🌺 Virgin Islands History

Vintage Stories from the Virgin Islands

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St. Thomas

St. John

St. Croix

Danish West Indies

Hassel & Water Islands

British Virgin Islands

Hi, I'm Valerie!
I love researching the history of the Virgin Islands and sharing my discoveries.

I recently published a family memoir about St. John's history and I'm currently working on one about St. Thomas, called, Vintage St. Thomas due out next year.
You'll find over 300 blog posts about the US Virgin Islands here, including the British Virgin Islands too.

I hope you enjoy them!

Here are a few stories...

Coaling ladies at work on Hassel Island, Danish West Indies ~ 1907

How the Coaling Women Persevered ~ 1907
Rare Swallow Stick found at Magens Bay in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1917 By Valerie Sims

Rare Swallow Stick Found at Magens Bay! ~ 1917
Danish West Indies lithograph for sale

Danish West Indies Satirical Lithograph for Sale ~ 1901
Celebrating Constitution Day in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1937 By Valerie Sims

CONSTITUTION DAY Celebrated! ~ 1937
V is for Virgin Islands, book by Lavelle L. Peters

V is for Virgin Islands, A New Children’s Book by Lavelle L. Peters
St. John July 4th parade in the US Virgin Islands

St. John and Virgin Islands History Book by Gideon West
Bluebeard's castle, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Bluebeard’s Castle, A Poem by Cyril Creque ~ 1920s
Caneel Bay postcard, St. John, US Virgin Islands 1958

The Lure of Caneel Bay Makes One Visitor Want To Stay ~ 1958
charles lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh, The Flier with the Eagle Eye ~ 1928
Estate Caroline of St. John, Danish West Indies

A Historical Account of the Slave Insurrection on St. John ~ 1733
Vintage View of Main Street, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1922

Vintage View of Main Street ~ 1922
Jumping Jumbie Bed in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The JUMPING Jumbie Bed ~ 1934
St. Croix Masqueraders Painting by Walt Dehner

Who is the True Artist Behind this St. Croix Carnival Painting?
Alexander Hamilton from St. Croix

Honoring Alexander Hamilton’s Birthday
Finding a message in a bottle in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands by Valerie Sims

Message in a Bottle Found on Virgin Gorda Beach! ~ 1833
Trepuk, Danish West Indies, History, Henry O Creque, St. Thomas, 1902

How a Heartfelt Letter Written 100 Years Ago Still Has Meaning ~ 1902
Beautiful painting by Russ Elliott of St. Thomas.

Beautiful Painting of St. Thomas Harbor for Sale ~ 1986
On Aug 6, 1977, a new world record Blue Marlin was caught off St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. By Valerie Sims

How A World Record Blue Marlin Was Caught ~ 1977
denis bay

75 Acres of Denis Bay Estate on St. John For Sale ~ 1920s
Coconut Palm Tree Painting in the Virgin Islands

A Colorful Coconut Palm Tree Painting For Sale
Tortola post office, British Virgin Islands

The Road Town Post Office, One of Five in the British Virgin Islands ~ 1906
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Postcards of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School ~ 1924
Caneel Bay Dock, St. John, US Virgin Islands

M/V Kungsholm, The First Ocean Liner to Visit St. John ~ 1958
British sloop, LA GRACIA transports cane workers ~ British Virgin Islands ~ 1918

Carrying Cane Workers ~ 1917
Baerentzen St. Thomas harbor 1856

Very Fair and Full of Promise is the Island of St. Thomas ~ 1868
Slave Revolt in St. John, Danish West Indies

How One Family Shared the Sad Story of the 1733 Slave Revolt
The Carnival King and Queen of the US Virgin Islands ~ 1957

Meet the New Carnival King and Queen ~ 1957
Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda, A Beautiful Place with Wonderful Accommodations ~ 1958
all saints episcopal church, st thomas, US Virgin Islands by hans bulow

How All Saints Church Celebrated the Crucifiction on Good Friday ~ 1904
Anders Valstrøm and his photograph collection of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1911

