4/11/2008 10:56:00 AM Under-threat school a 'hub of black Bermudian society' Blacks urged to save iconic school building — before it’s too late
part of history: Alexandrina Hall, which is under threat from development, was a popular venue for weddings, political meetings, bazaars and big band shows and plays an important role in the island’s black history. *Photo by Sirkka Huish
Meredith Ebbin
Black Bermudians are being called on to take steps to preserve their heritage in the wake of news that a building that was " a great hub of black Bermudian society for decades" is in danger of being demolished.
Lodge member Joy Wilson-Tucker said "a big chunk" of black Bermudian history is being destroyed, while the Bermuda National Trust yesterday renewed its long-standing call for buildings in Hamilton to be listed, just as they are in the rest of Bermuda.
It would mean that buildings that are deemed to be of historic or architectural importance would be protected from the wrecking ball, thus preserving them for future generations.
This all comes in the wake of news, first revealed by the Bermuda Sun on Wednesday, that Alexandrina Hall, which is owned by the Grand United Order of Oddfellows Lodge, is about to be sold to a group of developers.
Vacate the building
Dance school United Dance Productions, tenants at Alexandrina Hall for the last 17 years, has been asked to vacate the building, which is located on Court Street next to Bank of Bermuda.
Concerns that the school, which caters to 400 students and fills a cultural need in the community, could be without a home, have been superseded by a bigger picture-that if the building goes, so will a sizeable piece of black Bermudian history.
Mrs. Wilson-Tucker, a member of Mayflower Lodge on Victoria Street, who has devoted much of her energies to preserving the legacy of lodges, told the Bermuda Sun she was "totally shocked" to hear the building is being sold.
She said there is nothing her lodge can do to stop the pending sale as each lodge has its own board of trustees who are free to do with their property what they like.
But she said the founders of the lodge would roll over in their graves at the news.
"I think a big chunk of our history is being destroyed," she said. "I just think it's a sad day when we can't preserve our buildings so we can pass them on to the next generation."
Bermuda Sun columnist Larry Burchall said the whole issue needed to be looked at with a view to seeing if Alexandrina Hall could be preserved.
He said white Bermudians are more conscious of the importance of preserving their history than are black Bermudians.
"We're so busy living, we sometime forget our heritage," he said. "If we're not careful there's not going to be anything left."
Listed buildings
Margaret Lloyd, chairman of the Bermuda National Trust's historical buildings committee, said the Trust has called on Government to list buildings in Hamilton lots of times, but Government has not seen fit to do that.
She said the Alexandrina Hall, which was built in 1852, would be a candidate for listing.
Meanwhile the people at the centre of the furore would either not comment or were not available.
Leo Mills, chairman of the Oddfellows trustees, said he was unable to comment as negotiations were at a delicate stage.
Developer Ted Powell was off the island and Ramadhim Smith, who is said to be a developer as well would not comment yesterday.
The eviction notice that United Dance Productions received has been sparked by plans by Mr. Powell, through a company called Stonehaven Development, to build an office block that runs from Reid Street East round the corner to Booth Memorial Hall next door to Alexandrina Hall.
Cabinet last month issued a special development order (SDO) for the project, which does not comply with planning regulations.
According to the file at the Department of Planning, the Architectural Advisory Committee gave the proposed development the thumbs down and not just because its ten storeys are higher than what planning currently allows. The committee said the proposed building "lacked character" and also said the developers had submitted insufficient information about the impact of traffic and sewage.
Alexandrina Hall is not part of the SDO, which Culture Minister Dale Butler revealed to The Royal Gazette on Thursday while promising to talk to his Cabinet colleagues about buying the property.
He was unwilling to comment on the matter yesterday.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the history of Alexandrina Hall, spoke of how it was "a great hub of black Bermudian society for decades."
Weddings, political meetings, bazaars and big band shows were all held there.
Lodge members included Joseph Hayne Rainey, the American former slave who took refuge in Bermuda during the U.S. Civil War, and after his return to the U.S. made history by becoming the first black in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Members of Alexandrina Hall also sent a message of condolence to the U.S. when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and Mr. Rainey was the one who seconded the motion.
Mrs. Wilson-Tucker said lodges, which were formed in the first two decades after slavery ended in 1834, are an early part of black Bermudian history.
Members learned how to do accounting, conduct meetings, speak in public as well as "support widows and orphans."
"The role of the lodge is to educate, to take a good man or a good woman and make them better," she said.
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008
Comment by:
Peggy Burns
Culture Minister Butler,
WE must preserve our own history because no one else will. Listen to the deafening silence of the LOUD voices of those who protested the construction of the new hospital on the Botanical Gardens and the hotel at Loughlands. Clearly, these are indicators that they serve their own bellies. Do whatever it takes to SAVE Alexandrina Hall - another African-Bermudian significant Historical monument. My family and I give you permission to use our taxpaying dollars towards the purchase of this building. Do not allow another piece of ourstory to be erased.
The words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey: "A people without knowledge of its past is like a tree without roots".
Peggy Burns
St. David's
Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2008
Comment by:
Herbert
