announce

Conference and Tour

Thursday June 7 – Tuesday June 12, 2012

Commemorating the 200^th Anniversary of the War of 1812, this conference will examine Bermuda’s vital role during this conflict. Bermuda became the Royal Navy’s warm water North Atlantic base in the 1790s, supporting trade routes and colonies after Britain lost control of its American colonies and ports during the American War for Independence. Following the French and Napoleonic wars, persisting tensions with America and France escalated into maritime trade disagreements and ultimately full-scale naval conflict. Strategically ideal owing to its geography, Bermuda was the natural naval focus for the American blockade and the burning of Washington, benefiting economically as a supply base and prize court. Well after the peace treaty, Bermuda continued to be highly valued, and was indeed enlarged by the Royal Navy. The dockyard had a long history until it closed in 1951, so this is just one, albeit an important aspect of Bermuda’s naval and wider maritime heritage.

The dockyard and military defences developed at Bermuda during this intense period survive largely intact today and arguably merit World Heritage status. The National Museum of Bermuda and Naval Dockyards Society anticipate that these monuments and the Atlantic context of the War of 1812 will inspire new histories and connections during the conference. We look forward to this joint mission to promote dockyard history and heritage through a notable conference and tour.

The international conference on the theme of Bermuda Dockyard and the War of 1812 will be enhanced by Bermuda heritage tours, enriched by the expertise of National Museum of Bermuda Executive Director Dr Edward Harris and other local heritage professionals and tourism ambassadors.

Bermuda is a beautiful group of islands with a stunning coastline and a unique maritime heritage spanning five centuries. NDS conference/tours offer a niche quality experience and academic synergy, combined with value for money. We looked carefully into accommodation options and selected the Rosedon Hotel in the capitol city of Hamilton which is close to the ferry to Dockyard and other locations and receives good reviews.

Programme:

• Thursday 7 June 1^st night: Arrival (UK delegates arrive from London Gatwick 18.20 on BA2233)
• Friday 8 June Day 1 Hamilton walking and harbour tours
• Saturday 9 June Day 2 Conference at the National Museum of Bermuda
• Sunday 10 June Day 3 Dockyard tour
• Monday 11 June Day 4  St George’s tour
• Tuesday 12 June Day 5 Free time; departure (UK delegates depart at 20.10 on BA2232 to London Gatwick)
• Additional events may be arranged for some evenings