Art & Tours On Offer At Fort Albert In St George’s

March 15, 2024 | 0 Comments

Fort Albert is set to reopen with art from the Bermuda Plein Air Group and guided tours by Peter Barrett.

A spokesperson said, “When you say the name Fort Albert, most residents will ask ‘who?’ Fort Victoria is a disused British Army fort, built to house coastal artillery atop Retreat Hill within St. George’s Garrison at the north east of St. George’s Island.

“The fort shares its hilltop location with Fort Victoria, and the pair were named after Her Majesty Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. Both forts were built in 1842 by the British Army to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard and other strategic assets in Bermuda.

“The Bermuda Arts Centre has been watching the St. Georges Foundation bring Fort Albert back to life by clearing out invasive trees and shrubs, cleaning the fort itself and making it safe and accessible. With a view that Bermuda’s art and history go hand in hand, we approached Peter Barrett, Chairman of the Bermuda St. Georges Foundation to see if he would be interested in an event to bring art and history together in celebrating the opening year of Fort Albert.

“A partnership was formed, and an interesting event was formed.

“The Bermuda Plein Air Group which runs under the umbrella of the Bermuda Arts Centre, will be painting at and in the fort throughout the afternoon. Often you may be able to purchase a painting right off the easel. There will be vendors at the event selling a variety of artistic creations from jewellery to paintings. All proceeds from sales will be split between The Bermuda Arts Centre and The St. Georges Foundation.

“A free tour of the fort itself will be offered at 1:30 by Peter Barrett, who will bring forward the tales, stories and incredible history of this forgotten fort, as you circle the moat and enter the tunnels below. If you have a flashlight please bring it.