The Bermudian Heritage Museum uniquely showcases the many accomplishments of black Bermudians and gives the visitor a significant insight into Bermuda history.

There is a notable focus on those who formed and served in Bermuda's early lodges and independent orders.

It is a relatively new museum, which opened March 8, 1998, in St. George's on York and Water Streets. It is set in the historic, brown two-storied Samaritans' Lodge Building at the foot of Barrack Hill.

The exhibits are quite fascinating and educational and are artistically displayed with careful consideration.

One is immediately aware of all the research which goes into a project of this magnitude.

The eye is drawn to the collections of old photographs and the handmade artifacts.

The first sculpture on the lower floor, the Eagle Room, to catch your eye is that of "Minna, the slave girl crafted in Bermuda Cedar by local artisan Hubert Spence.

She stands as a reminder of the struggle of slavery. She is dedicated to the memory of the late Cyril Outerbridge Packwood noted historian, author, librarian and founding member of the facility.

Minna is a slave mentioned in Mr. Packwood's book, "Chained on the Rock''. He writes that her master was James Love in the late 18th century and her mistress, Mrs. Love, harshly treated her.

Following breakfast Mrs. Love swallowed a fish bone and died and was immediately buried. The following is an excerpt from the book: "Mrs. Love wore a valuable ring which Minna always admired and now she was determined to possess it. She secretly visited the grave of her mistress and there Minna gave vent to her feeling.

"She began striking the body on the back with her fist and then removed the ring amidst some difficulty. Suddenly a voice spoke, `Minna, Minna you would not hurt me Minna!' "She made haste from the grave with her mistress close at her heels. Once again she was severely punished and bore the marks afterwards. However, because of the sudden return of Mrs. Loved from the dead, Minna was granted her freedom by a most grateful Mr. Love.'' There is a model of a slave cottage made by Eugene Tucker and his wife, Joy Wilson Tucker, vice president and chairman of the artifacts committee.

Other slaves mentioned include Mary Prince and Sarah (Sally) Bassett. One can read the famous legend about Sally Bassett who was owned by a blacksmith, Francis Dickinson of Southampton parish. By 1729 she was considered old and placed on the auction block. She instructed her granddaughter, Beck in the use of poisons who was to poison her owners.

Sarah Basset was later arrested on June 2, 1730, found guilty and burned at the stake on June 6, 1970 at the foot of Crow Lane, Hamilton. She declared herself innocent. Beck was sparred a horrific death and was punished and fined.

There is an original oil painting `Victory Dance', by Robert Basset donated by the Bermuda Senior Active Club and a colourful exhibit featuring Bermuda's Gombey Troupes.

Well known troupes include Warner's Gombeys, Norford's, the Shakey Smith Troupe, Richardson's and Wilson's Troupe. The display depicts some of the costumes worn by the dancers and musicians.

Bermuda's first black nurses are given a salute in a display highlighting some of the first black Bermudian women who broke the colour barrier and served as nurses and midwives.

The late Nurse Sylvia Richardson of St. George's became the first black Bermudian to work at the Health Department in 1947 and was the first Duty Nurse to become a health visitor. Rena Smith was the first black private duty nurse and Nurse Seedie Williams delivered as many as 7,062 babies.

There is a replica of the American ship, ` The Enterprise ', which was driven by gale force winds into a Bermuda harbour carrying a cargo of 78 slaves in the 1800s. Most were mothers and young children.

They were en route from Alexandria, Virginia to Charleston, South Carolina.

They were rescued and taken to court and offered freedom.

In Bermuda slaves were granted their freedom on August 1, 1834 better known as Emancipation Day.

This was a startling event as more than 50 slaves were children and 33 had been taken from their parents.

The museum displays a list of all persons who were abroad the ship.

Historical sources say that the first black person in Bermuda was Venturilla, a crewman on a Spanish ship driven into Bermuda by a storm in 1603 - six years prior the wreck of the Sea Venture.

There is an old kitchen safe donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Simmons. It is over 50 years old and was made by Percival Dill.

Nearby is a pitcher and basin donated by Cecil Butterfield, descendent of Marhaley Warfield from the slave ship, "Enterprise''.

The beautiful and intricate cedar animals carved by David Ifor Nisbett are alluring to the beholder. Mr. Nisbett is the youngest person to participate in an all Negro exhibition at the Alexandria Hall in 1949 and was the third place winner. He was taught by Chesley Trott.

There is a display depicting the origins of Cup Match, Bermuda's largest annual sporting event. It began as a cricket game between two orders of the Friendly Societies following the abolition of slavery in 1834. The event has been a legal, two day holiday since about 1944.

Boyd Smith, the treasurer, is a lively tour guide, and offers a wealth of knowledge to the visitor about the various displays and the rich history . He tells about the Lodges and explains the meaningful colours of the costumes.

Many photographs of the original Lodges abound.

The Pride of India Lodge was founded in 1848 and the first meeting was held under a Pride of India tree and was incorporated in St. George's. It was moved to Shinbone Alley before they purchased the current building, which was a warehouse and renamed it Samaritans' Lodge.

Mr. Smith said: "We are a work in progress and are continually adding historical artifacts and photographs.'' Opening hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 3 pm and the phone is: 297-4126.

A statue of Minna the Slave: Created by local artisan, Hubert Spence, Minna is crafted in Bermuda cedar. The museum dedicated her to the memory of the late Cyril Outerbridge Packwood.