A former United States congressman with Bermudian roots has been honoured with a portrait unveiled at the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and Museum in Wilson, North Carolina, in an event attended by around 400 people.

George Kenneth “G.K.” Butterfield, whose father was born in Bermuda, represented his North Carolina district for nearly two decades and played a prominent role in US civil rights advocacy. The unveiling ceremony drew cheers from the large crowd on hand, according to the Wilson Times.

Butterfield's family connection to the island has attracted interest among Bermudians, many of whom have relatives abroad. His father's island heritage has been a point of pride for local residents who follow the congressman's career and his ties to Bermuda.

The portrait now hangs in the museum, celebrating the life and legacy of a public figure whose story includes a Bermudian dimension that resonates with the island's own history of emigration and overseas achievement.