Dockyard is now open to the public. Its amenities include exhibitions on both the ground and first floors. This week, with the kind assistance of Curator Charlotte Andrews, Lifestyle focuses on the historic ground floor exhibits.

Next week, the spotlight will be on the first floor art exhibition, Cruise of the HMS Vindictive, which is presented by the Bermuda Archives.

*** Judging from the public's response thus far, Commissioner's House at Dockyard, which only reopened to the public in June, seems destined to become Bermuda's hottest new attraction.

Not only does the location of this grand, newly-restored 19th century building, with its unique cast iron framework, afford magnificent views of the Dockyard environs, the surrounding waters, and distant coastlines, but also the exhibitions within its gracious walls bring aspects of history to graphic, thought-provoking life.

On the ground floor, visitors will find four exhibits related to Bermuda's rich past: two focussing on the slave trade, and one each on Portuguese-Bermudian connections and culture, and the history of the Ocean Yacht Race.

Either side of the entrance foyer, two connected exhibits look at different aspects of slavery: 1. The story of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which spanned almost four centuries and uprooted an estimated 25 million blacks, and 2. Slavery in Bermuda.

Through text, images and artifacts, the first exhibit describes the development of the enormous trade system between Europe, Africa and the New World colonies, beginning in the 15th century. Highlighted is the development of an internal slave trade in Africa, and later across the Atlantic; the incredible suffering endured during the Middle Passage, which carried slaves from Africa to the Americas; and the experience of slavery in the Americas for those who survived the journey. Artifacts from three wreck sites in Bermuda waters -- the San Pedro , La Viga and the `Manila wreck'-- connect Bermuda to the trade.

Among the recovered trading items from these wrecks are glass beads, cowry shells and manila bracelets, as well as slave restraints and weaponry used on board ships -- reminders all of the reality of the grim slave trade.

A look at Bermuda's past The second, connected exhibit is entitled Two Hundred Years of Slavery in Bermuda.

Introduced soon after the Island's settlement in 1612, slavery was an integral part of local society until 1834. Despite a conspicuous lack of original artifacts (save Bermuda National Trust ceramics from Stewart Hall, St.

George's, a dwelling of slaves and slave holders), information, images and materials from the Bermuda Archives and other local sources tell about the unique conditions of Bermudian slave society, including the domestic, artisan, and maritime occupations of Bermudian slaves, as well as the faith, resistance and solidarity of slaves and free blacks.

Both of the foregoing exhibits are based on the research of Dr. Clarence Maxwell, Director of Historical Research at the Museum.

The Azores and Bermuda exhibit highlights the Portuguese-Bermudian connections and culture since 1543. From the `European Age of Discovery' in the 16th century to the arrival of the first Portuguese immigrants in 1849, and on to the modern era, Portuguese-Bermudians have made a significant impact on the Island.

On display is a life-size version of `Portuguese Rock,' also known as Spanish Rock, along with farming equipment, furniture, craft and other items indicative of Portuguese-Bermudian faith, solidarity and culture.

Finally, through films, artifacts, models, photos and navigational charts, the exhibit: To Bermuda -- a history of the Bermuda Race, traces the thrills, spills, successes and more of the legendary "thrash to the Onion Patch,'' in which thousands of sailors have participated since its inception in 1906.

Highlights include material on the sailors and their boats, yacht design, safety at sea, navigating the tricky Gulf Stream, the important roles of the the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of America, as well as material on Bermuda's veteran sailors, and more.

"We hope visitors and locals alike will come up to the Maritime Museum to see the Commissioner's House exhibits, which tell about important aspects of Bermuda's past and people, and give a good taste of what is still to come inside the newly-opened building,'' says Curator Charlotte Andrews.

Grim Reminders: Portraits of Bermudian and American slaves are a foretaste of the exhibits on slavery in rooms adjoining the entrance foyer of Commissioner's House at Dockyard.

Symbols of the Past: Farm implements and domestic artifacts are part of the exhibit tracing the history of the Portuguese-Bermudian connection over 500 years.

Winning Trophy: A model of the 81-foot sloop Nirvana recalls owner Marvin Green, Jr.'s triumph in the 1982 Newport-Bermuda Ocean Yacht Race. It is one of many exhibits focusing on the popular "thrash to the Onion Patch,'' which began in 1906.