The St. George's Experience
Bridge House
Located in St. George Bermuda behind Kings Square, Bridge House is one of the oldest buildings of the island built in the 1690s. The house which looks almost new, used to be the residence of the governors during early times when Bermuda was a British colony.
One of the well known mid 1700 residents of the house was privateer Bridger Goodrich who came from Virginia and was a loyalist to the king. He purchased the Bridge House for $1,000 in cash. He was known for blocking America's sea trade along Bermuda's waters. He also captured local vessels even violating the legislation that was already in place then.
The house was named Bridge House since there is a small wooden bridge on the opposite side leading to the St. George's Harbor. Bridge House is now split up into an art gallery with a studio and a Bed & Breakfast guest apartment. The gallery, which belongs to the Bermuda National Trust, has many collections and antiques, including original & rare paintings, and locally made crafts.
There is also a studio inside belonging to the famous Bermudian artist Jill Amos Raine who has been known for his great watercolor paintings. Bridge House Gallery is open on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.
Information Provided by http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda2_0000d7.htm
Banana Manor
Originally called Lough House, the Banana Manor's name was changed in the 20th century. It won the 2003 "Bermuda In Bloom Best Garden in the Parish" Award, and it is privately-owned, and not open to the general public. The manor is a historic house in the Town of St. George built by one of the town's most prominent 18th-century citizens - the Honorable Dr. George Forbes, originally from Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, west of Aberdeen, in Scotland. Born in 1705, probably on or about August 22 (baptized on August 24) in 1734, he earned a medical degree from the University of Aberdeen, specializing in "phisick and surgery." He emigrated to Bermuda shortly after his graduation, as a medical doctor.
He brought with him recommendations from his relatives Lord Forbes, the Duchess of Gordon and his kinsman, Lord Gordon, Sir Arthur Forbes and Sir Duncan Forbes. In Bermuda, he fell in love with, and married, Mary Jones, daughter of Francis Jones, a prominent local merchant, councilor, militia general and frequently Bermuda's President (leading legislator, president of the legislative counsel).
In 1759 he was made the Honorable George Forbes. He purchased Paget Island - then called Paget Ford Island and 36.35 acres - in St. George's Parish for sixty pounds sterling. There is a large tomb in his honor on the left, shortly after you enter the ancient church of St. Peter's in the old town of St. George.
The Honorable George Forbes' descendants today include Forbes family members of Sydney, Bermuda, Scotland, England, South Africa and Forbes wineries in Victoria, Australia. Some time later, the house was passed on to a member of the Lough family which descended from the Forbes family of Bermuda. During the American Civil War it was leased by the Confederate military agent in Bermuda, Major Norman Stuart Walker, and his family. Lough House was where a son of Major and Mrs Walker was born on June 15, 1863, and at the special request of Mrs. Walker, a Confederate flag was ceremoniously draped over her lying-in bed. Later, it had various owners including F. C. Outerbridge, and at one point was subdivided. It is now owned by a member of the Hayward family originally from St. David's.
Information provided by http://www.bermuda-online.org/historichouses.htm
Stewart Hall
One of the largest of St. George’s early 18th century houses, this important property has been owned, and often rented, during the last three centuries by some of the most prominent and influential families in Bermuda. Today the property is owned by the Bermuda National Trust and is now the home of the Bermuda Perfumery. The building has a lot of original woodwork although it was restored about forty years ago.
Information provided by http://www.stgeorgesfoundation.org/education/digital-field-trip/stewart-hall/
Stiles House
Long history began when the St. George’s Vestry donated land to construct a substantial two storey stone house on the site. The house served as a mess for British troops during the American Revolution and was the home of Captain Thomas Hurd when he surveyed the waters around Bermuda in the 1790s. In the 1800s Walter Stennett used the property as a hotel, tavern and coffee house. Thereafter, the building returned to a private residence and hotel.
The building is now owned by the Bank of N.T. Butterfield and houses their St. George’s branch (opened in 1940).
Information provided by http://www.stgeorgesfoundation.org/education/digital-field-trip/stiles-house/