Verdmont

Verdmont was built around 1710 for a Bermudian merchant and it survived almost untouched: no electricity, no plumbing and no significant modernisation were ever installed, so the house stands with its original panelling, cedar staircase and eight fireplaces as it was built. The National Trust acquired it in 1951 and furnished it with Bermudian cedar and English pieces of the period. The garden holds old fruit trees and a cedar avenue.

Background

The house, at 6 Verdmont Lane in Smith's Parish, sits on top of Collector's Hill and has been a museum of the Bermuda National Trust since 1956. In the 17th century the land belonged to William Sayle, who left Bermuda in 1670. John Dickinson, a shipowner, built the house, and the painter and judge John Green was among its later owners. It has four large chimneys. It holds English and Chinese porcelain, Bermuda portraits and antique furniture of Bermuda axlewood. The period-style gardens, with roses, herbs and other plants grown in the 18th century, look over the south shore. Verdmont is listed on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, which belongs to the Slave Route Project of UNESCO.

Source: Wikipedia, "Verdmont"

The main sights

• The untouched interior - a house that never received electricity or plumbing.
• The cedar staircase - the original woodwork at the centre of the house.
• The Bermudian furniture - the cedar pieces the Trust furnished it with.
• The garden - the old fruit trees and cedars around the house.

When to go

Year round; opening is limited to a few days a week and should be checked. Cruise season brings more visitors. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Things to know

Opening days are limited and hours short. The house is small and the visit under an hour. There is no lighting inside, so a dull day makes it dim.

Nearby

Spittal Pond is south, and Flatts is north.

Key facts