The National Museum of Bermuda (NMB) is opening its doors for free to all Bermuda residents during the month of February. This year, Free for February is generously sponsored by BF&M. This marks the ninth year of this free community programme and visitor numbers have been growing each year, with 2021 the most highly attended year to date.
Abigail Clifford, President, and COO of BF&M Limited, explained: “We are very proud of BF&M’s century-old heritage, and we care about protecting and showcasing Bermuda’s history. We believe that sharing the island’s legacy and diverse, rich stories with the broader community is important, so we are excited to sponsor Free for February for our community and support the National Museum. We encourage everyone to visit the Museum this February and enjoy the many activities on offer.”
NMB Executive Director Elena Strong said: “We are thrilled to have the support of BF&M, marking the first year that this popular community offering has been sponsored. Non-profit and private partnerships like this are so important to allow NMB to carry out its work. Being able to continue opening our doors for free in February allows us to better connect residents to Bermuda’s past so that learning Bermuda history can be a part of every educational journey on island.”
Throughout the month, NMB will roll out free activity guides for small groups and family bubbles, following COVID-19 guidelines. Activities will feature close-looking, critical thinking, and reflection exercises to help visitors dive deeper into the Museum’s collection and Bermuda’s history. Guides and more information can be found at the Museum’s Ticket Office. Additionally, yoga teacher Lisa Wingood will be offering a free yoga class at the Museum. Visit www.nmb.bm or social media to learn more.
With over 80,000 artifacts in its collection, NMB’s exhibits cover a range of diverse topics including Bermuda’s cultural links with the West Indies and Azores, trans-Atlantic slavery, and slavery in Bermuda, Bermuda’s defence heritage, shipwrecks and early Bermuda settlement, the building of Dockyard and much more. NMB’s 16-acre property also contains jaw-dropping views, massive cannon, local watercraft, a stunning mural, and a children’s playground.
NMB Advancement Officer Katie Bennett said: “in addition to our permanent collection, highlights at NMB include our newest contemporary art exhibition Traces and Pastimes by local artist Gherdai Hassell which traces Ms. Hassell’s family history back to West Africa through stunning, colorful installations that transform the first floor of Commissioner’s House. I also encourage everyone in Bermuda to visit the second floor of the House to see the 2021 Dr. Reg Grundy Annual Youth Photography Competition finalists – all photographs are by local students aged 7-18 and the calibre is truly incredible. For those who can’t visit in person, we have so much digital content on www.nmb.bm, from genealogy toolkits, to lecture recordings, teacher resources and much more.”
Upon entry during the month of February, Bermuda residents can enter a weekly raffle to win a free family membership. NMB member benefits include: unlimited free admission, the popular magazine MARITimes, 10% discount on all NMB publications, access to genealogy research, invitations to special events, savings at participating Dockyard restaurants, Dolphin Quest and Keep the Flow yoga classes, and reciprocal membership to maritime museums affiliated with the International Congress of Maritime Museums.
To take advantage of Free for February, Bermuda residents should bring proof of residency such as driver’s license or utility bill.
NMB is a collective voice for and about Bermuda. Through collections, exhibits, and programmes, the Museum offers insights into contemporary issues and is one of the Island’s leading educational resources sharing Bermuda’s diverse history, culture, and heritage. NMB promotes history and culture as part of what helps to keep communities together and makes them stronger. NMB is open every day 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm). Visit nmb.bm/visit/planning-your-visit for more information, including COVID visitor guidelines.
