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# St. John Historical Society

Appreciating the heritage of the island

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog/Articles](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/blog/) - Within this section you will find over 100 articles which have appeared in publications of the Society, have been the subject of our hikes and wanderings and/or are simply of interest to anyone with a love of St. John and its rich history. If you’d like to submit an article for consideration in a future
- [October 2018 Newsletter](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/october-2018-newsletter/) - ATTENTION MEMBERS AND FRIENDS! The next meeting of the St. John Historical Society will take place on November 13, 2018 at 7PM at the National Park Headquarters. Ken Wild will talk on the status and restoration of cultural resources in the Park after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Ken has worked here in the Virgin Islands
- [July 2018 Newsletter](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/july-2018-newsletter/) - Dear Members and Friends, It has been a trying time for St. Johnians these last 11 months since the devastating storms Irma-Jose-Maria of September, 2017. It's been difficult for people who stayed during the storm as well as those who were displaced to other places. People are still without basic services; some waiting for their
- [A Banker in the Danish West Indian Islands](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-4-january-2009-a-banker-in-the-danish-west-indian-islands-by-olav-hoist-in-danish-translation-courtesy-of-nina-york/) - (Original in Danish, translation courtesy of Nina York.) (This is an excerpt from an unpublished book of 176 typewritten pages, compiled by an employee of the Danish West Indies National Bank in the early 1900s. As a retiree, he wrote his memoirs of the years in the Danish West Indian Islands, a description that offers
- [Historical Society Installs Plant Signs at Annaberg and Provides Guidance to Friends‘ Docents](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-february-2009-historical-society-installs-plant-signs-at-annaberg-and-provides-guidance-to-friends-docents-by-bruce-schoonover/) - One of the signs at the Annaberg Estate identifiying the plants and trees. On Saturday, January 24th, St. John Historical Society President Eleanor Gibney and historian and Society Archivist David Knight met with the Friends of Virgin Island National Park Docents at the Estate Annaberg sugar works. The Friends Annaberg Docent program began six years
- [Tektite’s 40th Anniversary Fete](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-8-may-2009-tektites-40th-anniversary-fete-a-presentation-by-board-member-bruce-schoonover-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - Standing in front of a mural in the newly completed Tektite Museum at VIERS are (l to r) Randy Brown, Ed Clifton, Jim Miller, Conrad Mahnken, and Bruce Schoonover (A presentation by board member Bruce Schoonover, summarized by Robin Swank) A large enthusiastic audience gathered at the Virgin Islands Environmental Research Station (VIERS) on February
- [Potluck & Storytelling at the SJHS January 13, 2009 Membership Meeting](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-7-april-2009-potluck-storytelling-at-the-sjhs-january-13-2009-membership-meeting-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - Songs from “Hot Steel in Cruz Bay” by Charlie Prentice’s Hotshots played softly as guests and members lined up to partake of dishes prepared by many talented chefs. I’m pretty sure Rudolph ‘Pimpy’ Thomas knew all the words to ‘The Old Man and the Donkey,’ and at another table I saw someone mouthing the words
- [A Visit to the Bethany Moravian and the Nazareth Lutheran Churches, December 13, 2008](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-february-2009-a-visit-to-the-bethany-moravian-and-the-nazareth-lutheran-churches-december-13-2008-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - In December SJHS members joined Rudolph ‘Pimpy’ Thomas, Reggie Callwood, and Elroy Sprauve for on-site history lessons about two of our spiritual and architectural gems on St. John, the Bethany Moravian Church and the Nazareth Lutheran Church. BETHANY MORAVIAN CHURCH AND MISSION HOUSE According to The St John Drum in an October 18, 1974 article
- [Fever](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-1-october-2008-fever-by-eleanor-gibney/) - As I write this on a very wet and cool October night, another drenching tropical wave is passing over us. After 23 inches of rain in the past two months, this begins to seem normal. I can again hear the gut roaring in the distance, and I can anticipate another major outbreak of mosquitoes in
- [Florence & Walter Lewisohn and Steve Edwards Honored at the Annaberg School Sign Dedication](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-5-january-2008-florence-walter-lewisohn-and-steve-edwards-honored-at-the-annaberg-school-sign-dedication-by-eleanor-gibney-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (Summarized By Robin Swank) SJHS members walked up newly restored steps to the Annaberg Country School on December 11th. Our ‘tea party’ was convened to dedicate new permanent educational signage on behalf of the three individuals who funded the educational signage by bequest and also gave of themselves to the SJHS, and to hear from
- [Estate Sieben-Mollendal Hike](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-5-january-2008-estate-sieben-mollendal-hike-led-by-david-knight-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (Led by David Knight, summarized by Robin Swank) Hardy SJHS members met for the last hike of the calendar year, to the south side estates of Sieben and Mollendahl. These estates are sheltered from the north wind by “Camel Mountain” (AKA: Camelberg), once thought to be the highest point on St John. David Knight led
- [Ladies’ Storytelling at Bethany Church Hall, November 10, 2009](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/ladies-storytelling-at-bethany-church-hall-novemember-10-2009-by-robin-swank/) - “There is no gift so small that it cannot be given.” This is the sentiment that rang out clearly from the Ladies’ Storytelling at the Society’s November 10th Membership meeting. I am very grateful to the articulate and engaging Storytellers; as we enter the holiday season (many of us with less holiday in our season
- [Tektite Program Overview](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-4-january-2009-tektite-program-overview-by-bruce-schoonover/) - Naval Floating Dry Dock (LSD), the U.S.S. Hermitage, carrying the ‘Habitat’ and other support materials and elements arrives in Lameshur Bay, January 1969. Forty years ago next month, February 15th, 1969, the underwater program known as Tektite I was just beginning, right here on St. John — just off the south shore, and to the
- [Help Needed to Complete the Restoration of the Free-Colored Cemetery of Cruz Bay](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/we-need-your-help-to-complete-the-restoration-of-the-free-colored-cemetery-of-cruz-bay-by-sjhs-newsletter-staff/) - Tucked away in a corner of Cruz Bay, between establishments reflecting modern life in this little island town, is the final resting place of six Free-Colored St. Johnians who died between 1820 and 1879. Although Cruz Bay’s Free-Colored Cemetery is incredibly significant for myriad reasons it had been all but forgotten until last month, when
- [Establishment of the Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-7-march-2006-establishment-of-the-virgin-islands-national-park-vinp-a-summary-of-the-february-14th-2006-presentation-by-bruce-schoonover/) - (A summary of the February 14th, 2006 presentation by Bruce Schoonover) This year being the 50th Anniversary of the VINP, it is a fitting time to recognize our nation’s 29th National Park. Congress passed the enabling legislation for the establishment of the VINP on August 2, 1956, and it was signed into law by President
- [ A Report of the Earthquake of 1867 ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-2-october-2007-a-report-of-the-earthquake-of-1867-by-louis-van-housel/) - (On the afternoon of November 18, 1867, a disastrous magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred in an intraplate fault of the Anegada Trough separating Saint Croix from the main chain of the Virgin Islands. The following account of this epic earthquake is a verbatim transcript from an article entitled “AN EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE” by Louis van Housel, a
- [Proposed Bylaws Revisions](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/proposed-bylaws-revisions/) - Periodically the board of directors reviews and updates the Bylaws of the St John Historical Society to better reflect the needs of the growing organization. This was last done in 2011 and adopted in January 2012. At the October 3rd board meeting, the board approved with amendments a set of changes and additions proposed by a subcommittee
- [About our New Watermark and Logo](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about-our-new-watermark-and-logo/) - Over the years, the St. John Historical Society has become aware of an increasing demand placed on the wealth of images that the society has accumulated and posted on its website. Some of this material is in the public domain, some is on permanent loan to the society with unlimited or limited use permission, while
- [Archeology in the Virgin Islands National Park](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/archeology-in-the-virgin-islands-national-park/) - (A presentation by Ken Wild, summarized by Diana Hall) Members of the St. John Historical Society present at the April 8 membership meeting learned that 2013 was an extremely productive year for the National Park Service Archeology Program as Virgin Islands National Park Archeologist and Cultural Resource Manager Ken Wild updated the audience on the
- [Hassel Island Chronology  From Fred Gjessing’s 1992 Cultural Resources Assessment of Hassel Island, Appendix E](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/hassel-island-chronology-from-fred-gjessings-1992-cultural-resources-assessment-of-hassel-island-appendix-e-distributed-k-wilds-sjhs-meeting-11208/) - Distributed K. Wild’s SJHS Meeting 1/12/08 Date Event 1687 John Jenifer map of St Thomas Harbor, Prince Rupert’s Cove. “In this Harbor Prince Rupert careened some of his ships when he was in America.” 1689 Central ridge section of peninsula under cultivation by Christian Lassen. 1719 Peninsula Plantation owned by David Jansen. Habitat shifted from
- [Notes on Colonial-Era Education on St. John and the Annaberg School ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-6-february-2008-notes-on-colonial-era-education-on-st-john-and-the-annaberg-school-prepared-by-david-knight/) - In 1853 the Annaberg Country School opened to provide free, compulsory education to the children of St. John’s rural Maho Bay Quarter. But, while the opening of the Annaberg facility is indeed a notable milestone in the history of St. John, the school was not the first of the “Country Schools” to be established on
- [Earth Day 2008 on the SJHS Provisions Grounds](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-9-may-2008-earth-day-2008-on-the-sjhs-provisions-grounds-by-bruce-schoonover-robin-swank/) - (By Bruce Schoonover and Robin Swank) On Tuesday, April 15th, the Society once again participated in the “Friends of Virgin Islands National Park” Earth Day festivities. The goal is to educate, inform, and inspire V.I. youth and the community on the importance of preserving and protecting our environment. This year, over 300 children from numerous
- [Governor Pearson and Affordable Housing ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-4-february-2005-governor-pearson-and-affordable-housing-by-barbara-pearson-fogg-grove/) - The U.S. Virgin Islands’ first civilian Governor, Paul M. Pearson, served from 1931 to 1935. A Quaker college educator from Philadelphia who had organized and managed the traveling Swarthmore Chautauqua, Governor Pearson initiated a number of programs that were intended to improve the depressed economy of the territory and the cultural life of its citizens.
