Visitors and residents alike can learn more about the history that has shaped Bermuda over the past 500 years by visiting St. George?s newest attraction an orientation centre with interactive displays.

The second phase of the World Heritage Centre in the restored Queen?s Warehouse was opened by Deputy Premier Ewart Brown last night. Guests took a walk-through tour of displays charting Bermuda?s history from the pre-settled era the ending of slavery in the 1800s.

There is a life-size recreation of the deck of the Sea Venture as she floundered in the storm that brought the first settlers to the Island, and another exhibit features a model whale?s tail and a Bermudian fisherman poised with a harpoon.

Amongst the static displays is a life-size giant turtle, a few cahows looking down from rocky perches and a miniature model of how St. George?s is thought to have looked in 1620.

Children and the young at heart are able to dress up in period costumes from bygone days in a special activity corner of the Orientation Exhibits Gallery.

On the walls of the gallery are displays charting the events that shaped Bermuda?s evolution from an uninhabited paradise to a prosperous and remote colony.

Performing the official opening Tourism Minister Dr. Brown hinted at more exciting develops to come for St. George?s.

He said it was the beginning of an awakening for the town that would leave even the worst of the ?doubting Thomases? re-thinking their doubts.

Mentioning the former Club Med hotel site he said: ?We are well on our way in respect of that site,? but did not go into any more detail.

Mr. Brown added: ?St. George?s is a special place for anyone who knows Bermuda. I believe we are about to see more life coming into the town. The economy of St. George?s will change forever when these new developments start.?

Along with his wife Wanda Henton Brown, area members of Parliament Dame Jennifer Smith and Dean Foggo, he was taken on a guided tour of the exhibit by the designers Paul Shapiro and Rosemary Jones.

Mr. Shapiro said it had taken since last September to design and build the exhibits, using local craftsmen and talent as much as possible, including having Bermudian actors record the audio soundtracks that are played in some parts of the gallery.

The exhibition is part of the St. George?s Foundation?s work to restore the Queen?s Warehouse on Pennos Wharf and create a World Heritage Centre.

As the World Heritage Centre is completed the plan is to open a small shop on the ground floor and, if all goes to plan, have the Visitor Service Bureaux move into the building to oversee the use of the gallery.

The public will get an opportunity to see the gallery this Friday between 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. during the Somers Evening event in the town.

It is hoped to also have the gallery open during special days this summer and eventually opened on a more permanent basis.