City Seeks Historic Photos Of Fort Hamilton
The City of Hamilton is seeking old photos, illustrations, and personal stories from the public to help uncover Fort Hamilton’s history and enhance future visitor displays as part of ongoing renovation efforts.
A spokesperson said, “As renovation and improvement efforts continue at Fort Hamilton, the City of Hamilton is calling on the public to help uncover more of the fort’s history by sharing old photographs, illustrations, and personal stories. These materials will provide valuable insight into the fort’s past and help shape future visitor displays.
“Fort Hamilton, built by the British in the 1870s, was purchased by the City in 1926. Over the years, it has served various roles—from a military installation to the headquarters of the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps [BVRC] and even temporary housing for Portuguese workers in the 1930s. Today, the City remains committed to its preservation.
Architectural plans of the fort’s “Guthrie Rolling Bridge”. Courtesy of the National Museum of Bermuda.
“Recent archaeological investigations have already uncovered fascinating discoveries, including the remains of 19th-century outhouse structures near the fort entrance. Florence Laino, Archaeological Project Manager for the City, has led these excavations, highlighting the importance of undertaking archaeological fieldwork as part of the planning and development process.”
Ms. Laino has also been researching the fort’s past, piecing together the stories of those who lived and worked there. She is seeking the public’s help in gaining further insights into:
- The properties and families who lived on the land before it was requisitioned by the War Department.
- The daily lives of the soldiers stationed at the fort.
- The activities of the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps [1902-1922].
- The fort’s transformation into a public attraction following its purchase by the Corporation.
An early photograph of the fort entrance, and the only 19th century photograph of the fort currently known to the Corporation. Courtesy of Edward Harris.
“We’ve come across very few historical photographs or illustrations of the fort, and I’m certain there are more out there in the collections of Bermudian families,” said Ms. Laino. “Images are a window into the past, helping us understand how the fort has changed over time. It would be phenomenal if we could incorporate some of this material into future displays at the fort.
“We are also eager to gather personal stories from Bermudians, reaching as far back as the 1800s if memories have been passed down through generations. More recent accounts are just as valuable—records from 1935 confirm that Portuguese workers were housed at the Fort, though the exact timeline of their departure remains unclear. Some may have lived there as late as the 1960s. This represents a significant yet largely undocumented chapter in the Fort’s history, and we would like to share their story too. A 1935 record notes that ‘wooden huts and chicken coops’ had been ‘constructed by or for the Portuguese labourers,’ offering a glimpse into their lives at the fort.”
The spokesperson said, “The Corporation is seeking:
- Photographs or illustrations of the land and properties before the fort’s construction [pre-1866].
- Family stories from those who lived on the hill before the War Department took the land.
- Pre-1960s photographs showing life inside the fort.
- Stories of the fort from former members of the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps.
- Accounts from Portuguese workers who lived at the fort from the 1930s onward, or their family members.
A 19th Century view of the eastern limit of Hamilton, appears to show the eastern boundary of the fort prior to its construction. Records from the Bermuda Archives name landowners including Dickinson, Webb, Swan, Stiles, White, Morris, Darrell, Tucker and Rollings, who had properties on this land. Courtesy of Edward Harris.
“Any information gathered through this crowdsourcing effort will complement existing records from the Bermuda Government Archives, the National Museum of Bermuda, the Bermuda National Trust and the personal collection of Edward Harris, all of whom have been invaluable partners in providing historical insights for this project.
“In addition to the archaeological work underway at the fort, City Parks Department Gardener Seth Pearman has been dedicated to removing invasive plant species as part of an ongoing program to maintain the existing structures.
“A final phase of archaeological excavation will follow as construction progresses, with the goal of preserving the fort’s legacy for future generations.
“If you or your family have materials to contribute, please email the City at forthamilton@cityhall.bm.”
