The arrival of three United States historical groups later this year to mark the 240th anniversary of the Bermuda Gunpowder Plot will benefit the Island’s charities.

Members of Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Children of the American Revolution will descend on St George’s in August to celebrate the anniversary.

They will take part in a series of events to highlight Bermuda’s links with the American fight for independence, including a re-enactment in the Olde Towne of how the gunpowder was stolen from the British and passed on to the Americans

Michael Elston, Chancellor of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, told The Royal Gazette that the three groups would be making a donation to charities in Bermuda.

“We plan to dedicate as gifts to Bermuda two historical markers and one interpretive sign,” he said. “The markers will be located at the Port Royal Golf Course, near the site of the birth of St George and Thomas Tudor Tucker, and in St George’s near the site of the gunpowder magazine.

“The interpretive sign will be installed at Tobacco Bay Beach, where the barrels of gunpowder left in small boats for the American ships waiting offshore.

“We have also been raising money through the sale of commemorative pins in part to ‘pay Bermuda back’ for the stolen gunpowder. To date, we have sold over 300 of the pins in the United States.

“Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Children of the American Revolution and half will be donated to Bermuda charities to be announced when we are there in August.”

The upcoming visit of the three organisations in August will cap off a programme of events that started in March 2013 with an event at the Tucker House in St George’s.

The purpose of the initiative has been to raise awareness of Bermuda’s role in the American Revolution and to honour the “Bermuda-born patriots” involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

Mr Elston said he hoped that the celebrations planned in Bermuda for later this year to mark the 240th anniversary would inspire more Americans to think of Bermuda when deciding on a holiday location.

He added: “The American Revolution had profound effects for both Americans and Bermudians. For Bermuda, at first it meant major investment by Britain after the loss of most of its ports in North America and much more attention from the Royal Navy.

“The Revolution belongs to all Americans and Bermudians because the principles of the Revolution have shaped our thoughts, our government institutions and our lives in ways we don’t always consider.

“I hope that Bermuda will be able to use this 240th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot as a way to market historical tourism. Of course Bermuda has beautiful beaches, but there is so much more to Bermuda.”