- [Acquisition of the Danish West Indies by the United States](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-5-march-2005-acquisition-of-the-danish-west-indies-by-the-united-states-by-bruce-schoonover/) - March 31, 2005, marks the 88th anniversary of the acquisition of the Danish West Indies by the United States of America. It also marks the 140th anniversary of when this acquisition was first contemplated… It was in 1865, some fifty-plus years prior, the United States began discussions regarding this purchase. In 1865, it was the
- [Childhood Summers Spent on St. John ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-6-april-2005-childhood-summers-spent-on-st-john-summarized-by-jan-frey-secretary/) - (A Presentation by Gaylord Sprauve, summarized by Jan Frey) March 31, 2005, marks the 88th anniversary of the acquisition of the Danish West Indies by the United States of America. It also marks the 140th anniversary of when this acquisition was first contemplated… It was in 1865, some fifty-plus years prior, the United States began
- [ Soldier Crab Saga  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-no-vii-no-1-sept-2005-soldier-crab-saga-by-rafe-boulon/) - (Editors note: Rafe is Chief, Division of Resource Management for the Virgin Islands National Park and one of our newest Board members.) I was born and live on St. John, USVI and have been living with Soldier (land hermit) crabs all my life. (Shown at left, without shell.) They are part of my every day
- [Bay Rum: A Niche of Distinction in VI History ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-no-vii-no-2-oct-2005-bay-rum-a-niche-of-distinction-in-vi-history-by-gail-schulterbrandt-l-d-n/) - Bay rum is tightly woven into the fabric of Native Virgin Islands culture. In the olden days, every single pantry in the Virgin Islands contained a bottle of bay rum. It is the one historic industry that St. John and St. Thomas can claim as being our very own. In Virgin Islands history, St. Croix,
- [T’was The Night Before Christmas… (and Other Bedtime Stories)](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-no-vii-no-3-nov-2005-twas-the-night-before-christmas-and-other-bedtime-stories-by-lolly-prime/) - We all know these wonderful words: “ ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse…” They were read to us as children, re-read as young parents; and now, we recite them almost from memory to our grandchildren. But, do you know where your grandmother
- [Caneel Bay Estate Before Laurance Rockefeller ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-no-vii-no-4-dec-2005-caneel-bay-estate-before-laurance-rockefeller-contributed-by-bruce-schoonover/) - (Editors Note: Last Fall, while at the Rockefeller Archive Center in Sleepy Hollow, New York, my wife and I ran across the following April 5, 1956 memo from Mr. Hjalmar Bang, regarding his early association with the Caneel Bay Estate.) (Published by permission of Rockefeller Archive Center. Ads are from a VI Tourism magazine produced
- [Mr. Elroy Sprauve Describes His Early Christmas Holidays on St. John  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-no-vii-no-4-dec-2005-mr-elroy-sprauve-describes-his-early-christmas-holidays-on-st-john-compiled-by-jan-frey/) - (Compiled by Jan Frey) Mr. Sprauve was a young St. Johnian attending school at the Bethany School in Pastory in the 1940’s and Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas in the early 1950’s. The entire villages’ holiday celebrations centered around church and school. There were two teachers for the approximately 50 students attending Bethany
- [Quicklime - An Essential Material of the Colonial Period ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-6-february-2006-quicklime-an-essential-material-of-the-colonial-period-david-knight-2006/) - (Editor’s Note: On March 25th, Society President, David Knight and Mr. Reggie Callwood will help us explore the ruins at Cinnamon Bay and review restoration work and techniques used by Mr. Callwood in the 1960s and 70s to stabilize and preserve historic sites throughout the National Park on St. John. As background, David has excerpted
- [The Annaberg School Ruins at Mary’s Creek ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-6-february-2006-the-annaberg-school-ruins-at-marys-creek-by-david-knight/) - The ruins of the Annaberg School at Mary’s Creek are among the most significant historic sites on St. John. Not only are they a wonderful example of uniquely Danish-colonial architecture in the neoclassical style, but they are also a physical representation of the first effort to institute compulsory education throughout the Danish West Indies in
- [The Boulon Family  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-8-april-2006-the-boulon-family-a-summary-of-the-presentation-by-sjhs-board-member-rafe-boulon-by-vicki-bell-secretary/) - (A presentation by Rafe Boulon, summarized by Vicki Bell) Rafe Boulon began his family story in the early 1900s when his great grandfather was a meteorologist in Puerto Rico. Rafe’s grandfather grew up in Puerto Rico and in 1927 purchased 100 acres for $5,000 which included Trunk Bay. Rafe’s father was born in Puerto Rico but
- [The Gibney Family  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-8-april-2006-the-gibney-family-a-summary-of-eleanor-gibneys-presentation-by-eleanor-gibney/) - Eleanor Gibney’s maternal grandmother, Mildred Flagg of Boston, filmed home movies of her daughter and grandchildren on St. John on several visits to the island between 1947 and 1960. Robert and Nancy Gibney came to the West Indies from New York City in 1946. They were on their honeymoon, and planned to spend a few
- [  St. John’s Indigo Years  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vii-no-8-april-2006-st-johns-indigo-years-by-don-near/) - (This article first appeared in the summer/fall 2004 edition of the Kapok Chronicles, the official [bi-yearly] newspaper of Virgin Islands National Park. Don Near, editor of the publication, is an Interpretive Ranger and has been with the Park for 21 years. We thank Don for allowing us to reprint his informative article.) The word indigo
- [Timeline of Emancipation in the Danish West Indies](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-viii-no-1-june-2006/) - Keywords: [Emancipation]
- [St. John’s Week-long 4th of July Festivities Aren’t Just About United States Independence ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-viii-no-1-june-2006-st-johns-week-long-4th-of-july-festivities-arent-just-about-united-states-independence-david-knight-president/) - Under considerable pressure from both home and abroad, in 1847 King Christian VIII of Denmark took the first cautious steps toward emancipation in the Danish West Indies islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. On July 28th, he proclaimed that all children born into slavery would from that day on be considered free,
- [ John Gottliff: The Man Behind Buddoe](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-viii-no-1-june-2006-john-gottliff-the-man-behind-buddoe-by-george-f-tyson-director-st-croix-african-roots-project/) - Slavery in the Danish West Indies ended abruptly on July 3, 1848, contrary to the intentions of the Danish Government and Governor General Peter von Scholten. It ended because several thousand enslaved individuals on St. Croix staged a largely non-violent demonstration that forced a reluctant Peter von Scholten to proclaim freedom for all of the
- [Mary’s Point Hike ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-5-january-2007-marys-point-hike-by-david-knight-sjhs-president-summarized-by-robin-swank-sjhs-secretary/) - (By David Knight, summarized by Robin Swank) SJHS President David Knight welcomed about thirty members to our December hike on Mary’s Point. We met at the Francis Boiling House on what was once the Betty’s Hope plantation, which straddles a strategic isthmus separating Mary’s Creek and Francis Bay. At the outset David informed us that
- [Exploring Lieven Marche Bay Estate Ruins ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-6-february-2007-exploring-lieven-marche-bay-estate-ruins-by-david-knight-sjhs-president-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (By David Knight, summarized by Robin Swank) If you want to learn something new, take a hike!!! Many of the hikers who joined President David Knight on January 13th had visited Brown Bay, but only a few were previously aware of the Hermitage or Lieven Marche Estates, or of the earlier subsumed and less-documented estate
- [How Sugar Was Made on St. John during the Danish Colonial Period ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/how-sugar-was-made-on-st-john-during-the-danish-colonial-period-david-w-knight2001/) - Sugar cane was cut by hand in the fields and conveyed to sugar mills by various means. In some cases, wooden channels were used to “shoot” the sugar cane downhill from fields in the upland areas of a plantation, and in others, a “windlass” was used to hoist sugar cane up to the factory from
- [A Brief History of Sugar and Sugar Production in the West Indies ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/a-brief-history-of-sugar-and-sugar-production-in-the-west-indies-david-w-knight-2001/) - A native to southern Asia, sugar cane has been nourishing man since prehistoric times. It is not known for certain what culture developed the technique of converting sugar cane juice into crystalline sugar, but as the earliest known written reference to the process appears in Sanskrit in about 500 B.C., historians have long credited northern India
