After three years of planning, research, renovation and rehabilitation by the St. David's Island Historical Society, Carter House is now Bermuda's first museum devoted exclusively to the history and peoples of the Island's easternmost end, and what a fascinating collection of information, artifacts and memorabilia it contains.

Thanks to Society president Richard Spurling and his museum committee (Ronnie Chameau, Elaine Trew, Karla Hayward, Jeannie Olander and Ian Pitcher), both levels of the pristine little cottage are filled with artifacts to stimulate the imagination and provide an enriching learning experience. The exhibits are so designed that both those seeking an abbreviated insight into St. David's Island and its inhabitants and those who wish to absorb every detail are accommodated.

Indeed, committee members went door to door collecting photographs and memorabilia from their fellow St. David's Islanders, and further material was contributed by the Bermuda Archives, the Maritime Museum, the Bermuda Historical Society, the Bermuda National Trust and Barbara Roberts. Masterworks loaned the 11 charcoal portraits of St. David's Islanders by Rebekah Wardrop.

"A lot of people have done a lot of work assembling the exhibits," Mr. Spurling says. "We really have been very lucky in getting a lot of them donated. We have received much financial support from the corporate community and many individuals as well, which has made this museum possible."

Ascending the welcoming arms steps of Carter House, one is "greeted" inside by Bella, a large pandanus palm and palmetto doll made by Mrs. Chameau. The "tour" begins in the main room, where the smell of cedar is all-pervasive.

Occupying centre stage is the Amazon Queen, an original 14-foot Bermuda cedar sailing dinghy built in St. David's around 1875. In excellent condition, and on loan from Mr. Elystan Haycock, it comes complete with original mast, boom, bow sprit, sculling oar, home-made Bermuda stone anchor, and even a water glass for spotting fish, turtles and lobsters. Nearby is an original ropemaking machine.

Along one wall, burlap-covered folding cedar screens hold potted histories, complementary photographs and portraits relating to specific topics, such as piloting, whaling, turtling, farming and fishing.

Various cedar items, such as the reception desk left behind by the US Navy, and a handsome mantelpiece, plus the original cedar rafters and collar ties of the roof structure, add to the ambience.

In the adjoining room, glass topped cedar cases display various items. In one are slippers, hats, fans and letter openers intricately woven from pandanus palm and palmetto by the late Pansy Fox and Marie Gleeson, while another holds net and ropemaking tools, as well as a whale's vertebrae and ear drum. Behind a Perspex screen in the illuminated fireplace is found a collection of palmetto and banana leaf dolls made by Mrs. Gleeson and Mrs. Chameau. An antique Bermuda cedar rocking cradle takes pride of place in one corner and over it is draped a beautiful coverlet, hand-crocheted by Theresa McCallan at age 12. In another corner stands a handsome reproduction cedar linen press made by Lloyd Rhoda.

Descending the narrow staircase one comes to "Mrs. Minors' kitchen", named after Mrs. Kathleen Minors, whose family donated many of the cooking utensils on display.

In this lone ground floor room the focal point of the 18th century kitchen is the original, open cooking hearth and side oven, which dates from the 1600s and is hewn right out of the raw limestone hillside. The cedar support beams are also original. A male and female mannequin sit near the cedar reproduction early 1700s trestle table, made by Fred Phillips. Various original iron cooking pots, candle holders, kettle and more (some of which were acquired by Mr. Spurling from antique shops and other sources abroad) enhance the scene. Among other items hung from replica iron nails are onion baskets, skilfully woven from palmetto by Mrs. Chameau.

In one corner is a collection of old bottles, primarily recovered from local waters by scuba-diving members of the US Navy Reef Roamers Club and donated to Carter House during their tour of duty. Another feature is an old wooden wheelbarrow with pitchfork and plough, kindly supplied by the Bermuda National Trust. Elsewhere, a copy of the March 19, 1791 Bermuda Gazette records the passing of Martha Hayward at age 114. A resident of Carter House for most of her life, and thought to be a Carter descendant, her claim to fame was making palmetto hats, one of which she sent to England's Queen Anne.

No doubt, everyone who visits this fascinating little museum will take away with them favourite memories of the exhibits, but one in particular is certain to be unforgettable, not least because it sums up the ingenuity and legendary individuality of St. David's Islanders. Regarded by most as the holy grail of travel documents, Claude Pitcher's passport reveals a serious lack of proper use. Instead, he filled most of its pages with shopping lists!

A photograph of Gerry Pitcher and his fiddle, while impressive, does not record that he always tapped his foot while playing, and if someone stood on it, he stopped.

"He couldn't play without tapping," Mrs. Chameau laughs.

Structurally, Carter House has undergone extensive, sympathetic renovation and rehabilitation to bring it up to its present state, overseen by Mrs. Joyce Hall. Both interior and exterior walls are now finished in pristine white, and the original interior collar ties and beams have been cleaned off and refinished by Phillip Martin. Wide-slatted wooden shutters have been especially made in the old style by George Ratteray of BCM-McAlpine, and painted dark green.

Award-winning architect F. Stephen West donated his time to design the folding cedar screens and exterior lighting, and also advise on the positioning of furniture within the building.

At present Carter House is surrounded by a grass lawn, but the landscaping committee will soon set to work making the area more attractive by planting native and indigenous trees, such as cedars and palmettos, creating lily beds, and possibly adding a small vegetable garden.

Extensive security, including a constantly monitored alarm system and hidden cameras, has been installed to protect the building and its contents.

Tomorrow's official opening reception will include the payment of one lily bulb to landlords, the Bermuda Land Development Corporation, and a cutting of the ribbon by one of the oldest St. David's Islanders, Mr. Winston (Pinny) Foggo.

Another St. David's Islander, Eloise Millett, is the curator, and Carter House will be open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for everyone over age 12. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For further information (297-1953 or Carter House during opening hours at (293-5960.