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Velcommen! Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visits the U.S. Virgin Islands ~ 1976

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visits the U.S. Virgin Islands. By Valerie Sims

On May 28, 1976, Queen Margrethe II and her family visited the U.S. Virgin Islands, stopping to see all three of the major islands, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix! 🇻🇮

The Queen was the first ruling monarch of Denmark to visit these islands, formerly known as the Danish West Indies.🇩🇰

Everyone was excited to extend a hearty welcome to them!  Accompanying her on the royal yacht, Dannebrog, was her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Henrik and their two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.

Touring St. Thomas

With a large entourage of newspaper reporters, the Queen made her busy rounds of receptions, ceremonies and official functions.  This is a great experience for both of us, she said.  We feel so very much at home, though we are far from Denmark.  
Queen Margrethe II visits the US Virgin Islands ~ 1976 By Valerie Sims
Queen Margrethe II was the first ruling Danish Monarch to visit historic Crown House, built in 1740. See May 28, 1976, V.I. Daily News

As the youngest Queen in the oldest Monarchy in Europe, one of her special duties was to place a wreath on the grave of a Danish military man in the old Danish Cemetery.

Other visits around St. Thomas included lunch at Denmark Hill, a visit to Drake's Seat and a tour of the Frederik Lutheran Church, the official church of the Danish West Indies. ✟

The Queen's favorite, however, was mingling with some of the friendly Market Square vendors and business owners as she paused to buy some produce.

Here, she met store owner Bill LaMotta and others, chatting to them casually as if they were old friends.  She was surprised to learn that one of the landmarks nearby, the old well, was dedicated to her grandfather.

Queen Margrethe & family tour St. John

 

After a long day of touring, the Royals sailed over to Cruz Bay, anchoring just outside the harbor. The Cruz Bay park was decorated with welcoming banners and hundreds of fresh flowers in anticipation of her arrival.

After a brief ceremony, the family visited Annaberg and then a quick swim for the Prince's at Caneel Bay, where the above photograph was taken. 📷

Touring St. Croix

The next destination, St. Croix, was much anticipated. As the Queen's motorcade drove through Frederiksted, spectators lined the roads happy to finally see her.

She toured Fort Frederik, the Queen Louise home for children, then on to Little La Grange and Annaly where she was entertained by the Lawaetz family.

In Christiansted, she viewed the historic Steeple Building, the Customs and Scale house and, of course, Fort Christiansvaern where she spent extra time engaging with visitors who came out to see her.

"I am most impressed, she said, by the way in which so many old buildings have been preserved in the islands, buildings which are in many ways, typical of Danish architecture, from one of the most flourishing and graceful periods of our architectural history."

Awards Ceremony

Before departing, Queen Margarethe honored eight Virgin Islanders. They received awards on her behalf from the Danish Consul in the islands, Mr. Sven Larsen.

The list included Governor Cyril E. King, Senate President Elmo D. Roebuck, Senator Fritz Lawaetz, James Bough, Hein Christensen, Dr. Sven Larsen, Dr. John Moorhead, Enid Baa and Eva Lawaetz.

Today marks the 41th anniversary of Queen Margrethe's remarkable visit to our shores! 👑

Copyright © 2017 Valerie Sims.  All Rights Reserved.

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The Inauguration of the FIRST Civilian Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Paul M. Pearson ~ 1931

The Inauguration of the FIRST civilian Governor, Paul M. Pearson in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1931 By Valerie Sims
Family members await the Inauguration of Governor Paul M. Pearson. Photo: G.T. Small

The Inauguration of the FIRST civilian Governor, Paul M. Pearson in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1931 By Valerie Sims
Gov. Paul M. Pearson

On March 18, 1931, anticipation grew to new heights as a record crowd of 7,000 residents gathered at the Emancipation Park! 🌴

They came together to witness the inauguration of the FIRST Civilian Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Paul M. Pearson.

Our great-grandmother and her family brought their parasols, and joined the crowds for this historic moment.☂️

A New Day

Honorable Leroy Nolte, Chairman of the Colonial Council, spoke about the importance of this momentous transition, "a new-day dawn".

"The people of this municipality welcome you with acclamation.  We open our hearts to you, and as good citizens, pledge you our loyal support and cooperation."