- [St. John’s Other Revolt: The Desertions of 1840  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-iii-no-1-november-2001-st-johns-other-revolt-the-desertions-of-1840-by-david-w-knight-2001/) - On the night of May 24, 1840, estates Annaberg and Leinster Bay were the scenes of one of the largest mass desertions of enslaved laborers on St. John since the outbreak of the 1733 slave insurrection more than a century before. In all, eight men (Charles Bryan, James Jacob, Adam [alias Cato], Big David, Henry
- [Lost People and Forgotten Places  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-iv-no-6-april-2003-lost-people-and-forgotten-places-by-david-w-knight-jr-2003/) - For as long as I can remember I've felt at home in the forgotten places of St. John: crumbling ruins strangled by vines, centuries of abandonment leaving them shadows of what they once were. My father has also spent his lifetime exploring and studying these "secret" places, so that's why it isn't everyday that the
- [ Rest in Peace Laurance Spelman Rockefeller  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-1-octobernovember-2004-rest-in-peace-laurance-spelman-rockefeller-by-chuck-pishko/) - By Chuck Pishko The Historical Society would be remiss if we did not note the passing of a champion of American conservation and national parks. Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) who passed on July 11, 2004 was instrumental in the establishment of the Virgin Islands National Park. His love of St. John, his business acumen, and
- [Early Schooling in Denmark and her Colonies](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-2-december-2004-early-schooling-in-denmark-and-her-colonies-eva-frellesvig-summarized-by-chuck-pishko/) - (A presentation by Eva Frellesvig, summarized by Chuck Pishko) We were honored to have Professor Per Neilsen and his wife, Eva Frellesvig, as our speakers at the December 2, 2005 meeting. Per Neilsen teaches Caribbean history at the University of Copenhagen, with his main interest in the Danish West Indies. Eva Frellesvig is an assistant
- [Cruz Bay Christmas Recollections of Andro Childs in the 1930s and40s](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-2-december-2004-cruz-bay-christmas-recollections-of-andro-childs-in-the-1930s-and40s/) - "I remember how we prepared for and celebrated the holidays," Mrs. Childs began. "Cruz Bay was so small then, probably not more than eight or ten families. There were two little grocery stores that sold the basics," she recalled. "For oil, you took a pint bottle to be filled; for butter or lard, you got
- [The Danish Struggle to Colonize St. John  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-4-february-2005-the-danish-struggle-to-colonize-st-john-summarized-by-jan-frey-secretary/) - (By Leif Calundann Larson, summarized by Jan Frey) Leif Calundann Larsen, author of the 1986 book The Danish Colonization of St. John, 1718 –1733, was the featured speaker at our February meeting at the Bethany Moravian Church. He outlined for the group the early history of the West Indies and Danish efforts in the late 1600s,
- [Estate Zootenval’s Papilleau Bay ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-xi-no-1-october-2009-estate-zootenvals-papilleau-bay-by-david-w-knight/) - On December 16, 1728, Lorentz Hendrichsen and his young wife Hellina Margretha Muller were formally granted title to a 1200’ X 3000’ tract of land in the Coral Bay Quarter of St. John. As was the policy of the time, the Hendrichsens were given a seven-year tax amnesty to aid in the development of a
- [More on the Archaeological Dig at the Bellevue Estate](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/more-on-the-archaeological-dig-at-the-bellevue-estate/) - Last week, we posted a link to the Tradewinds article on the initial archaeological survey work being undertaken at Bellevue, along with some important background information as to the Historical Society and the St. John Community Foundation's objectives. That posting can be viewed here. On August 3rd, Tradewinds provided a follow-up to the initial reporting and we link that latest article
- [A Few Words About Our Website Home Page Images](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/a-few-words-about-our-website-home-page-images/) - On the home page of our website we feature four of the most historically-significant images ever produced of St. John. We believe these renderings help bring to life the incredibly rich history of this very special island. They are: Coral Bay from the Emmaus Moravian Mission Station, dated 1833, by Robert H. Schomburgk
- [A New Look for the Society Website](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/a-new-look-for-the-society-website/) - With technology opening so many new doors, there has never been a better time for history to be shared throughout the world. The St. John Historical Society Board of Directors is pleased and excited to announce the launch of our new website, complete with a blog, media library, online store, newsletter sign-up, links to our
- [Archaeologists Dig into Bellevue Estate History](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/archaeologists-dig-into-bellevue-estate-history/) - Background... On March 28, 2013, the St. John Historical Society entered into a 99 year lease agreement with the St. John Community Foundation for a small parcel of land on the Bellevue Estate, off Gift Hill Road, on St. John. The parcel being leased is part of a larger piece of the land gifted to
- [The Forest Island](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-3-january-2005-the-forest-island-by-eleanor-gibney/) - When the first Europeans landed on St. John, did they see a dramatically different landscape and vegetation from what we observe now? In the absence of detailed reports from that time, we have to make a lot of educated guesses. The early accounts that do exist are often misleading, perhaps due to the same kind
- [John Wright, Outstanding Citizen of the Danish West Indies  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-3-january-2005-john-wright-outstanding-citizen-of-the-danish-west-indies-a-presentation-by-per-nielsen-summarized-by-jan-frey-secretary/) - (A Presentation by Per Nielsen, summarized by Jan Frey) We continue our report on the speakers at our December meeting. Here we review the presentation of Professor Per Neilsen of the University of Copenhagen. Fifteen years ago Per Neilsen began studying the life of John Wright and on December 3rd he shared his findings with
- [Post-Plantation and Pre-Tourism: Life and Work on St. John in the early 20th Century ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-3-january-2005-post-plantation-and-pre-tourism-life-and-work-on-st-john-in-the-early-20th-century-by-crystal-fortwangler/) - After the collapse of the plantation system, a new era on St. John emerged, often described as a “broad-based provisioning economy.” It included a diversified agricultural economy, subsistence farming, craft industries, small-scale forest industry, and cattle estates. Although only a few people owned most of the land and hired others to work for them, the
- [History of the Moravian Church, March 20, 1977](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/history-of-the-moravian-church-march-20-1977/) - History of the Moravian Church (click here to view PDF)
- [Emmaus Moravian Church: 200 Year Anniversary](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/emmaus-moravian-church-200-year-anniversary/) - Emmaus Moravian Church: 200 Year Anniversary (please click here to view PDF)
- [Presentation by Susan Lugo & Field Trip to the Caribbean Genealogy Library ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-7-march-2007-presentation-by-susan-lugo-field-trip-to-the-caribbean-genealogy-library-summarized-by-robin-swank-secretary/) - (Summarized by Robin Swank) If you wish to trace your ancestry, help someone trace theirs, or are just interested in written historical records, head across the water to become familiar with a real St. Thomas gem, the Caribbean Genealogy Library (CGL). [Contact the Library via email at CaribGenLibrary@attglobal.net or via telephone at 340-714-2136. Visit at Al Cohen's Mall
- [English Creole-The Spoken Word on St. John ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-8-april-2007-english-creole-the-spoken-word-on-st-john-presented-by-mr-elroy-sprauve-march-13-2007-summarized-by-robin-swank-secretary/) - Mr. Elroy Sprauve, Educator; SJHS Board Historian. (Presented by Mr. Elroy Sprauve, March 13, 2007, summarized by Robin Swank) “ ‘Creole’ is a language patterned from two or more languages by people who live and work together,” Mr. Sprauve began. With wit and charm, he gave lively examples of how English and African, along with
- [Lameshure Bay Explore ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-8-april-2007-lameshure-bay-explore-by-david-knight-sjhs-president-summarized-by-robin-swank-secretary/) - Yawzi Point's Great Lameshure Estate House Its rounded entry steps overlook the cotton magazine (By David Knight, summarized by Robin Swank) On Saturday, March 17th, a record 78 hikers met at VIERS to join SJHS President David Knight for a tour of the physical remains of three contiguous estates (Great Lamesure, Little Lamesure, and Bowe) which