Amazing Photograph Collection Up For Auction! ~ 1911
Tortola, 1908, Planting cotton,

Free Cotton Seeds To Planters in Tortola ~ 1908
Cinnamon Bay by Fritz Melbye painting

Cultural Adaptation & Resistance on St. John Book by Karen Fog Olwig
Honoring Transfer Day in the Danish West Indies, later the US Virgin Islands ~ 1917 By Valerie Sims

Honoring the Anniversary of TRANSFER DAY ~ 1917
Ira Smith Painting of Main Street, US Virgin Islands

Why Are The Paintings By Ira Harrington Smith So Popular?
The First performance of the Adams Juvenile Band, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1910 By Valerie Sims

The First Performance of the Adams Juvenile Band ~ 1910
El caribe, ship

Repairing the EL CARIBE by Hand ~ 1937
edward compton, actor

A Famous English Actor Causes Quite a Stir ~ 1903
Beautiful Painting by Riis Carstensen of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies

Saint Thomas, A Poem by Edwin W. Pope ~ 1920s
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 1964

Visiting the Virgin Islands ~ 1964
Clara Livingston

How One Woman Opened the Doorway for Commercial Flights to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s
Alton A. Adams

Classic Book by Alton A. Adams Still A Great Resource!
St Thomas Danish wesdt indies, us virgin islands

How St. Thomas Became Known as a City of Music and Laughter ~ 1892
The Dutch Schooner, Venture is lifted at the Creque Marine Railway, Hassel Island ~ 1912 By Valerie Sims

This Schooner’s Photograph Became a Popular Postcard ~ 1912
Carnival Time in the Virgin Islands

Celebrating Carnival Time in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1978
Former President Theodore Roosevelt visits St. Thomas and St. Croix in the Danish West Indies ~ 1916 By Valerie Sims

The Landing of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt in St. Croix ~ 1916
Theodore Roosevelt wearing a Panama hat ~ 1906

How Panama Hats Became So Popular ~ 1913
Sailing canoe, YAKABOO with Captain Frederik Fenger at the helm, visits the British Virgin Islands in 1911. By Valerie Sims.

Follow Along as the YAKABOO Island Hops Through the British Virgins ~ 1911
The Thrills and Dangers of Animal-Driven Carts in the Danish West Indies ~ 1906

The Thrills and Dangers of Animal-Driven Carts ~ 1906
Former President, Theodore Roosevelt attends the Carnival Ball in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1916

Carnival Ball Held in Honor of Former President, Theodore Roosevelt ~ 1916
St. Paul’s Episcopal Anglican Church.

8 Christmas Carols Sung in St. Croix ~ 1912
Billy Bones Beach Bar & Grill, Norman Islands, British Virgin Islands menu

Rare Billy Bones Beach Bar Menu Up For Sale!
Indian elephant visits St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, now US Virgin islands

See the Greatest Show on Earth! ~ 1835
Tortola Manatee caught in Fishing Net, British Virgin Islands ~ 1899

Evidence Found! Proof of Manatees Existing in Tortola ~ 1899
Jim Tillet

Take a Peek Into the Wonderful Workshop of Jim Tillet ~ 1961
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman

The Marriage of Opposites Book by Alice Hoffman
Visiting a German School Ship in the US Virgin Islands!

Visiting a German School Ship! ~ 1938
Wreck of the HMS Rhone, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

New Book Launched, Twice She Struck, The Story of RMS RHONE
grumman goose

All Passengers Survive After Seaplane Goes Down! ~ 1978
Dr. Martin Luther King, Minnesota Historical Society

Virgin Islanders Mourn Loss of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ~ 1968
Mary Celeste

The Mystery of the Missing Crew in Anegada ~ 1921
First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt visits the US Virgin Islands in 1934 by Valerie Sims

First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt Visits the US Virgin Islands ~ 1934
Fort Christian ceramic vase, US Virgin Islands

Fort Christian Ceramic Vase up for Sale
Postcards in the British Virgin Islands ~ 1902

