For those who are curious, the first local band to play in the Emancipation Park was the Lionel Robert’s Brass Band. Here is the article that appeared in the St. Thomas Tidende on March 23, 1907. The Lionel Roberts Band “The Lionel Roberts’ Brass Band, composed of some 18 musicians, played in the Emancipation Garden […]
DANISH West Indies
How Hotel Italia in St. Thomas Became a Popular Movie Venue During World War I by Dr. Dante Beretta
Opening Night: Lights, Camera, Action! Light from the half moon shimmered on old Charlotte Amalia harbor. Gentle trade winds cooled patrons gathered in the yard facing the sea. After announcements were made, the crowd hushed as newly installed electric lamps were switched off. The distinctive click-click-click-click of the 35-mm film feeding through the reel and […]
8 Christmas Carols Sung in St. Croix ~ 1912
St. Paul’s Episcopal Anglican Church. Courtesy of the Royal Danish library St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Above is a beautiful photograph of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located in Frederiksted, St. Croix. It was taken the year of her centenary celebrations, 1912. Christmas Carols During the Christmas holidays one year, a new stained glass window was […]
Thorny Catch-and-Keep: The Country Policeman of our Islands’ Past by Dr. Dante Beretta
[Warning: Some of the content, language, and accompanying documents of this article may be uncomfortable to some. Nonetheless, the author chose to include these items to remain as accurate as possible to the story.] Catch-and Keep and the White Police This past February, we were visiting my old childhood homestead in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin […]
How All Saints Church Celebrated the Crucifiction on Good Friday ~ 1904
Celebrating Good Friday at All Saint’s Church Visit the Shop!
Rare Pissarro Drawing from St. Thomas on Exhibit in London by Dr. Dante Beretta
“He had the good fortune to be born in the Antilles.” Born on the island of St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) is well known for his role in French Impressionism. Camille Pissarro was one of the most influential members of the French Impressionist movement. Stern Pissarro Gallery in London is hosting […]
10 Antique Views of the Virgin Islands Available for Sale
Antique Views of the Virgin Islands For those who love collecting Virgin Islands memorabilia, there’s a rare album created by F.M. Corneiro available on eBay today. Inside, are ten views of St. Thomas including, Fort Christian, Government house and many of the local churches. This is a one-of-a-kind collection. Have a look at previous treasures […]
Close Call for 2 St. John Fishermen When Their Boat Capsized ~ 1908
Fishermen’s Boat Capsizes Two local fishermen swam for their lives using nothing but the buoys from their fishpots to stay afloat. It happened over a hundred years ago on a blustery, Saturday morning in September, in the midst of hurricane season. Between 9 and 10 am, Thomas Rymer, and his friend, Alexander Benjamin were out […]