- [Huguenot at Lameshur: Captain Ingiald Mourier ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-8-april-2007-huguenot-at-lameshur-captain-ingiald-mourier-by-dan-smothergill-sjhs-member/) - (Syracuse University Professor Emeritus Daniel Smothergill is a SJHS member who traces his ancestors back to 19th century St. John.) Denmark is well known for having allowed citizens of other countries to settle in its West Indies possessions. The English, in particular, took advantage of the policy and at one time owned a large number
- [Lameshure Bay Estate of the 1950s ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/lameshure-bay-estate-of-the-1950s-by-bruce-schoonover/) - Frank Stick's map of St. John showing the outline of Lameshur and Hope Estates Consolidation of properties has always played a huge role in the ownership of estates on St. John. By the late 1700s, we have seen that what we now think of as the Lameshur Estate was, in fact, composed of multiple former
- [Earth Day 2007 Festivities ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-9-may-2007-earth-day-2007-festivities-by-bruce-schoonover-and-robin-swank/) - By Bruce Schoonover and Robin Swank Earth day 2007... preserving and protecting the environment This year, in connection with the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park Earth Day festivities, the St. John Historical Society highlighted its efforts to preserve and protect the Annaberg Country School ruins at Mary’s Point, by sponsoring a coloring contest for all
- [That’s My Cousin, But I Don’t Know How ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-vi-no-5-january-2007-thats-my-cousin-but-i-dont-know-how-presentation-by-veronica-ronnie-phillips/) - (Presentation by Veronica “Ronnie” Phillips) "Genealogy….why do it?” Veronica “Ronnie” Phillips challenged SJHS members and guests at our December 12 evening meeting. She asked us to imagine being an orphan. Gazing into a mirror, we might wonder if we looked like our mother or father, or a once-removed relative. Growing up, we might wonder how
- [A Nineteenth Century Ornithologist at Estate Adrian ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-1-august-2007-a-nineteenth-century-ornithologist-at-estate-adrian-excerpted-from-a-book-by-frederick-ober/) - (Excerpted from a book by Frederick Ober) The literary genre of adventure-travel has sustained popularity over many centuries, and travelers’ tales were surely a form of entertainment from the dawn of expressive language. In the 1800’, Americans did not have to go very far to find mysterious wilderness and exotic people to write about: the
- [African Roots](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-1-august-2007-african-roots-by-george-tyson-summarized-by-robin-swank-secretary/) - (By George Tyson, summarized by Robin Swank) George Tyson, one of our pre-eminent historians and researchers in the USVI, spoke to the membership on April 10th about The St. Croix African Roots Project (SCARP). Still in progress, it is clear that SCARP’s first product—an intricate database gleaned from thousands of archival sources amassed during the
- [ Jumbies and Werewolves ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-2-october-2007-jumbies-and-werewolves-by-robin-swank-with-the-assistance-of-several-other-unnamed-ghoulish-board-members/) - (By Robin Swank, with the assistance of several other unnamed ghoulish board members.) Halloween wasn’t observed in these islands until the U.S. influence began to strengthen in the 1960’s, but there has never been a lack of spirits or hauntings here, with traditions of fright that go back to both Africa and Europe. Will you
- [Of Waterfalls and Rock Carvings… Excerpted from THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Our new Possessions and the British Islands  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-3-november-2007-of-waterfalls-and-rock-carvings-excerpted-from-the-virgin-islands-our-new-possessions-and-the-british-islands-by-theodoor-debooy-and-john-t-faris-1918/) - By Theodoor deBooy and John T. Faris (1918) …There is no road on St. John that is more than a bridle path; but also let it be said that there is no road that does not have features to delight the visitor. The road most commonly used by the inhabitants leads from Cruz Bay through
- [Christmas Eve aboard the Ingolf ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-4-december-2007-christmas-eve-aboard-the-ingolf-by-olaf-linck-as-translated-by-nina-york/) - (By Olaf Linck, as translated by Nina York) (Olaf Linck (1874-1958) was a prominent Danish journalist and novelist, winner of several awards. In his preface to the autobiographical book “The Land We Lost - Memoirs from the Danish West Indies” from which this excerpt originates, he describes how his interest in the islands was awakened.
- [Guavaberry and Christmas Carols ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-4-december-2007-guavaberry-and-christmas-carols-by-eleanor-gibney/) - The guavaberry tree (Myrciaria floribunda) is a widespread species in Tropical American forests; found in the West Indies from Cuba down to Martinique, and on the mainland from the south of Mexico to Brazil. It is fitting, however, that the species was first officially described from a collection on St. Croix by Hans West in
- [November Rain ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-3-november-2007-november-rain-by-eleanor-gibney/) - Until very recently, the most critical factor for human existence on St. John was water: How to collect it, how to save it, how to move it to where you needed it… These days, all that’s required is a cistern, and a few hundred dollars, and you can truck in hundreds of gallons of desalinated
- [Estate Sieben &Mollendal Memories ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-5-january-2008-estate-sieben-mollendal-memories-related-by-mr-elroy-sprauve/) - My brother, Vernon, and I were born at Estate Sieben; that meant that somebody had to get on a horse and go to Cruz Bay and get Miss Myrah, for whom the Clinic is named, and then she had to get on her horse and come all the way down to Sieben to make the
- [Creque Marine Railway, Hassel Island, a Walking Tour ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-6-february-2008-creque-marine-railway-hassel-island-a-walking-tour-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - SJHS Members, Creque descendants, Danish guests join VINP Archaeologist Ken Wild as he explains Hassel Island’s development timeline and the story of possibly the oldest remaining marine railway in the world (Summarized by Robin Swank) What enchants us upon landing on Hassel Island’s north shore is the visual impact of nearly intact metal, brick and
- [Estate Retreat Timeline  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/estate-retreat-timeline-compiled-from-david-knights-speaking-notes-for-the-st-john-historical-society-february-2008/) - Compiled from David Knight’s Speaking Notes for the St. John Historical Society, February 2008 Date Event 1728 The property that would become known as Retreat is originally granted to Niles Anderson. c1755 The neighboring Mt. Pleasant estate, is formed by the merger of four early land grants (Pier Castan, 1725; David Bordeaux, 1726; Barent Langemak,
- [Lignum vitae Beauty, Strength, and the Fallibility of Medicine ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-7-march-2008-lignum-vitae-beauty-strength-and-the-fallibility-of-medicine-by-eleanor-gibney/) - Most people who have spent any real amount of time in the West Indies are at least vaguely acquainted with the small tree known as lignum vitae—a Latin name meaning “wood of life”, but oddly enough, NOT the tree’s scientific name: that would be Guaiacum officinale— from the Taino name guayacan, and “officinale” meaning official,
- [EarthQuakes & Tsunamis: Prospects for the Virgin Islands Presented by Roy Watlington and Shirley Lincoln summarized by Robin Swank](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-7-march-2008-earthquakes-tsunamis-prospects-for-the-virgin-islands-presented-by-roy-watlington-and-shirley-lincoln-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (Presented by Roy Watlington and Shirley Lincoln, summarized by Robin Swank) In 1997 Roy Watlington and Shirley Lincoln published Disaster and Disruption in 1867: Hurricane, Earthquake and Tsunami in the Danish West Indies. It is a significant collection of primary documents–official proclamations, newspaper clippings of Damaged Goods Auctions and Notices of Reconstruction Crews for Hire, original lithographs
- [Lovango Cay Historical Timeline, March 2008](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/lovango-cay-historical-timeline-compiled-by-david-knight-for-the-st-john-historical-society-march-2008/) - Date Event 1728, Oct. 18 Deed to Lovango granted to William Gandy from the Danish West India & Guinea Company, with an 8-year tax amnesty to encourage plantation development. Gandy was a master carpenter who had worked for the DWI&GC in St. Thomas. He had previously been granted a waterfront parcel on Cinnamon Bay in
- [  Hike to Estate Retreat ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-8-april-2008-hike-to-estate-retreat-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - On Saturday February 16th, David Knight and Eleanor Gibney led a wonderful hike to one of St. John’s least documented 18th century sites. About thirty hikers got double-teamed– with historical, social and political information about Estate Retreat from David, and with the enriching view of history that Eleanor’s knowledge of the flora imparts to us.
