed analysis of individual houses grouped by proximity or age, there is an essay by Edward Chappell on the Gentry House in Paget.

In this synthesis Mr. Chappell presents "what can be learned about the houses of the principal landowners in the parish for over three centuries".

In Paget patterns of development seen in other parishes become clearer, primarily because of the number of substantial landowners' houses and the extent to which parish assessment records have been preserved.

So though the volume is about Paget specifically, it also has relevance for the Island as a whole.

There is also a chapter devoted to one 20th century architect who did more than any other to develop an appreciation of Bermudian vernacular architecture and to revive the old Bermudian style: Wil Onions.

The chapter, which examines a number of his cottages, concludes with the observation, "Sadly, the Wil Onions' revival style does not seem to have continued … Today the trend is towards buying Bermuda-style cottages, tearing them down and building grandiose and ornate houses…"

If this trend does continue, we will at least have a record of what we've lost, thanks to the meticulous research and thoughtful observations of the Bermuda National Trust volunteer researchers, writers, and illustrators and the sponsorship of Bacardi Limited.

And maybe through their efforts we'll even begin truly to appreciate the distinctive character of Bermudian design and take steps to preserve what little remains of our architectural heritage.

Copies of Paget, priced at $40, are available at Bermuda National Trust headquarters at Waterville, Trustworthy and local bookshops.