Following on the heels of their recent unveiling of a perfume originally found in a 150-year-old shipwreck, the Bermuda Perfumery has launched a new non-profit called the Lili Bermuda Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and promotion of Bermuda’s shipwreck heritage.
A portion of sales from the recently launched Mary Celestia fragrance – a scent inspired by the Bermuda shipwreck of the same name – will fund the foundation.
“The foundation’s first charitable objective is to sponsor 50 young Bermudians who have a desire to become Open Water PADI certified,” said Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, owner of The Bermuda Perfumery.
“Our goal is to inspire young Bermudians to explore and learn more about our rich shipwreck heritage and to become future Bermuda ambassadors when they go overseas to pursue their studies and other interests.
Dive Bermuda, which conducts PADI certifications and dive tours of the Mary Celestiawreck off South Shore, supports the work of the Lili Bermuda Foundation.
“This is an inspired idea and we commend The Bermuda Perfumery for encouraging Bermuda’s youth to explore the incredibly exciting undersea,” said Mark Diel of Dive Bermuda.
The foundation will seek support from the entire local diving community to assist in its objective of protecting and promoting Bermuda’s shipwreck heritage.
Philippe Rouja, Bermuda’s Custodian of Historic Wrecks, said: “The Department of Conservation Services is committed to protecting Bermuda’s shipwreck heritage, but that is only one part of the mission.
“We must also excite children about the stories that exist on our ocean floor so that they are similarly conservation-minded. We believe the Lili Bermuda Foundation is on the right track with its new program and we’re glad to support them in finding young candidates to be certified.”
The Mary Celestia fragrance is a replica of a 19th Century perfume recently uncovered in the Mary Celestia shipwreck. The new scent was launched in New York City in September 2014 and went on sale, as a limited edition of 1,864 bottles, on October 1st, 2014.
The number of bottles represents the year the Mary Celestia sank off Bermuda while on its way to Charleston, South Carolina carrying a hidden cargo that included smuggled perfume from London, U.K.
Since the launch of the fragrance, the 150 year-old Mary Celestiastory has gained new life and wide media exposure. Journalists in Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have been captivated with the story.
And now, as Christmas approaches, gift givers are encouraged to “#GiveHistory” as a holiday gift. Mrs. Ramsay Brackstone said: “We have literally woven Bermuda heritage into the packaging of the fragrance and it makes for an exceptional gift.”
From the Bermuda Monetary Authority medal on the neck of the bottle to the Bermuda cedar boxes handmade in St. George by Master Carpenter Mickey Foggo, this is an authentic Bermuda experience.