Past Postcards from the British Virgin Islands ~ 1902
The Loss of the Proteus ~ 1941

The Loss of a Loved One Aboard the SS Proteus ~ 1941
Limbo Dancing, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Limbo Dance, Too Hot to Handle ~ 1962
View over Roadtown, Tortola, Britih Virgin Islands

The Last Will of James Thornton of Tortola Found ~ 1807
Rifle club in Virgin Islands

The Formation of the St. Thomas Rifle Club ~ 1935
Cricket team played in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1953

Rare St. Thomas Cricket Team Photograph Available ~ 1953
st thomas in color three hills

Now, A Poem by Antonio Jarvis ~ 1920s
Mount Carmel Catholic hurch, st. John, USVI

Dedicating the New Catholic Church in Cruz Bay ~ 1963
1906, aug 12, St. John picnic

How Whit Monday was Celebrated in St. John ~ 1906
EMANCIPATION GARDEN ST THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS PHOTO

The 3 Most Captivating Qualities About St. Thomas ~ 1912
Servicing the USS Ranger at the Creque Marine Railway ~ 1925 By Valerie Sims

Servicing the USS RANGER at the Railway ~ 1925
Haitian Creole language

Rare Haitian Creole Booklet Discovered ~ 1921
Unknown painting in Virgin Islands

Do You Recognize This Pretty Lady From St. Croix? ~ 1939
Thanks to Gov. Paul M. Pearson for getting thirty pianos for the people of the US Virgin Islands ~ 1934 By Valerie Sims

Local Artists Thrilled as 30 Pianos Arrive on the SS DOMINICA ~ 1934
St. Thomas Lager Beer, The Most Suitable Beer for the Tropical Climate ~ 1910

St. Thomas Lager Beer, The Most Suitable Beer for the Tropical Climate ~ 1910
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Vintage St. Croix Photographs ~ 1963
duke and duchess

Duke and Duchess of Kent Visit St. Thomas! ~ 1935
First Virgin Islands Library

The First Public Library Opens ~ 1920
Caneel Bay Dock, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Cruz Bay, From Conquest to Exploitation, A Forgotten History by David W. Knight Sr.
Tortola Wharf, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Importance of Tortola Wharf ~ 1948
Lady Ashley visits the US Virgin Islands ~ 1935 By Valerie Sims

Douglas Fairbanks Sr and Lady Ashley Attract the Crowds! ~ 1935
The quest for buried treasure never dies!

The Quest for Buried Treasure Never Dies!
Cane Bay Plantation, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Cane Bay Plantation, A lovely Spot ~ 1969
conch shell

Rare Conch Pearls Found! ~ 1906
Pan American Goodwill Flyers visit St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

A Visit from the Pan American Goodwill Flyers ~ 1934
The Solar Eclipse in the Danish West Indies ~ 1897

Local Star Gazers Turned out to See a Solar Eclipse ~ 1897
The Welterweight Champion of the Virgin Islands, El Matahombre ~ 1932 By Valerie Sims

How a Welterweight Champion Won His Title ~ 1932
Creque's Alley, St. Thomas, USVI

A Haunting Experience Above Creque’s Alley #3 in St. Thomas
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands Postcard

The Donkeys Bray, the Roosters Crow, But I Could Stay Forever ~ 1950s
Vintage Photograph Album of the Danish West Indies

190 Vintage Photographs of the Danish West Indies Up for Auction!
Photographer captured early image of Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island.