- [Guy Benjamin, Kenneth Marsh, Edmond Roberts, Milton Samuel –Stories of the Last two Decades Presented to the SJHS Membership April 19, 2008 ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-10-june-2008-guy-benjamin-kenneth-marsh-edmond-roberts-milton-samuel-stories-of-the-last-two-decades-presented-to-the-sjhs-membership-april-19-2008-summarized-by-robin-sw/) - They did not have a formal presentation, they began, but would tell stories of life experiences, or of things they had heard, or that they knew about, that have to do with St John. There was much good natured laughter as this distinguished panel emphasized that these are not stories told by ‘old’ people, as
- [Reminiscence of the West India Islands, Second Series No V; Tortola: The Native Missionary ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-8-april-2008-reminiscence-of-the-west-india-islands-second-series-no-v-tortola-the-native-missionary-edited-by-daniel-p-kidder-published-by-lane-scott-for-the-sunday-school-unio/) - (Edited by Daniel P Kidder, Published by Lane & Scott for the Sunday School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1852.) CHAPTER VI The Methodist Society, in Tortola, was at this time in a very flourishing condition. Large accessions had been made to it during the preceding year. The lady of the governor-general of Tortola
- [God Parenting in the 1800’s to early 1900’s](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-9-may-2008-god-parenting-in-the-1800s-to-early-1900s-by-robin-swank/) - Godparenting has a long history in the Caribbean. Karen Fog Olwig writes about the role of godparents in the 1800’s and early 1900’s in Cultural Adaptation & Resistance on St John – Three Centuries of Afro-Caribbean Life.* Childcare, she says, like provisions or cooked food and favors, was passed freely among relatives living in different
- [Lovango Explore ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-9-may-2008-lovango-explore-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - On Saturday, March 8th, the “Sadie Sea” was loaded to her (legal) gills with a cargo of St. John Historical Society members and their provisions. We were crossing the tumultuous Windward Passage to Lovango Cay to see some old and some new real estate. Picturesque Smith Cottage Toni and Wally Leopold’s motley crew of canines,
- [The Role of GodParents and the Extended Family ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-9-may-2008-the-role-of-godparents-and-the-extended-family-presented-by-mr-elroy-sprauve-as-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (Presented by Mr. Elroy Sprauve, summarized by Robin Swank) The Bethany Moravian Church meeting house was packed the evening of March 11th. Our March membership meeting featured one of our favorite speakers, teachers, and experts on St Johnian culture, social customs and language, Mr. Elroy Sprauve. Mr. Elroy spoke from experience and as an observant historian
- [Masquerade – Costumes of the Atlantic Rim ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-ix-no-10-june-2008-masquerade-costumes-of-the-atlantic-rim-by-dr-robert-w-nicholls-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (By Dr. Robert W. Nicholls, Summarized by Robin Swank) Yet another reason to attend our St. John 4th of July Carnival parade! At our April membership meeting, Dr. Robert Nicholls told us the history of some of the characters parading at Carnival. He urged us to think of the entire Atlantic Rim as a
- [ A Week on St. John (Notes from Denmark’s most beautiful island) ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-1-october-2008-a-week-on-st-john-notes-from-denmarks-most-beautiful-island-by-olaf-linck/) - (Translated from an article in Gads Danske Maqasin, March 1914, by Leif Calundann Larsen. Olaf Linck [1874-1958] was a prominent Danish journalist and novelist. Members may recall his article “Christmas Eve Aboard the Ingolf” which appeared in our December 2007 newsletter.) During my second journey to the West Indies in the winter of 1912-13, I
- [Maps, Matricals, and Material Remains An Archaeological GIS of Late- Eighteenth-Century Historic Sites on St. John, Danish West Indies ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-2-november-2008-maps-matricals-and-material-remains-an-archaeological-gis-of-late-eighteenth-century-historic-sites-on-st-john-danish-west-indies-by-douglas-v-armstrong-mark-w/) - (Excerpted by permission from Archaeology and Geoinformatics-Case Studies from the Caribbean, edited by Basil A. Reid. The University of Alabama Press, Copyright 2008, By Douglas V. Armstrong, Mark W Hauser, David W Knight, and Stephan Lenik) The steep and rugged landscape of St. John along with its irregular rainfall made it marginal to the capital
- [A Family Album by Anna Dohm Nose Presentation to the SJHS Membership December 9, 2008](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-4-january-2009-a-family-album-by-anna-dohm-nose-presentation-to-the-sjhs-membership-december-9-2008-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - It was front page news on December 21, 1937, the local Daily News in fact, when Peter and Elsa Dohm and family arrived in their 10 meter yawl, Rest More, after a three year voyage. When the voyage began, Anna was four months old. Thus begins a family album covering the activities of this adventurous
- [Botany Bay Notes 1/17/2009 ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/botany-bay-notes-1172009-condensed-from-a-history-of-botany-bay-by-david-w-knight-2001/) - Condensed from “A History of Botany Bay” by David W. Knight (2001) Table of Contents The Prehistoric Presence at Botany Bay The Botany Bay Plantation Early European Settlement at Botany Bay The West End Plantation Consolidation on St. Thomas’s Far West End The Bathazar Caspar Busch Plantation, 1703 – 1745 The Abraham Tessamacher PLantation, 1703
- [Images from the Frank Stick and Rockefeller Family Archives ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-3-december-2008-images-from-the-frank-stick-and-rockefeller-family-archives-presented-by-steve-simonsen-and-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - Steve Simonsen—Photographer, Publisher[1], Producer, and our Speaker (Presented by Steve Simonsen, summarized by Robin Swank) A standing-room–only crowd of over 100 Members and guests greeted Steve Simonsen at lovely Bethany Church Hall for the first Membership meeting of the season. Steve presented four films and four series of ’stills’ to a variety of tunes), that
- [Botany Bay Estate–Our Trek to St. Thomas ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-6-march-2009-botany-bay-estate-our-trek-to-st-thomas-assembled-from-david-knights-11709-handouts-his-timeline-notes-on-estate-botany-bay-and-trek-dialogue-summ/) - (Assembled from David Knight’s 1/17/09 Handouts, his Timeline Notes on Estate Botany Bay, and Trek Dialogue, Summarized by Robin Swank) Occasionally the SJHS sojourns far afield of St. John. On this Saturday, fifty members and guests journeyed to the far west end of St. Thomas to Estate Botany Bay, a private landholding of Warren H.
- [Estate Misgunst Meander Led by David Knight and Eleanor Gibney  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-7-april-2009-estate-misgunst-meander-led-by-david-knight-and-eleanor-gibney-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - A handful of red Canavalia nitida seeds, rarely found in the V.I. and on right, a detailed drawing of the Locust tree (Hymanea courbaril). It is a multi–purpose tree—its pods are edible, the sap produces a natural medicine, and the wood makes admirable timber. There were a succession of inland Estates on St. John–Maria’s Hope,
- [A Remembrance of St. John by Anna W. Knight, c1987](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-7-april-2009-a-remembrance-of-st-john-by-anna-w-knight-c1987-edited-and-condensed-by-david-knight-2009/) - Anna (Billy) Wolmer Knight (Photo courtesy of David Knight) Edited and condensed by David Knight-2009 (Anna Wolner Knight (affectionately known to most folks on St. John as “Billy”) was the Mother of board member David Knight. She was born in New York in 1911, the first child of recently-arrived German immigrants. At the age of
- [Danish Artist Hugo Larsen‘s Cultural Portrait of Our Islands 1904-1907  ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-8-may-2009-danish-artist-hugo-larsens-cultural-portrait-of-our-islands-1904-1907-presented-by-edgar-lake-and-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - (Presented by Edgar Lake, summarized by Robin Swank) “Danish Artist Hugo Larsen’s Cultural Portrait Of Our Islands 1904-1907” was screened at our final membership meeting of the 2008-09 season. This DVD was beautifully written, directed, and produced by two hugely prolific artists-- photographer and filmmaker Erik Miles, and author, screenwriter and playwright Edgar O. Lake.
- [African Roots Project Reprise–St. John Emigration to St. Croix ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-8-may-2009-african-roots-project-reprise-st-john-emigration-to-st-croix-presented-by-george-tyson-summarized-by-robin-swank/) - The African Roots Project‘s noted historian George Tyson summarized both the history of the project‘s database build and its exciting uses at the Society‘s March membership meeting. (Presented by George Tyson, summarized by Robin Swank) The Virgin Islands Social History Associates (VISHA) initiated the St. Croix African Roots Project (SCARP) in 2002 in order to investigate the population
- [The Testimony of William Blackstock [A True Story of Piracy and Buried Treasure on Norman Island] ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-xi-no-2-november-2009-the-testimony-of-william-blackstock-a-true-story-of-piracy-and-buried-treasure-on-norman-island-by-david-w-knight/) - (The following story is true. It has been wholly compiled from primary archival sources: no names, dates or particulars of the case have been changed. Any constructed details were added solely out of well informed supposition and a studied understanding of the places and events portrayed.) Vice-Governor of the Danish West Indies Christian Suhm reached
- [All the Fault of Peter Fink ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-xi-no-3-december-2009-all-the-fault-of-peter-fink-by-nancy-flagg-gibney-1978/) - (Nancy Gibney is the Mother of Eleanor Gibney, the immediate past President of the Society. Before moving to St. John in the 1940s Ms. Gibney was a Vogue Magazine editor. Our newsletter of November 2006 included one of her articles which appeared in the October 1, 1948 issue of that magazine—“A Report from Paradise…The Virgin
- [Old Time Toys and Handmade Gifts ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-january-2010-old-time-toys-and-handmade-gifts-by-robin-swank/) - A glimpse of Christmas Past was available to the public on Saturday December 12th, 2009. On display in the Lutheran Church yard in Cruz Bay was a collection of historical items, mostly from the 1930s through the 1950s, an era when St John residents, with quiet industry and self-sufficiency, hand-made their own gifts and toys
- [The St. John Market Basket ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-january-2010-the-st-john-market-basket-by-eleanor-gibney/) - For as long as I’ve been involved with the St. John Historical Society–and probably ever since the Society’s inception in the mid-1970s–we’ve wanted to have a logo: an image that evoked St. John’s history and culture and some of the unique attributes of both. The St. John market basket — a basket unique to St.
