Bermuda: Barr's Bay Park - Hamilton, Bermuda

Barr's Bay Park

Hamilton, Bermuda

N 32° 17.467 W 064° 47.301

Short Description: 

Barr's Bay Park is a site on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail. It is located near downtown Hamilton, Bermuda.

Long Description:

In 1835 a group of 172 slaves from America chose to gained their freedom on the shore of Barr's Bay Park. In 2010 a sculpture was unveiled to commemorate the event. A plaque on the retaining wall between Pitt's Bay Road and Barr's Bay Park has a plaque that describes the event. The plaque is inscribed:

THE BERMUDA DIASPORA HERITAGE TRAIL

{Globe With Bermuda Greatly Enlarged}

BERMUDA

OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED A UNESCO

SLAVE ROUTE PROJECT

Enterprise Landing Site Barr's Bay Park

In 1856 the American brig Enterprise was on its way from Alexandria,

Virginia to Charleston, South Carolina and was driven off course

by a violent storm and had to put into Bermuda for provisions

On board were 78 slaves due to be sold once the vessel

reached its destination.

But slavery was now illegal in Bermuda and the ship in violation of

island laws. the slaves were brought ashore at Barrs Bay Park which is

located in the City of Hamilton and taken before the Chief Magistrate

where they were given the opportunity to stay in Bermuda

and become free or continue with the ship and be sold.

all but one mother and her five children chose

to remain on the island.