Bermuda was uninhabited until 1609, when Englishman Sir George Somers was shipwrecked here on his way with supplies to the new colony in Virginia, America. To avoid sinking he ran his ship, the Sea Venture, onto a reef off St Catherine's Beach at the east end of Bermuda, on St George's island. Nine months later his crew completed construction of two new vessels to sail on to Virginia, leaving behind just two settlers. It took a further 3 years for the population to increase above three people.

The sheltered harbour of St George's played a crucial role in the gradual colonisation of Bermuda. Its shoreline was a well suited location for the establishment of the first capital town.

The oldest houses in St George's date back to the 1600s and early 1700s, which were the very early days of Bermuda's settlement. In fact they are said to be some the oldest continually inhabited buildings on the western side of the Atlantic.

Taylor House is one of Bermuda's historic buildings; there being a record of existence as early as the year 1700. The first recorded owner, in 1704, was a "mariner" named Edward Coulson, and since that time it has passed through the hands of relatively few families. In the 1900s the house became progressively run down until bought and restored by the Rowe family, who are the current owners.

Taylor House is close to the waterfront in the town of St George's. It is also not far from three lovely beaches on the other side of St George's island, including St Catherine's beach where it is thought likely that Sir George Somers first came ashore.

St George's has changed little over the last two hundred years. Largely, this is due to the fact that Hamilton, being more centrally located, took over as Bermuda's capital, and the old town was spared the pressures of development. Many of the buildings and houses have now had "preservation orders" placed on them to ensure the survival of their unique architectural character. Based on the town's great historical value and authenticity, the United Nations has recently awarded it a "World Heritage Site" status.

While St George's is no longer a major center of commerce or of shipping, it is still the preferred port for many visiting yachts, and remains a "living" town rather than a re-constructed museum piece. It is a genuine, peaceful and friendly Bermudian community.