Early Image of the Creque Marine Railway ~ 1912
The Car Accident in the Virgin Islands

The Car Accident ~ 1931
Hugo Larsen's Nanny with Baby painting in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1905 By Dante Beretta

How a Family Historian Discovered Where Hugo Larsen Painted One of His Masterpieces ~ 1905
Armistice Day, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands 1918

How the Virgin Islands Celebrated Armistice Day ~ 1918
Come Back to The Virgin Islands

Come Back To The Virgin Isles ~ 1957
yacht Sora

The Little Sloop, SORA Sails to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1942
kenneth potter 1956 tortola

Photographs of the British Virgin Islands ~ 1956
camille pissarro st thomas, danish west indies sketch

Rare Pissarro Drawing from St. Thomas on Exhibit in London by Dr. Dante Beretta
Virgin Islands Calypso music from the Virgin Islands

Listen To a Little Calypso Music From the Virgin Islands ~ 1957
The Virgin Islands in 1903 © The Royal Danish Library

Mosquito Island and Others for Sale in the British Virgin Islands ~ 1903
Deadman's Chest in British Virgin Islands

Deadman’s Chest is a Real Location in the British Virgins ~ 1923
mail boat, virginia

The Mail Schooner, VIRGINIA Visits ~ 1921
st thomas new cc cricket samlinger

The New St. Thomas Cricket Team Wins the Match! ~ 1895
Schooner, Gitana visits the Virgin Islands

The Beautiful Boston-Built Schooner, GITANA anchors in the Harbor ~ 1899
The airship, USS Los Angeles visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1925 By Valerie SIms

The Arrival of an Airship! ~ 1925
The Loss of the British sloop, SYRIA off St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1912 By Valerie Sims

Sad Sea Catastrophe: The Loss of the British Sloop, SYRIA ~ 1912
Pulitzer prize winner, Edna St Vincent Millay visits St Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1935 By Valerie Sims

Listening to a Pulitzer Prize Winner, Edna St. Vincent Millay ~ 1935
Golfing in the US Virgin Islands

Golfing the Year Round in the Virgin Islands ~ 1951
Apollo Theatre, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, US Virgin Islands

A Lecture by Adolph Sixto at the Apollo Theatre, After the War, What? ~ 1915
Veteran postman Joseph Lorand accepts award in the Danish West Indies ~ 1911 By Valerie Sims

How St. Thomas Honored the Longest Serving Veteran Postman ~ 1903
school teacher

13 Regulations for the Teachers of the Public Schools in St. Croix ~ 1900s
St. John July 4th parade in the US Virgin Islands

Celebrating July 4th St. John Style ~ 1979
Movie Star, Dana Andrews visits St Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1951 By Valerie Sims

A Moment with a Movie Star: DANA ANDREWS ~ 1951
Leon A Mawson purchases the last commemorative stamp of the US Virgin Islands ~ 1937 By Valerie Sims

Purchasing the FIRST Commemorative Stamp ~ 1937
Beautiful paining of Charlotte Amalie by Caroc up for sale.

Rare Painting of Charlotte Amalie Harbor Up for Sale ~ 1927
Celebrating July 4th in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands in the 1930s

Celebrating July 4th ~ 1930s
Postcards from the Past ~ Danish West Indies

Collecting Postcards From The Past
Tortola Sloop in the Virgin Islands

5 Distinctive Features of a Tortola Sloop ~ 1957
Hurricane of 1867, British Virgin Islands history, Danish West Indies history, By Valerie Sims

ON THIS DAY, The Devastating Hurricane of 1867 hit the British Virgin Islands and Danish West Indies
Crowds at King's Wharf, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies US Virgin Islands

How Memorial Day was Honored in the Virgin Islands ~ 1935
school kids on step

The St. Thomas Census ~ 1901
Seascape painting by Eljay Torgar of the Virgin Islands

Pretty Seascape Beach Painting by Eljay Torgar Available
Apothecary hall in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Pretty Postcard of the Apothecary Hall on Main Street ~ 1930s
Earliest Story Found by J. Antonio Jarvis, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1917

Discovering One of the Earliest Stories by J. Antonio Jarvis
First Lady, Eleonor Roosevelt visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1934 By Valerie Sims

A Special Gift for the First Lady, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt ~ 1934
David Hamilton Jackson

10 Books David Hamilton Jackson Recommended You Read ~ 1916
First revival majorettes

First Carnival Majorette Group! ~ 1952
Treasure Hunting with Tony Creque on Norman Island, British Virgin Islands by Valerie Sims

