The Peppercorn Ceremony is an event held every year in April where the Freemasons present the Governor of Bermuda their yearly rent for the State House in The Town of St. George’s. The State House is the oldest stone building in Bermuda constructed in 1620 and was where the parliament met until the capital was moved to The City of Hamilton in 1815. In 1816 the building was rented to the Freemasons for one peppercorn (the dried fruit ground to create black pepper) per year. Although the cost is mostly a formality to honour the contract, at the time peppercorns were exotic and rare. It also signifies one of the oldest contracts on the island.
The event itself features plenty pageantry with the St. George’s Town Crier hosting the Freemasons of the St. George’s Lodge, the Governor of Bermuda and the Premier of Bermuda. The Royal Bermuda Regiment Band is also featured with a rifle salute for the Governor when they arrive. The peppercorn is then presented to the Governor on top a velvet pillow held on a silver tray.
The Bermuda Peppercorn Ceremony is a 200 year old tradition that embraces the history of Bermuda and especially The Town of St. George’s.