- [A Boat Accident (The following has been excerpted from LIGHTBOURNS’ MAIL NOTES)](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-february-2010-a-boat-accident-the-following-has-been-excerpted-from-lightbourns-mail-notes-provided-courtesy-of-society-historian-mr-elroy-sprauve-by-johannes-lightbourn/) - (Provided courtesy of Society Historian, Mr. Elroy Sprauve... By Johannes Lightbourn) St. Thomas, July 15, 1907. It has never been our lot to record such a catastrophe as that which occurred on Saturday night off the Southern coast of this island. The boat Sea Gull, under the command of Sandford Sprauve, left here after 6 o’clock
- [About Robert H. Schomburgk…](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-5-february-2010-about-robert-h-schomburgkthe-artist-responsible-for-our-cover-image-by-eleanor-gibney/) - More than three decades ago, in the torrentially rainy final months of the 1970s, I got a job with the Grounds Department at Caneel Bay, never imagining the long and intimate relationship with plant life that this would lead to. The Cow-Horn Orchid (Schomburgkia-humboldtii) (Image courtesy of Eleanor Gibney) In several of the old flamboyant and
- [Waterlemon Bay at the Turn of the Nineteenth Century ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-6-march-2010-waterlemon-bay-at-the-turn-of-the-nineteenth-century-by-robin-swank/) - (Summarized by Robin Swank) On the morning of January 25, 2010, forty-plus SJHS members, their guests and visitors, joined historian David W. Knight for an imagined journey back in time along the shore of Waterlemon Bay (AKA: Leinster Bay). While this pristine one-half-mile stretch of our National Park’s North Shore appears remote and “unspoiled” to
- [Joe Popp: A Case of Ultimate Resistance ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-6-march-2010-joe-popp-a-case-of-ultimate-resistance-by-david-w-knight/) - In the pre-dawn hours of November 5, 1839, Joe Popp somehow freed himself from the heavy iron shackles that bound his legs and escaped from the detention cell on the Annaberg plantation. After quietly making his way to Water Lemon Bay, Popp swam out to the estate’s boat -- a sloop named the Kitty Berg
- [Merchant N. S. Hjardemaal of Cinnamon Bay, St. John ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-7-april-2010-merchant-n-s-hjardemaal-of-cinnamon-bay-st-john-by-david-knight-with-annotation-by-eleanor-gibney/) - (By David Knight, with annotation by Eleanor Gibney) Nicolai Severon Hjardemaal was born in Denmark on September 21, 1774. Before coming to the Danish West Indies in 1800, Hjardemaal lived for many years in the thriving industrial center of Flensburg in Schleswig-Holstein, where he honed his skills in business. After arriving in St. Croix, Hjardemaal
- [A Tribute to John Achzet (5/24/1927–9/19/10) ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/a-tribute-to-john-achzet-5241927-91910-by-bev-biziewski-and-mary-moroney/) - (By Bev Biziewski and Mary Moroney) John was a special man who was liked by so very many, as was evident at his memorial service in Penn Yan, NY, when 300 people filled the pews. Known for his kindness, John was unable to say no to anyone… he forever had a helping hand out. He
- [Vaniniberg Estate Hike](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vaniniberg-estate-hike/) - (Presented by David Knight and Eleanor Gibney Summarized by Robin Swank) Three dozen hikers attended the last SJHS event of the 2009-2010 season - an engaging trek to Estate Vaniniberg. The tour of this little-known and little-documented colonial estate was led by historian David Knight and botanist Eleanor Gibney. Vaniniberg, David tells us, was formed
- [The Cholera Epidemic of 1853–1854 ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/vol-x-no-7-april-2010-the-cholera-epidemic-of-1853-1854-by-david-knight/) - Early on a Friday morning in December 1853, three fishermen from the Hull Bay plantation on the north shore of St. Thomas gave aid to a sailing vessel that appeared to be drifting and in distress. Unbeknownst to the fishermen, the vessel was a “plague” ship, and the gifts from the passengers that the fishermen
- [A Timeline of the Establishment of the Town of Cruz Bay, St. John](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/a-timeline-of-the-establishment-of-the-town-of-cruz-bay-st-john-2/) - 1672 — The Danish West Indies Company successfully occupies St. Thomas and claims it, along with adjacent unoccupied islands, in the name of the Danish Crown. 1680 - As early as 1680 census documents for the Danish West Indies record Danish-sanctioned settlers on St. John. 1718 — On March 25, 1718, Governor of the Danish
- [Losing Ground](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/losing-ground/) - The heavy rains that have saturated St. John this year have caused major inconvenience for many residents—and terror and heartbreak for some who live in vulnerable areas. The most visible and dramatic effects of the inundation have been along St. John’s most costly and heavily engineered stretch of road: the section of Centerline between Bordeaux
- [Dear Judge, … Margaret Braithwaite](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/dear-judge-margaret-braithwaite/) - I never fail to be amazed at the depth and breadth of the information that can be gleaned from research in Danish West Indies archives. Once you have ventured beyond the volumes of governmental tax accounts and reams of administrative files – the proclamations, the probates, the auctions, the appraisals, the guardianships, the judgments
- [Crystal Blue View of Tektite II](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/crystal-blue-view-of-tektite-ii/) - (On November 6, 2010, the St. John Historical Society and Cleans Islands International, which manages the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) for the University of the Virgin Islands, co-hosted a 40th anniversary commemoration of the Conclusion of the Tektite II project at VIERS. Don Near is a long-time Interpretive Ranger at Virgin Islands National
- [Albert E. Daniel - His Life Works](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/albert-e-daniel-his-life-works/) - (Summarized by Jessica Hornbeck.) Magda Smith, long-time St. John resident, student of art history and former Director of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, introduced those gathered at our November membership meeting to native Virgin Islands artist Albert E. Daniel with his own words: Albert E. Daniel (with Mass Hysteria), 1980 (Photo by Ray Miles) “Never
- [The Establishment of Estate Bellevue: Jewel In The Crown Of The St. John Plantocracy, 1721-1728](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/the-establishment-of-estate-bellevue-jewel-in-the-crown-of-the-st-john-plantocracy-1721-1728/) - The ruins of the Bellevue estate house and plantation compound sit prominently atop a wooded knoll in the Gift Hill area of St. John’s Cruz Bay Quarter. The estate was originally created by a merging of two early-period Danish colonial land grants, each with a recorded measurement of 3,000’ by 1,500’ (Danish feet). Added to
- [Memorandum on $100K Donation](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/memorandum/) - (The following is a note received by the Society announcing a $100,000 donation.) For 40 years, the St. John Historical Society has been meticulously documenting, preserving, and sharing the history and cultural heritage of St. John. Through its collections, publications, media, educational programs, meetings, field trips, special events and more, the Historical Society has been,
- [President's Message](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/presidents-message/) - It was wonderful to see so many of our members and their guests at our 40th Anniversary Party at the Battery on March 11! Obviously, the most exciting thing to happen at the party (not counting the unusual March downpour during the movie which ended our party a little prematurely), was our announcement of an
- [The Search for Thomas Ivinson: Plantation Manager in Danish West Indies ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/the-search-for-thomas-ivinson-plantation-manager-in-the-danish-west-indies-by-sjhs-member-kim-viner-in-the-city-of-laramie/) - (Contributed by SJHS Member Kim Viner in the city of Laramie) On the high plains of southeastern Wyoming stands a wonderful 1892 mansion built by Edward Ivinson. Edward was one of the most prominent men in the community for many years and a noted philanthropist later in his life. The fully restored house is now
- [The Last Kayak Adventure ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/the-last-kyack/) - The following article is a special Five Quarters supplement written and designed by SJHS member Valerie Sims. It tells the tale of the legendary Captain Franz Romer, who set out to make the first recorded crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a sea kayak. The SJHS Media Committee is grateful for Valerie’s captivating contribution. Please

## Pages

- [Home](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/) - Join Us!Help Bring History to LifeLearn More Join UsBecome a member of this unique group that is dedicated to standing as vanguards of the St. John Island heritage and bringing history to life.Learn More All Ah We GalaMarch 14, 2017 • 5:30pm A one night display featuring St. John family histories & genealogies and the
- [Board of Directors](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/board/) - Article IV of the Society’s Bylaws provides that there shall be seven (7) officers and four (4) representatives who comprise the Board of Directors of the Society. The Bylaws also provide that the board shall be elected by the membership. The officer’s positions consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Archivist/Alternate Secretary, Historian and
- [Join Us](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/join/) - Join Us Join for as little as $30 per year Support of the Society Fifty years from now, today will be history. Act now to help the St. John Historical Society (SJHS) preserve, document, and share the unique historical and cultural history of our island. “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny
- [Cultural and Historic Resource Center](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/visit/cultural-and-historic-resource-center/) - Cultural and Historic Resource Center Donate Now Preserving elements of our history and heritage is an essential part of the Society’s mission. But as important as this is, making it available to the public is even more so. Over the years the Society has accumulated and preserved numerous historical artifacts, photographs and written materials of
- [Events & Programs](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/events/) - Events & Programs Meetings and Events: Welcome! Our 42nd season--in bringing the history of St. John and the Virgin Islands to life for our community--has now concluded. Each year, from November through April you may expect stimulating and entertaining monthly meetings chosen by our board of directors and presented by historians, crafts people, artisans, musicians and
- [Past Events](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/past-events/) - FINAL MEETING OF THE 2015-2016 SEASON On Tuesday, April 12th at the Bethany Moravian Church Hall at 7 p.m. is our final members' meeting for the 2015-2016 season. Friends, family, and visitors are all welcome! Eleanor Gibney, with the help of Rafe Boulon, will be narrating a slide show entitled "Postcards from the Past". Handpicked from an
- [Corporate/Non-Profit Status/Legal/ Copyright](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/corporate-information/) - Corporate/Non-Profit Status/Legal/Copyright The St. John Historical Society was first established in 1974 and formally incorporated in 1976 as a Non-Profit Corporation, under the laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its primary purpose and objective from the beginning has been to support and encourage the preservation and protection of objects, structures, traditions, and features of historic,
- [What We Do](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/what-we-do/) - What We Do The St. John Historical Society is your starting place for exploring the people, places and events that shaped the history of St. John. Whether you are conducting research, preparing a lesson plan, looking for something fun to do, a history buff who appreciates rare documents and photos, or just in love with
- [Hot Steel at Cruz Bay](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/music/hot-steel-at-cruz-bay/) - Hot Steel at Cruz Bay If you want to hear the real driving steel drums of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you ignore the big board bands of the tourist hotels and look for a swinging bunch of amateurs in a small town bar or dance hall. One such steel band is Charlie Prentice’s “Hot Shots.”
