Believed to be the oldest standing Parliamentary building in the New World, the State House was established by Governor Nathaniel Butler in 1620 and was the first building in Bermuda to be built of Bermuda stone.

Begun in 1612, it took eight years to build and has stood the test of time.

This year it has undergone extensive restoration under the lead of Eric Laing, secretary of The Old State House Preservation Society.On May 5, of this year a feature about its dire state of repair appeared in The Royal Gazette’s <$>Town Crier. Mr. Laing was busy conducting a major fund-raising campaign to preserve the historic building, vital to St. George’s, our World Heritage Site.

Mr. Laing was successful in his passionate appeal to the public and the building has undergone a successful programme of restoration.

The sum of over $100,000 dollars was raised toward renovations. The building was totally repainted, the upper storey and shutters were redone and built to replicate in traditional fashion.

The wooden frames around the window sills were found to be as good as ever and the wooden blinds are painted in the traditional dark green colour. The electrical system was totally modernised and the plumbing brought up to 2005 standards.

Many people went through the State House on the December 2, National Trust Walkabout. It was reported that about 1,000 or more people went through it in a couple of hours.

One of the first visitors who came through paid a true indirect compliment to Mr. Laing when he asked: “What have you spent the money on? It looks just the same as always.”

Mr. Laing explained the many renovations and was quick to praise the art of the workmen who made it look as it was so long ago. The Bermuda craftsmen were J.S. Harris & Co and Wilbur Pitt Carpentry.

He said: “A new Sanyo inverter was installed in a manner keeping the building lovely to the eye. There is now also plenty of exterior lighting around the building.

“The old pump room is 10,000 times better and up to code. Before, it was a mess of band- aid repairs and patches here and there. Today it can be said to be of 2005 standards.

“This building will now remain in ‘good health’ for at least another 100 years for Bermuda and our visitors.

“Certainly the Preservation Society will assist. These renovations will provide a means of income to provide maintenance for the future. The donations made it possible.”

This project has shown what can be accomplished when a dedicated mind believes in a passionate cause. All who contributed towards this reality are to be commended.

It was a most complex undertaking which resulted in the rebirth of this famous monument, our State House, at the top of the hill.

The building will be 400 years old in 2012 and this is the second major restoration in its history.The first took place in 1970 when the building was restored to as close to its 1620 state as possible.If you would like to make a contribution towards the renovations and future preservation efforts of the Old State House please send it to “OSHPS” Suite 898, 48 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11.