Market Square, US Virgin Islands © Smithsonian American Art Museum I love discovering artwork from the Virgin Islands, especially unique pieces long forgotten! Here are several that were created in 1936 that captured the colorful and whimsical side of St. Thomas. Robert F. Gates During the summer months, Robert F. Gates and several American artists […]
US Virgin Islands
Scenic Tramway Cablecars Were A Popular Attraction ~ 1963
The Tramway Cablecars The Tramway was the Caribbean’s biggest attraction when it opened in the 1960s in St. Thomas. This was one of our favorite places to visit as kids. The dramatic cablecar climbed high above Charlotte Amalie with breathtakingly, beautiful views of the harbor and town below. The higher we went, the smaller everything looked […]
Celebrating July 4th St. John Style ~ 1979
St. John July 4th Celebrations Do you plan to celebrate the Fourth of July on St. John? If so, I bet it’s going to be a memorable one, especially after what so many have been through with the recent hurricanes. St. John celebrations have always been special. Here’s a look back at what they were […]
5 Distinctive Features of a Tortola Sloop ~ 1957
Tortola Sloops Did you know that the true origins for the design of the Tortola Sloop are a mystery? According to Professor Edwin Doran’s research, there are 5 distinctive features of a Tortola Sloop. ~ 1957 ⚓ First is the absence of a bowsprit. ⚓ Second is the shape of the mainsail. It was called […]
Uncle Sam’s New Virgin Islands ~ 1917
Uncle Sam’s New Virgin Islands Rare glimpses into what the new Virgin Islands was like just after being ceded to the United States can be found in obscure newspapers from time to time. This cool discovery from 1917 was a thrill for me. Shortly after the hurricane of 1916, a newspaper reporter visited the islands. The […]
Rum Swizzles, Island Tours and Shopping Top One Visitors List ~ 1967
Visitors have loved the Virgin Islands since they first started arriving on steamers at the turn of the century. Others arrived by private yacht and anchored in the beautiful bay. Recently, I’ve started collecting postcards from past visitors and sharing their comments and thoughts about their holidays. Some are really quite interesting while others […]
Cultural Adaptation & Resistance on St. John Book by Karen Fog Olwig
Here’s an interesting book about the history of St. John that I’m planning on reading this summer. Below you’ll find the Amazon review with a link to the book. Three Centuries of Afro-Caribbean Life This book covers three centuries of St. John history from the plantation economy of the early 1700s through the peasant economy […]
Come Back To The Virgin Isles ~ 1957
Come Back to the Virgin Isles Bill La Motta was one of the most talented pianists, organists, composers and arrangers from the Virgin Islands. He wrote an incredibly popular song called, Come Back to the Virgin Isles. Born in St. Croix on January 13, 1919, his musical talent was recognized at an early age by family members, […]