Islanders are being encouraged to discover for themselves how a newly renovated Hamilton museum is changing.

The Bermuda Historical Society Museum at Par-la-Ville reopened its doors a month ago — and is now host to a unique collection of Bermudian history and artefacts, according to Government.

A press release said the museum traditionally had a white perspective which was being changed. Culture Minister Dale Butler said: "There is some way to go but we are encouraged by the very positive response we have had in the last month."

The free museum has been at Par-la-Ville — which was built in 1814 — for more than 50 years and has a collection of Bermuda cedar furniture, silver and paintings dating from the 1600s.

It was decided to renovate the premises in 2006 to encourage a wider audience, highlight the achievements of all Bermudians and prepare for the Island's 400th anniversary next year.

The National Library is creating the Bermuda History and Cultural Studies Room in Par-la-Ville and the public will eventually have direct access to the museum from the library.

The room will have some rare and out-of-print materials on display and a new collection of Bermuda materials, available for the public to borrow, including a couple of hundred newly purchased fiction and non-fiction books.