- [Special Links of Interest](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/special-links-of-interest/) - Danish State Archives Danish West Indies Society Department of Geosciences University of Missouri-Kansas City Friends of Virgin Islands National Park "Geographic Dictionary of the Virgin Islands"by James William McGuire (published 1925) Geology of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands Hugo Larsen Library of Congress Montserrat Volcano Observatory Profiles of Famous Virgin Islanders St. Croix Landmarks Society
- [Holiday in the West Indies](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/music/holiday-in-the-west-indies/) - Holiday in the West Indies The warm color and exotic spell of the West Indies conjure up a multitude of pleasures for even the most seasoned world-traveler. There is hardly another scenic region order the sun that has preen flattered with no many romantic phrases! All are eminently deserved, for this is “the land of
- [Marie Richards in Folklore Melodies](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/music/marie-richards-in-folklore-melodies/) - Marie Richards in Folklore Melodies Side A MISS SUE BOMBOOSHAY AND ROAST-a-time THESE BEAUTIFUL VIRGIN ISLES MOM GOOSE COME OUT OF YOUR HOLE-Poem GET ON THE BEAT TO SUNSHINE STREET-Poem KEEP AWAY FROM ROGER BRIDGE STAND ON YOUR FEET AND FIGHT- Poem THE STORY OF 1878-Poem Side B POT ON FIRE POND BUSH CRAB DON,
- [Music Collection](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/music/) - Music Collection Hot Steel at Cruz Bay If you want to hear the real driving steel drums of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you ignore the big bored bands of the tourist hotels and look for a swinging bunch of amateurs in a small town bar or dance hall. One such steel band is Charlie Prentice’s
- [Documents](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/documents/) - Documents
- [Governor Pearson](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/presentations/governor-pearson/) - Governor Pearson
- [Enduring Eloquence](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/presentations/enduring-eloquence/) - Enduring Eloquence
- [Multimedia Collection](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/multimedia/) - Multimedia Collection
- [St John Scenes](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/st-john-scenes/) - St John Scenes
- [Postcards](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/postcards/) - Postcards
- [Way It Was](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/way-it-was/) - Way It Was
- [SJHS Events](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/sjhs-events/) - SJHS Events
- [Who? Where?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/who-where/) - Who? Where?
- [St. John-Impressions of a Happy Island](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/st-john-impressions-of-a-happy-island/) - St. John-Impressions of a Happy Island
- [Grandma Raised the Roof](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/grandma-raised-the-roof/) - Grandma Raised the Roof
- [Scrapbook](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/scrapbook/) - Scrapbook
- [Family Album of Anna Dohm Nose](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/family-album-of-anna-dohm-nose/) - Family Album of Anna Dohm Nose
- [St Thomas Scenes](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/st-thomas-scenes/) - St Thomas Scenes
- [St John Images: 1930s - 1970s, by Dr George H. H. Knight](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/st-john-images-1930s-1970s-by-dr-george-h-h-knight/) - St John Images: 1930s – 1970s, by Dr George H. H. Knight
- [Historical Buildings](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/historical-buildings-loc-habshaer/) - Historical Buildings
- [Contact Us](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/contact/)
- [Newsletter](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/newsletter/) - Newsletter St. John Historical Society Newsletter: Five Quarters News Our monthly newsletter is published from October through May each year and then typically twice more in the off season. We are delighted to offer you a free copy of this publication by simply clicking the signup button and providing us with your e-mail address. This
- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/) - Frequently Asked Questions Discover more about us Information About St. John Historical Society When was the St. John Historical Society founded?In February of 1974.What is the mission of the Society?Since its inception, the Society’s mission has been to document, preserve and share with the public, the history of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- [Photo Collection](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/photos/) - Photo Collection Historic Buildings Family Album of Anna Dohm Nose St Thomas Scenes St John Images: 1930s - 1970s, by Dr George H. H. Knight 2 Scrapbook Grandma Raised the Roof St. John-Impressions of a Happy Island SJHS Events Who? Where? Way It Was Postcards St John Scenes
- [Education](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/visit/education/) - Education Education and community are two of the core values that underlie the St. John Historical Society. For this reason we have worked with the local schools and have major plans to establish an educational outreach program targeted toward the youth of St. John. The goal is to work with educators to design a series
- [Blog Timeline](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/blog-timeline/)
- [Slideshare](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/slideshare/)
- [Core Values](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/values/) - Core Values Our core values answer, “Why do we do what we do?” They are at the foundation of our organization. History On St. John you’ll find history under every rock, on every beach, and on every trail. It’s everywhere to those who take time to notice. St. John Historical Society maintains an archive of
- [Nearby Attractions and Accommodations](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/visit/nearby/) - Nearby Attractions and Accommodations St. John is the most peaceful, smallest and most rural of the U.S. Virgin Islands–which consist of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. These islands formerly known as the Danish West Indies were owned by Denmark, but in 1917 were acquired by the United States. Visitors come to St. John
- [Elements](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/elements-shortcodes/) - Elements Template Features Accordion Fully Responsive Modern Business TemplateFull Theme OptionFull Support Consequat eu lorem ipsum dolor sit amet inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Full Theme Option Consequat eu lorem ipsum dolor sit amet inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Full Support Consequat eu lorem ipsum
- [Directions](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/visit/directions/)
- [Visit Us](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/visit/)
- [Presentations](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/presentations/)
- [Media Library](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/media/)
- [Store](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/store/)
- [About Us](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/about/) - Who We Are Raw denim you probably haven’t heard of them jean shorts Austin. Etiam ut lacus a dui accumsan accumsan tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Asunt in anim uis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in
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## Products

- [An Historical Walking Map of Cruz Bay](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/product/an-historical-walking-map-of-cruz-bay/) - An Historical Walking Map of Cruz Bay will take you on an historical journey around town at your own pace. Follow the numbers on artist Lisa Etre's rendering as you experience the historical nature of the town of Cruz Bay. This 18x12" 2-sided full color map has explanations of architecture, notes about our famous and
- [St. John – Life in Five Quarters Downloadable Bundle](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/product/st-john-life-in-five-quarters-downloadable-bundle/) - Selected readings from the archives of the St John Historical Society. This 200+ page book of local stories, pictures, and history includes accounts of prominent people and notable places, firsthand descriptions of earlier ways of life on St John, fact-based histories of estate ‘ruins’ we have rambled, and an impressive collection of interesting and beautiful images and photos, many of which have never been previously published. Zip Format - (.pdf .epub .prc) - 30MB
- [Donate](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/product/donate/) - Make a donation to St. John Historical Society.
