City Hall & Arts Centre
This large, whitewashed building on Church Street houses the offices of the Corporation of Hamilton. Designed by Bermudian architect Wilfred Onions and opened in 1960 it’s an attractive building, bearing no resemblance to the architectural monstrosities that sprung up in other parts of the world during this decade. A 91 foot tower is topped by a weathervane depicting Sir George Somers’ shipwrecked Sea Venture. Fountains outside the building showcase lifelike sculptures of children by the appropriately named Bermudian artist Desmond Fountain.
The building’s foyer houses an extensive stamp collection donated by Colin Benbow; a local historian, newspaper columnist and curator of the Bermuda Historical Society Museum. The foyer’s walls are adorned with portraits of mayors and a painting of Queen Elizabeth II. To the left of the foyer the City Hall Theatre hosts performances by local and international performers. A magnificent cedar staircase leads to the second floor and the Bermuda National Gallery and the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery.