The House of Fragrance

House of Fragrance of St.Georges, Bermuda, which later became the Bermuda Perfume Factory.

The House of Fragrance company was founded by Charles Richard Rutherford, who had been studying the art of perfume making as a hobby as early as 1931. He began to consider making perfumes from Bermuda as a commercial business. His idea was to use the local ingredients indigenous to Bermuda in addition to other materials which could be imported worldwide. 

The Story of Bermuda, 1935:

"We passed the house of Richard Rutherford, who began experimenting with perfume making in 1931. He used the lily, the freesia, and wild lemon grass, with fixative ingredients from the various corners on the globe. His "House of Fragrance" had developed such a good export business that two rival companies sprang up and began producing bottled scent."

Beautiful Bermuda, 1947:

"Bermuda perfumes were widely sold in Bermuda and the United States before World War II, and they also created a considerable demand in many far markets. The Fidelwood and other perfumes of the House of Fragrance were in great demand in South Africa, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain, as well as in the United States, and there is no doubt that renewed exportation to these countries will enhance the industry here...In 1927, Richard Rutherford, of Shelly Bay, who had been studying the art of perfume-making for some time as a hobby, began to consider making Bermuda perfumes commercially, using such extracts as he could make from local sources, blended with materials that had to be imported from all parts of the world from the islands of the Pacific to the wilds of Africa and the shores of the Baltic Sea.."

The perfumes of The House of Fragrance:

• 1930 Fidelwood
• 1930 Hibiscus
• 1930 Lily
• 1930 Freesia
• 1930 Wild Lemongrass 
• 1930 Loulette Divine
• 1930 Wild Jasmine  
• 1930 Corsage
• Lady of the Night 
• Oleander
• Buttonwood 
• Snowberry
• Banana Patch

Fidelwood was the most famous of the perfumes introduced by The House of Fragrance. It was normally housed inside of a Depinoix bottle which was designed by Julien Viard. 

The perfume's name Fidelwood, was also the name of the American concern opened in New York City in 1937.

Drug and Cosmetic Industry - Volume 41, 1937:

"Fidelwood Opens Offices: Fidelwood, Inc., has opened showrooms and offices at 551 Fifth Avenue. New York. The line which was recently introduced in the United States through leading stores, is made by the House of Fragrance, Bermuda."

 Glass Packer,1939:

"the House of Fragrance of Bermuda, noted for its "Fidelwood" odor."