My earliest memory of the Museum is visiting it as a child for the annual Guy Fawkes celebration, a time when the museum grounds came alive with the crackle of a bonfire and the fizz of fireworks, casting an aura of magic over the historic setting. As the Curator now entrusted with the preservation of both the museum’s buildings and collections, I have a slight sense of relief that that particular event, with its floating embers and potential risks, no longer takes place.
Little did I know then, that this museum would one day become an integral part of my life.
Many years later, in 2005, I embarked on a summer internship at the Bermuda Maritime Museum (now NMB). Tasked with researching the Dockyard Apprentice program, I found myself captivated by the stories of maritime heritage and the cultural fabric it represented. It was here, amidst archival documents and oral histories, that I started to seriously think about the prospect of pursuing a career in museum work.
The seeds of curiosity and wonder sown in those early connections with the Museum would eventually blossom into a lifelong passion for history and heritage, guiding me on a journey that would lead me back to this very place as its curator.
Reflecting on my memories and stories of the Museum, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me. And though the flames of that Guy Fawkes bonfire may have long since faded, the spark of curiosity it ignited within me continues to burn brightly, illuminating the path that lies ahead.