Fun-Times Treasure Hunting with Tony Creque ~ 1986
Tropicana Perfume Shop in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1960s

The Camille Pissarro Building in St. Thomas
donkeys in st John

Beautiful Sketches Found by Artist, Margaret Casey Gates ~ 1936
Hurricane damage Derrick barge K-15 hauled at the Creque Marine Railway, Hassel Island, US Virgin Islands ~ 1933 By Valerie Sims

How Derrick Barges Help the Maritime Industry ~ 1933
Snipe boat racing in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Popularity of Snipe Boat Racing ~ 1936
on the dock Tortola, British Virgin Islands, August Monday

How Tortola Celebrated The August Monday Festival ~ 1929
The Romantic history of St Croix, US Virgin Islands book

A Romantic History of St. Croix Book by Florence Lewisoln
Danish cemetery in St. Thomas, Us Virgin islands

Where Denmark’s Son’s are Sleeping, A Peom by C.M. Conrad ~ 1922
The Lime tree industry in Tortola, British Virgin Islands-2

Fresh Yellow Limes Available in Tortola ~ 1908
The Virgin Islands Postcard

This is the Life in the Virgin Islands ~ 1973
The FLIGHT brings party-goers to Tortola for the August Festival in the 1940s.

The Yacht, FLIGHT Takes Party-Goers to Tortola ~ 1946
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands

The Colors Are Unbelievable and the People So Friendly ~ 1950
Fishing Boat off St. John, Danish West Indies, Dansk Vestindien, US Virgin Islands

Close Call for Two St. John Fishermen When Their Boat Capsized ~ 1908
Celebrated Fragrance makes Simmonds & Co a success in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1850s

How a Celebrated Fragrance Lasted the Test of Time ~ 1860s
Remembering Doris Jadan of St. John, US Virgin Islands

Remembering A Special Neighbor, Doris Jadan
St. Thomas harbor, Danish West Indies

Visitor Says Danish Islands Not Worth Millions Paid ~ 1920s
Charles Hawes painting of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Charles Hawes Paints Some of the Prettiest Paintings of St. Croix!
Movie Day on Main Street, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1963

Movie Day on Main Street ~ 1963
Marlene and Diane walker

What College Friends Believed About the US Virgin Islands ~ 1950s
transfer day valkyrien

Virgin Islands Transfer Day Ceremony ~ 1917
St. Croix Hook bracelets, US Virgin Islands, Jewelry

Do You Know the Story Behind these St. Croix-Designed Hook Bracelets?
graduation party

How Graduation Celebrations at Lindbergh Bay Became the Best Memories ~ 1953
The Fate of the Mail Boat, TO WINDWARD from the US Virgin Islands ~ 1932 By Valerie Sims

How the Crew Survived its Sinking ~ 1932
Honoring Police Week in the US Virgin Islands

Police Week Honored in the Virgin Islands
women kb.dk, Our New Virgin Islands

What Uncle Sam’s New Virgin Islands Are Like ~ 1917
Early Telephone subscribers in Danish West Indies, US Virgin Islands

The Earliest Known Telephone Subscribers in St. Thomas ~ 1909
Beretta

Taking the Last Danish Census ~ 1911
fort Christian

How Fort Christian Became a National Registered Landmark ~ 1977
Edward Fraas auction, brunn Rasmussen online 1911-1912 de beltjean road

St. Thomas Temperance Society Extolls the Virtues of Abstaining from Alcohol ~ 1911
caneel

I’m Having a Lovely Time at Caneel Bay ~ 1985
baskets

How the Moravian Church in St. John Celebrated their First Harvest Festival ~ 1901
Painting by Viggo Johansen

Could This Be Morningstar Beach in St. Thomas?
Henry Creque Ten pounds

The Ten Pound Baby!
fechtenburg for best wines and whiskies, st thomas, danish West Indies

J.H. Fechtenburg Offers the Best Prices on Wines, Whiskies and Liqueurs ~ 1912
Touring the big ship Malakka in Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1914 By Valerie Sims

