With one of the most important architectural restorations ever undertaken in Bermuda finally nearing completion, plans for its modern-day usage as a museum and special events venue are also well advanced.

Commissioner's House was completed in the 1820's as the imposing centrepiece of the former Royal Naval Dockyard. Now the headquarters of the Bermuda Maritime Museum, it was designed to impress, as the ceremonial residence and private quarters for the naval commissioner. Its architecture is unique, and of international significance.

"It was the first prefabricated, cast-iron house ever built, anywhere in the world, and for this reason alone, it is of international importance,'' explains museum director Dr. Edward Harris.

The massive, $5 million project will restore this extraordinary house, largely neglected since the British withdrawal from Bermuda in 1951, to its former architectural glory. "The Maritime Museum is already the largest in Bermuda and completion of Commissioner's House will double the space,'' says Dr.

Harris. "Dockyard is the most visited site in Bermuda, and Commissioner's House will provides several museum spaces under one roof. The upper floor, will become public rooms, a truly fabulous place in which to entertain, hold special events, meetings and dinner parties. The views from here are breathtaking -- there is nothing else like it in Bermuda!'' It is hoped that the top floor will be open for public use by the summer.

Every room has huge French doors opening on to the balcony, providing dramatic vistas of the Dockyard below and the mighty Atlantic beyond. With some of the original, Cuban mahogany woodwork restored, replacement work is being undertaken by specialists in Canada. Even the startling view of sheep `safely grazing' on the grassy surrounds of the the great Keep has a practical application. "We save thousands of dollars a year, as sheep are wonderful mowers! We are very proud to have done this entire project -- about $12.5 million for the whole museum -- without borrowing. Some people pledged over a number of years, so we do have rather urgent need of about $1.5 million to complete the project,'' says Dr. Harris. "Then, we believe revenue from renting this fabulous setting for various events will enable us to maintain the place.'' Thanking his trustees, Bermuda families and individuals, as well as local and international companies for their unwavering support, Dr. Harris says there is clearly a realisation that the Maritime Museum is the keeper of "everyone's'' heritage. "In terms of re-investing in our history or encouraging cultural tourism, we have received no help at all from the Government, except for the waiving of import duties.'' With this fact in mind, Dr. Harris hopes that Bermuda will accept the `right of abode' currently being negotiated with Britain, "because that will give us access to the European Union and their funding for projects like this. Even in the UK, when government has turned down funding, sponsorship has been found in Brussels. This is a very important point which Bermuda, as a country, should be aware of! Our government seems to be unwilling or unable to allocate any funds for cultural tourism, so, hopefully, we shall soon be able to start looking to Brussels for assistance. This fact also applies to Bermuda's other cultural institutions in Bermuda.'' The ground floor of the double-verandahed house -- its four-feet thick walls, soaring arches and grand staircases resembles a small castle rather than a house -- is already open to the public with a display on Bermuda's forts, a history of the house and its importance to Bermuda.

Museum director of development Jacqueline Horsfield, reveals that the classical Georgian structure took about six years to complete, using convict labour from the UK. "Large quantities of hard limestone in the Dockyard area provided the outer walls. Inside, struts of wood covered with plaster provided an air-pocket to damp-proof the walls and help keep the cold out.'' Designed by chief Royal Navy architect Edward Holl, it was decided that, in order to maintain the integrity of the design, the cast-iron frame would be built in Britain. "Then, it was shipped out like a giant meccano. But,'' she adds, "some of the beams were short so there are two huge stone pillars that look very grand -- but, in fact, were used as supports opposite the servants' staircase.'' Revealing that there will be an HMS Malabar Room, Dr. Harris explains that the whole house became HMS Malabar in World War II. Another room will be the US Navy Room, recreating Longbird House and featuring the cedar table on which Churchill signed away Bermuda's baselands. The long, mahogany-panelled Bacardi Room was the former wardroom and, already, enormous interest has been shown in renting this space for dinner parties.

Two floors will be devoted to exhibits, the ground floor providing a chronological storyline, the main floor used as a gallery with changing and travelling exhibitions. Eventually, the basement will also be used for exhibits. "This is where wine and beer was stored,'' explains Mrs. Horsfield, adding that the domed, lower corridors also held the `prison' hut where staff (all drawn from the army) were held in the event of bad behaviour.

Historically, the Dockyard served not only as the main maritime defence in the western world, but also became a major factor in the economic, sociological and educational progress of the Island. As trustee chairman Paul Leseur points out, "The Maritime Museum today is a true microcosm of the history of Bermuda, no element of which can truly be separated from the whole.'' UNIQUE BUILDING -- The imposing Commissioner's House, focal point of the Royal Naval Dockyard, currently being restored to its former glory, will serve as the centrepoint of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

LABOUR OF LOVE -- Bermudian Brian Gauntlett (left), assists Dennis Crane in his Ontario-based firm in providing specialist, restoration millwork.