Photos,Video: City Celebrates 200th Anniversary

January 16, 2015

[Updated with video] Earlier today [Jan 16], the City of Hamilton celebrated their 200th Anniversary of becoming the capital of Bermuda, with the festivities including reenactments by both the Town Criers as well as performing arts group Troika.

Those in attendance included Governor George Fergusson, Premier Michael Dunkley, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy, Hamilton Mayor Graeme Outerbridge, St George’s Mayor Garth Rothwell, and the Bishop of Bermuda Rt Revd Nicholas Dill.

In describing the City’s history, the City’s website says, “The original Town of Hamilton was incorporated by an Act of the Bermuda Legislature in 1793. Located in a sheltered harbour in the central parishes, it was named in honour of the then Governor, Captain Henry Hamilton, who had strongly supported the creation of a town in the centre of the island which could better serve the needs of Bermuda’s expanding population.

“Hamilton quickly became the capital of Bermuda when the seat of Government was transferred from St. George’s in 1815.

“Following the completion of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, situated some 400 yards east of the present City Hall, the status of City was conferred upon the Town of Hamilton in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

“The area comprising the City of Hamilton, one of the smallest cities in the world, is 185 acres, with a resident population of 1,800 and an estimated daytime population of approximately 13,340 [40% of Bermuda's working population].”

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