A Few Lucky Residents Tour a One of a Kind Wonder Before She Sunk ~ 1914
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Tortola, British Virgin Islands ~ 1977

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Enjoy their Visit to the British Virgin Islands ~ 1977
RMS Rhone of Salt Island, British Virgin Islands 1867

Remembering the RMS Rhone ~ 1867
The formation of the prevention of cruelty to animals in st thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1914 By Valerie Sims

How the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Was Formed ~ 1914
Main Street, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1940

A Leisurely Look at Main Street ~ 1940
Piano baby

How a Small, Ceramic Ornament Brought Back Memories of Childhood ~ 1930s
Government HOuse, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, US Virgin Islands, Dansk Vestindien

10 Antique Views of the Virgin Islands Available for Sale
Ten Beautiful Spots a Visitor Found Fascinating in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1957

Ten Beautiful Spots a Visitor Found Fascinating ~ 1957
Lunch at Bluebeard's Castle, US Virgin Islands

Lunch on the Hotel Terrace ~ 1957
Normandie Bar

A Family Favorite: Frenchtown’s Normandie Bar ~ 1940s
Parade Magazine of the Virgin Islands ~ 1957

Finding a Caribbean Holiday Magazine ~ 1951
Scenic St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s

10 Scenic Views of St. Thomas ~ 1930s
The schooner, ZUHRAH at the Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island ~ 1920 By Valerie Sims

Finding a Few Photographs and Invoices Keeps One Schooner’s History Alive ~ 1920
Creque Marine railway, Virgin Islands National Park

Happy National Maritime Day
Francis Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands

My Mother’s Memories of Mary’s Point ~ 1940s
Midwives in St. Croix, Danish West Indies

16 Rules and Instructions for Midwives in St. Croix ~ 1884
The Tramway in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Scenic Tramway Cablecars Were A Popular Attraction ~ 1963
Camille Pissarro Painting from the Danish West Indies

Newly Discovered Camille Pissarro Painting Up For Auction!
Death of German marine

A Military Funeral for a German Marine ~ 1914
1912 Carnival in St. Thomas, DAnish West Indies

A Rare Photograph of the First Carnival Festival in the Danish West Indies ~ 1912
Dedicating the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1945 By Valerie Sims

Dedicating the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park ~ 1945
David Hamilton Jackson Day in the US Virgin Islands

Happy David Hamilton Jackson Day!
Lawaetz family of st croix

What Happened to Little Asta Lawaetz ~ 1915
Loss of sloop Perseverance off St. john, mr. Green

The Loss of the Virgin Gorda Sloop, PERSEVERANCE ~ 1912
Sailing around the world! Captain Harry Pidgeon of the ISLANDER visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1937 By Valerie Sims

How One Brave Captain Touched the Hearts of Many As He Sailed Around the World ~ 1937
Caribbean Belle in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Flamboyants and Buttercups and a Lovely Caribbean Belle ~ 1960s
Honoring All Soul's Day in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1930s By Valerie Sims

How ALL SOUL’S DAY Was Honored ~ 1930s
1956, Redbook Magazine about the romantic Virgin Islands

The Romantic Virgin Islands ~ 1956
Peter Island, British Virgin Islands postcard

Gentle Breezes and Great Food Make Peter Island a Special Place
jackson

Who Was David Hamilton Jackson?
Christopher Columbus visits St. Croix, US Virgin Islands ~ 1493

Christopher Columbus Visits the Virgin Islands ~ 1493
The inter-island sloop, EAGLE at the Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island ~ 1920s. By Valerie Sims

Rare Photograph of the EAGLE at the Railway ~ 1920s
Virgin Islands Catch and keep plant

Thorny Catch-and-Keep: The Country Policeman of our Islands’ Past by Dr. Dante Beretta
very old photographs of the Virgin Islands

Very Old Photographs of the Virgin Islands
bargain store, 40 Kings Street-min

Running a Mom and Pop Shop in St. Croix ~ 1900
Strange fish caught off St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1857

