The World Heritage Centre was officially opened yesterday as part of the Somers Day celebrations.

The museum and exhibit centre is housed at Queen's Warehouse, St. George's, following years of renovation sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.

Dignitaries and guests attended a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, after which they were invited to tour the building.

Sharon Jacobs, St. George's Foundation executive director, said: "This restoration has been seven years in the making.

"It's taken the support of many organisations to reach our goal of bringing history to life and we thank them."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney said: "Our warmest congratulations to everyone involved in helping to get this facility going. It is a wonderful facility and I hope people will appreciate just how wide its scope is.

"The reason why St. George's is a World Heritage Centre is that the history is so vivid, and the whole start of the settlement of Bermuda was a miracle.

"It must only have been a providential and powerful God they saw to preserve that ship and all 150 people on board, and the dog. They were heroes and we all realise that."

Acting Premier Derrick Burgess praised the "unique warmth" of the people of St. George's. He then congratulated the Foundation on the "wonderful job they've done in transforming the building".

"It is marvellous, a first-class job well done," said Mr. Burgess.

Mayor of St. George's, Mariea Caisey, then said: "Today we have another addition to our historic past, keeping our heritage alive. To know and be part of our ancestry is an important part of our future.

"The culmination of hard work over years by many, the St. George's Foundation is to be congratulated on their diligence and hard work to make this possible.

"This is another chapter in the book of bringing history to life."