Bermuda Biographies - In The News

in the news

January 2011

Seeking memories of Nonsuch

Nonsuch Training School for Boys, which was founded in 1934 by Arthur Tucker, helped transform the lives of more than 200 young offenders. Now Art Tucker, the founder’s grandson, is asking ‘graduates’ to share their experiences at Nonsuch on the Tucker family website. The school placed heavy emphasis on discipline and seamanship. Art Tucker, in a letter to The Royal Gazette, said the school’s success with young offenders “has lessons to teach us in the current day.” See www.bermudatuckers.com for more info.

Mary Prince story gets a lot of play

The life story of Bermudian slave Mary Prince is getting a lot of play at the Museum of London. Heart-wrenching details about her tribulations and triumphs are being presented in lectures and an exhibit and are also the subject of a new children’s play. The story was first reported by Bernews.com, which also ran a piece about Bermudian playwright and actor Ernest A.Trimingham, who is believed to the first person in the United Kingdom to stage a play with black characters. Read our biography on Mary Prince for more details.

Heritage Centre is on the money

‘Anne Willing Bingham 1764-1801’, an exhibit of early US coins, has opened at the World Heritage Centre in St. George’s. Philadelphia socialite Bingham is believed to be the model for ‘Draped Bust’ coins [pictured right], which are highly prized by collectors. She died while on a visit to Bermuda and is buried at St. Peter’s.

Flamenco at the Festival

The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts opens this month with an offering of everything from the music of Abba to flamenco. Check out the Festival website www.bermudafestival.org for more info.

Historic houses of Paget

Paget, the latest book in the Bermuda National Trust’s Architectural Heritage Series, is just out. This invaluable resource about the historic houses of Paget, written by former Royal Gazette editor David White, sells for $40 and is available at all bookstores.

Art in winter

Works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley and Dodge McKnight are on view as part of the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art’s ‘Floral Lane’ exhibit (www.bermudamasterworks.com), while the Bermuda National Gallery’s latest show, opening on January 28, features a retrospective of the work of Will Collieson.