After more than three years of research and toil, the Bermudian Heritage Association (BHA) has now opened its Samaritans' Building Museum at the foot of Barrack Hill in St. George's.

Highlighting the contributions made by the black people of Bermuda to the Island's history, the museum is set in the historic, mid-19th century, two-storeyed Samaritans' Lodge Building.

The St. George's branch of the Independent Order of Good Samaritans originally met in a store until 1900, when it purchased a storehouse built by John Davenport around 1884 and named it Samaritans' Lodge. By 1970, the chapter had lapsed.

By arrangement with the Bermuda National Trust -- which subsequently acquired the building -- it has been leased and restored by the Association. This included the installation of an inside staircase, repaired walls, floors and windows.

The lower floor, named the Eagle Room, displays a variety of general artefacts and a gift shop, while the upper floor Red Room -- dedicated to the memory of the late Cyril Packwood, one of the Association's founders -- hosts an exhibit on Bermuda's Friendly Societies. More exhibitions are planned for the future.

Explaining the exhibits, treasurer Boyd Smith says, "The various Lodges have three tier levels -- Juvenile, Regular and District Lodges. Above that is the Unity of the Order, the headquarters of which are in England.'' Mr. Smith, a past provincial grandmaster and now the permanent secretary of the Loyal Flower of Day Lodge, says Bermuda's black women also played an important role in the establishment and running of the Lodges and points out their velvet sashes trimmed with gold, encrusted with symbolic doves denoting `peace and reconciliation'.'' Also on show are a variety of Lodge colours and regalia of apron, white gloves, velvet sash and `star' emblem -- a replica of the order instituted in 1837 and bearing the Latin inscription of `Friendship, Love and Truth'.

There is a collection of photographs of many of the original Lodges. These include the Independent Order of Good Samaritans and its sister organisation, the Daughters of Samaria and the Princess Louise Lodge 12 (all founded in 1876), Hannibal Lodge (a black Freemasons' Lodge and the fifth oldest on the Island), Abercorn Lodge (1908), Loyal Irresistible Lodge (1883), Victoria and Albert Lodge (1852), Order of Ancient Shepherds Lodge, Harrington United Friendly Society (1896) and the Alexandrian Lodge (1852).

Emphasising the museum is still very much "a work in progress', and that Bermudians are being urged to help financially and by donating artefacts, Association president and St. George's alderman Ross Smith says, "the Association is a living entity in that this museum is a major project -- but only one of our projects. It will provide a place to display the information we get together as we continue to look at the significant role that blacks have played in the evolution of Bermuda.'' The Friendly Societies came into being as a result of the proclamation of emancipation by Britain in 1834. After discussions among the free blacks and slaves it was felt that some kind of benevolent organisation which would help them manage their affairs, was essential.

"The concept of `friendly societies' came from England -- some of the earliest members were members of the British military -- and the US. The function in Bermuda, as in those countries, was to help people in the general improvement of their lives.

There was a charitable aspect in that emphasis was placed on assistance to widows and orphans, but the main thrust was to help with the rudiments of everyday life that became necessary after emancipation.

They helped people to read, write, save money, understand the basics of business and to help the less fortunate.'' Other services included job training, small loans and funeral insurance.

Mr. Smith points out that the Pride of India Lodge, affiliated with the US, was founded in 1848 -- and celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. "The first meeting was held under a Pride of India tree, and was incorporated in St. George's, and then moved to Shinbone Alley before they purchased this building, which was then a warehouse -- and re-named it as Samaritans' Lodge.'' The Societies became so successful that, at one time, over 30 were established from one end of the Island to the other. One of the first and most urgent tasks, Mr. Smith reveals, was to help people build structures, as, after emancipation some former slaves suddenly found themselves with nowhere to live.

"They also did a lot, politically, as anyone who wanted to stand in any kind of election certainly needed the Friendly Societies on their side -- they taught the basics of such things as protocol and procedure.'' Because of the Societies, says Mr. Smith, people also began to meet socially, playing games and holding sporting activities: "So you would have St.

George's and Somerset playing cricket games and that evolved into Cup Match -- which in turn, became an important economic factor in Bermuda and, I believe is unique in that Bermuda is the only country that has a public holiday in honour of cricket.'' Mr. Smith, an insurance and investment consultant, said it was also through the Friendly Societies that the concept of insurance came to Bermuda as long ago as the 1800s.

Downstairs in the museum, there is a model of a slave cottage made by Eugene Tucker and his wife, Joy Wilson Tucker, who is vice president and chairman of the artifacts committee.

There is a model of slave Mary Prince, and a cedar sculpture by Hubie Spence entitled `Minna'. This refers to the story, recounted by Cyril Packwood in `Chained to the Rock', of the slave woman who was given her freedom for saving her mistress's life after she had choked on a fishbone.

Also on view is a collection of cedar by sculptor David Ifor Nisbett, a tapestry from Dame Marjorie Bean, a `news' corner displaying cuttings from old newspapers and various donated items.

The museum, which hopes to work closely with Bermuda's schools, is happy to set up pre-arranged visits. Off-season opening hours (through April 30) for the general public is Wednesdays and Saturdays (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Opening hours will be extended in the summer. Admission is $4, $2 for children and students (in uniform) and free for children under five.