Museums do more than preserve artefacts. They are powerful centres for learning, keepers of memory, and knowledge generators and sharers. They are also critical in shaping identity, strengthening communities, and are places that spark the imagination.

In times of uncertainty, people turn to stories, spaces and shared histories to feel grounded. That is why museums have never been more relevant or more essential. In a world that feels increasingly fast-moving and unpredictable, places such as the National Museum of Bermuda offer something essential — perspective, connection and a deeper understanding of who we are.

Located in Bermuda’s largest fort at the Royal Naval Dockyard, the National Museum of Bermuda is a custodian of a 16-acre property with 11 historical buildings. For 50 years, the museum has conducted and facilitated archaeological investigations and historical research, and built a collection of more than 80,000 objects reflecting 500 years of Bermuda history and culture. In 2024, we welcomed more than 72,000 visitors — including upwards of 15,000 young people — offering experiences that make Bermuda’s diverse history accessible, inclusive and meaningful. Through our exhibitions, educational programmes and community initiatives, we are cultivating culturally literate, critically thinking individuals.

The museum also serves as a dynamic educational resource, offering free programmes to students, teachers and lifelong learners. Through our Early Years Programme, we use play and inquiry-based learning to introduce Bermuda’s youngest learners to the island’s maritime heritage. Through our hands-on Learning Labs, middle school students engage with Bermuda’s past using primary sources and object-based learning to develop historical-thinking skills. Moving the Needle, our teacher professional development initiative, has trained nearly 200 educators in teaching methods that encourage empathy, critical thinking and connection. One teacher described it as “Awesome! …An invaluable learning experience that raises the bar for teaching history”.

The museum’s internship programme — our longest-running educational initiative — has provided hands-on experience in museum work and heritage management for hundreds of students. Many of our interns have gone on to work in cultural institutions both locally and internationally, shaping the next generation of heritage stewards.

Our outreach efforts go beyond the classroom. Community-centred initiatives such as Portuguese Voices, The Bermuda Family Scrapbook and The Objects That Make Us use storytelling to reflect Bermuda’s diversity and ensure all residents see themselves in our shared history. Participants share stories about their family photographs and personal artefacts that challenge the traditional historical record, making space for underrepresented voices and experiences.

As one participant in The Objects That Make Us initiative shared: “Thank you for the opportunity… Sharing this story was emotional and meaningful — I’d never expressed it in words before.”

The museum also supports personal and collective discovery through programmes like Tracing Our Roots/Routes, which helps Bermudians explore family histories through workshops and online presentations. Our use of digital platforms has helped to broaden accessibility and participation, ensuring that our work reaches people where they are.

Every February, we open our doors for free to thousands of residents and host our annual Community Day filled with cultural activities, art, music and cannon fire — ensuring that cost is not a barrier to engaging with Bermuda’s past.

At the museum, we are not only preserving the past but we are cultivating a living legacy that invites participation, encourages dialogue and strengthens our community. To better connect with Bermuda’s heritage, we invite you to visit us, participate in our programmes, become a member or volunteer. Together, we can ensure that Bermuda’s history remains vibrant, inclusive and alive for generations to come.

• Elena Strong is the executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda. The museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm). Visitwww.nmb.bm/book-visit for more information