- [SJHS Membership](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/product/membership/) - Membership includes Society's newsletter and free participation in many of the Society's events. Membership dues are for the Calendar Year (Jan. - Dec.)

## Employee

- [Colin Hanson](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/colin-hanson/) - I came to St. John from my hometown of Sitka, Alaska when I was 18 years old. Now, over 25 years later, I’m still here. To say I love the island is an understatement. It’s not just the culture, people, and history that I love. The actual Island gives me a certain undeniable peace. The history of the island
- [Lonnie Willis](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/lonnie-willis/) - Lonnie was born in Brooklyn and brought up in Long Island. She received a B.A. degree in American Studies with a minor in Social Work from the University of Buffalo, as well as studying Folklore and Folklife at the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband and two young children came to St. John in
- [Larry Wilson](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/larry-wilson/) - Larry Wilson and his wife Joan became permanent residents of St. John upon buying their woodland home in the ridgetop forest of Bordeaux Mountain in June of 2011. They had first come to St. John exploring possible Caribbean locations for their retirement home, in 2003. Beginning with their 3rd visit in 2007, they stayed in
- [Lorelei Monsanto](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/lorelei-monsanto/) - Lorelei Monsanto comes to our organization with the credentials of a longtime community organizer and activist. She is a proud Virgin Islander with deep roots in both St. Thomas and St. John. She is passionate about saving and sharing the culture, history and stories of St. John.
- [Laurel Brannick](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/laurel-brannick/) - Laurel Brannick grew up in Brooklyn New York. She attended Brooklyn College and graduated in 1985, with a degree in Education and Recreation. Laurel always loved the water. Her nickname as a child was Laurel Pool, as she was usually in the pool as much as possible. Laurel’s first job in New York was as
- [Weldon Wasson](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/weldon-wasson/) - I was born in Oakland, CA, went to school there, married Ellie in 1978 and honeymooned in the Virgin Islands where we fell in love with St. John. We purchased an apartment on St. John in 1980 and a home in 1997. I co-founded a temporary IT staffing business in San Francisco and sold the
- [Kathy Hilliard](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/kathy-hilliard/) - Kathy Hilliard moved from St Thomas to St John in 1979 to work on the restoration of the historic building that is now the Elaine Sprauve Library. She served as the Head of Pine Peace School from 1981 until 1994 overseeing the growth of the Gifft Hill campus, student population and initial accreditation. The family
- [Rafe Boulon](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/rafe-boulon/) - Rafe is a St. Johnian whose family owned Trunk Bay from 1927 to 1957 when they sold it to the National Park Service. Windswept Beach remains in the family. He has a Bachelors Degree in Marine and Environmental Science from the College of the Virgin Islands and a Master’s Degree in Biological Oceanography from the
- [Elroy Sprauve](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/elroy-sprauve/) - Mr. Elroy Sprauve was born and raised on St. John. His childhood home was on Cruz Bay beach. He attended Bethany School, and graduated from Charlotte Amalie HS. His father, Julius E. Sprauve, was the first elected Senator from St. John. Upon receiving his degree in Spanish and English from Thiel College in Greenville, PA.,
- [Eleanor Gibney](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/eleanor-gibney/) - A Virgin Islander and lifelong resident of St John’s north shore, Eleanor worked for Caneel Bay from 1979 to 1995, resigning from her position as Caneel’s Chief Horticulturist to raise her family. She is an expert on the indigenous and cultivated plants of the Virgin Islands, and the author of "A Field Guide to the
- [Dr. George F. Tyson](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/dr-george-f-tyson/) - George is a historian, who is widely recognized as a leading authority on Virgin Islands history. Currently a resident of St. Croix, he has taught at the University of the Virgin Islands, served as Executive Director of the St. Croix Landmarks Society and is past-President of the Society of Virgin Islands Historians. He has served
- [Robin Swank](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/robin-swank/) - Armed with a college degree in Anthropology and Masters in Education, Robin proceeded to work in New York’s social services delivery system, Head Start, corporate risk management, banking and credit card services, and international funds custody and securities lending. A few cultural anthropology studies (e.g. impact of retirement on the sense of self, the use
- [David W. Knight, Sr.](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/employee/david-w-knight-sr/) - David was first brought to St. John at the age of 9 months old by his parents who built a home in Cruz Bay in the late 1940s. He is a freelance cultural resource consultant, historian and author. His professional goal has always been to bring the rich historical legacy of the Virgin Islands into

## FAQ

- [Does the Society qualify as an Educational Non-Profit Corporation under Federal IRS rules applicable to 501(c)(3) entities?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/how-can-i-get-support-for-an-item-which-isnt-working-correctly/) - Yes, in 2001, the Society applied for and was granted Non-Profit status by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. As such, the Society is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3). In the same year, the Society’s Non-Profit status was
- [How many historic stone windmill towers are on St. John? Where are they located? What was their purpose?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/how-many-historic-stone-windmill-towers-are-on-st-john-where-are-they-located-what-was-their-purpose/) - There are five windmills on the island. They are located on the estates of Denis Bay, Annaberg, Susannaberg, Catherineberg and Carolina in Coral Bay. Their purpose was to crush the sugar cane stalks in order to extract the juice for processing into brown sugar, molasses and rum.
- [In what year was St. John first formally settled by Europeans and Africans? Where did these settlers land to claim the island?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/in-what-year-was-st-john-first-formally-settled-by-europeans-and-africans-where-did-these-settlers-land-to-claim-the-island/) - 1718 in Coral Bay. Click here to learn about Danish struggle to settle St. John.
- [What groundbreaking scientific research project took place at Great Lameshur Bay in the 1960s? ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/what-groundbreaking-scientific-research-project-took-place-at-great-lameshur-bay-in-the-1960s/) - The Tektite undersea project, which involved placing four Department of Interior scientists 50-feet below the surface of the ocean for a sixty-day period. It was a program jointly administered by the Navy, NASA and the Department of Interior. The undersea lodging that housed the aquanauts was manufactured by General Electric’s Missile and Space Division. This
- [In what year did the Virgin Islands National Park come into being on St. John.](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/in-what-year-did-the-virgin-islands-national-park-come-into-being-on-st-john/) - The Virgin Islands National Park was dedicated on December 1, 1956. By an Act of Congress, the park’s boundaries were established to include 9,485 acres, leaving some 3,000 acres, comprising the two the settlements on the island—Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, to remain outside its boundaries for the benefit of the local population. Click here
- [On what part of St. John will you find Bork Creek, Otter Creek, Water Creek and Princess Bay?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/on-what-part-of-st-john-will-you-find-bork-creek-otter-creek-water-creek-and-princess-bay/) - Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay.
- [What was St. John called before 1917?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/what-was-st-john-called-before-1917/) - St. Jan
- [When the United States purchased our islands in 1917 their name was changed to “The Virgin Islands of the United States.” What were the islands called before the USA purchased them? ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/when-the-united-states-purchased-our-islands-in-1917-their-name-was-changed-to-the-virgin-islands-of-the-united-states-what-were-the-islands-called-before-the-usa-purchased-them/) - Danish West Indies
- [How is the Historical Society governed?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/an-introduction-to-the-marketplaces-for-authors/) - The organization has been sustained and assured by a succession of very dedicated volunteer Board members. Its policies, objectives and mission are all set forth in its Bylaws, which have been periodically updated and are on file with the regulatory authorities.
- [What is the mission of the Society? ](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/test-item/) - Since its inception, the Society’s mission has been to document, preserve and share with the public, the history of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This has been achieved with the help of numerous professional historians, crafts people, artisans, musicians and educators who have brought this island’s rich history to life. Through its collections,
- [When was the St. John Historical Society founded?](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/faq/how-do-i-make-an-faq/) - In February of 1974.

## Portfolio

- [Portfolio Item 12](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-12/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
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- [Portfolio Item 08](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-08/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 07](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-07/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 06](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-06/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 05](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-05/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 04](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-04/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 03](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-03/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 02](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-02/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu
- [Portfolio Item 01](https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/portfolio-items/portfolio-item-01/) - A Portfolio Item Example Maecenas sed justo varius velit imperdiet bibendum. Vivamus nec sapien massa, a imperdiet diam. Project Detail Raw denim you probably haven't heard of them jean shorts Austin. Nesciunt tofu stumptown aliqua, retro synth master cleanse. Mustache cliche tempor, williamsburg carles vegan helvetica. Reprehenderit butcher retro keffiyeh dreamcatcher synth. Cosby sweater eu

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