The Community band played as the children waved their flags, excited to be a part of the celebrations.   It was a bittersweet moment when many old friends said their farewell's to Governor Waldo Evans.

The Inaugural Address

The Inauguration of Governor Paul M. Pearson in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1931 By Valerie SimsOnce the oath of office was administered by the District Court Judge, Governor Pearson made his inaugural address.

"I am deeply impressed with the generous expressions of confidence from the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, to whom I must look for whatever success is possible."

Governor Pearson shared his personal sentiments of this great day in a letter to his stateside family.  This is "the most eventful and most dramatic in my life.  The crowd was so enthusiastic, the greeting so cordial, that I was deeply impressed."

A Visit to St. Croix

On Thursday, Governor Pearson arose early to board the USS Grebe for the ceremonies in St. Croix.  The thirty-eight miles were covered in about four hours since the sea was calm.  When he arrived at the waterfront there were thousands of people cheering! 👏🏼
 

Watching the Parade

He made his way through the two principal streets of the town until he reached the beautiful and classic Moravian Church.   He reviewed the procession of mounted men, Red Cross children, Parochial school children and an Uncle Sam float.  It was all very creditable and done with a sincerity and enthusiasm that impressed him very much.

Afterwards, he drove to the bandstand which was filled with three or four thousand people! Here, the committee presented their formal program of welcome and pledges of cooperation.

Governor Pearson felt that the people in St. Croix were more emotional and much more affected by the depression than the people in the other islands.

Following the ceremony he went to Government House, which to him, seemed like a "real palace, imposing and impressive in its architecture and arrangements."

Visit to Frederiksted 

From Christiansted, he was driven the fifteen miles to Frederiksted for another official reception.  Everywhere he went, the people were shouting,  “Welcome Governor Pearson, Welcome!”   He shook lots and lots of hands from his car window!

When all was over, the USS Grebe came around by sea to take him back to St. Thomas.

A New Governor

Governor Pearson's inauguration day was very moving with the outpouring of love and support he must have felt.  He wanted very much to make a positive difference in the lives of Virgin Islanders.

Reminiscing about his eventful day, he wrote, "Well, I am Governor now.  It all seems like a part in a romantic play, set in a beautiful and romantic country." 🌴

Copyright © 2016 Valerie Sims.  All Rights Reserved.

* A very special Thank-you to Governor Pearson's granddaughter, Barbara for her personal contribution to this story.  It made this historic day come alive once more.

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Miss LOUISE STALLINGS performs in the U.S. Virgin Islands ~ 1932

Miss Louise Stallings performs in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1932 By Valerie Sims
Traveling Culture: Circuit Chautauqua in the 20th Century, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.
Louise Stallings performs in St. Thomas and St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1934 By Valerie Sims
June 6, 1934 VI Daily News

Governor Paul M. Pearson was a great supporter of the arts.  In 1932, he invited Miss Louise Stallings, a young American soprano to perform in the Virgin Islands.🎤

She arrived on August 9, 1932 with her accompanist, Mr. Helfenbein to give a series of concerts similar to her programs given in New York City.

Her Performance 

She engaged the audience at the Community Hall with the most incredible performance.  Spanish, French and Italian attendees were impressed with her "rich, mellow voice, as well as her intelligence and interpretative abilities."

Louise Stallings visits St. Croix

During Ms. Stallings short stay, she took the opportunity of visiting Christiansted. There, she gave an impromptu concert for those at the Leper asylum, the penitentiary and the insane asylum.

Governor Pearson's Impressions

Governor Pearson was so moved by the immediate impression the young artist had on those less fortunate, that he wrote about the experience in a letter home.

He said, the most picturesque audience was at the Leper asylum.  Eighty-four lepers gathered to peer through their wire fence to listen to her.  

He was very moved to see that even there, Miss Stallings gave her high grade program. 🎼

Copyright © 2016 Valerie Sims.  All Rights Reserved.

* Governor Paul M. Pearson's letters can be found at the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania.
Miss Louise Stallings performs in the US Virgin Islands in 1932.
Aug 8, 1932, VI Daily News
Miss Louise Stallings performs in the US Virgin Islands in 1932.
Leper Asylum

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