Strange Fish Caught Off St. Thomas ~ 1857
Raising the MAMIE COYLE at the Creque Marine Railway ~ 1929 By Valerie Sims

Repairing the MAMIE COYLE ~ 1929
st johns bay rum in the Virgin Islandss

11 Different Uses for St. Johns Bay Rum ~ 1917
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark visits the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A Visit by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark ~ 1976
Leon A. Mawson

Leon A. Mawson Remembers Civil Rights Leader, Rothschild Francis ~ 1930s
Ship Beautiful, RMS AQUITANIA visits the US Virgin Islands ~ 1938 By Valerie Sims

The Most Beautiful Ship in the World Visits St. Thomas ~ 1938
W. Harold Hancock paints the Virgin Islands

Do You Know the Location of this Colorful Painting?
st Thomas, Enid M. Baa

5 Postcards Offer Interesting Virgin Islands’ History Lessons by Enid M. Baa ~ 1934
paraquita bay, Tortola BVI

133 Acres of Paraquita Bay Estate for Sale ~ 1914
The Nurses training school in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands during the 1930s. By Valerie Sims

How Early Medical Pioneers Made a Difference ~ 1932
Sun, Sand, Murder in Anegada, British Virgin Islands

Sun, Sand and Murder Mystery Book by John Keyse-Walker
photograph of house in danish West Indies

The Oldest Inhabitant from St. John Dies ~ 1909
Battle of West Kay, Captain Carl V. Jessen

Two Treasured Paintings Document a Memorable Moment in Virgin Islands History ~ 1801
Emancipation in the Danish West Indies

My Emancipated Ancestors by Dr. Dante Beretta
St Thomas, US Virgin Islands postcard

Beautiful Weather Makes One Visitor Want to Stay ~ 1968
Cecile Ryden johnson paints the US Virgin Islands.

Have You Seen These Pretty Paintings?
Through the Sands of Time by Judah M. Cohen

Through The Sands of Time Book by Judah M. Cohen
President Franklin D. Roosevelt vists St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1934 By Valerie Sims

Thousands Greeted President Franklin D. Roosevelt On His Virgin Islands Visit ~ 1934
1965 Waterfront shopping, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands postcard

Waterfront Shopping, a Novel Experience for Visitors ~ 1965
St. John July 4th Parade, US Virgin Islands in 2019

Pictures from the St. John July 4th Parade ~ 2019
happy girls in the US Virgin Islands, Danish West Indies, Dansk Vestindien

Pass It On, An Inspirational Poem ~ 1913
St. Croix by Robert Amandus Johnson

Saint Croix 1770 – 1776 book by Robert Amandus Johnson
Rebuilding a Sunken Sailboat ~ 1916

Rebuilding a Sunken Sailboat ~ 1916
Frenchtown, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

How the People of Frenchtown Honor their Heritage
Carl Ludwig Bille

Amazing Harbor Painting of St. Thomas by Carl Ludwig Bille Up For Auction ~ 1868
St. Thomas, Gem of the Caribbean Poem

St. Thomas, the Gem of the Caribbean, a Poem ~ 1924
Dancing with the Danmark cadets in the US Virgin islands.

Dancing with the Danmark Cadets ~ 1951
German cruiser, KARLSRUHE visits St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1932 By Valerie Sims

Thrilling Experience Touring A German Cruiser ~ 1932
The Onion INdustry in the British Virgin Islands

How Onions Were Cultivated in Tortola ~ 1915
Hurricane of 1916 in St. Croix, Danish West Indies

A Hurricane Prayer for the Protection of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands postcard

Rum Swizzles, Island Tours and Shopping Top One Visitors List ~ 1967
Ludvig A. Thraen store, St. Thomas, Danish West Indies now the US Virgin Islands

Who Owned This Popular Corner Store in St. Thomas?
The Loss of the Spider ~ 1916 By Valerie Sims

The Disappearance of the Sloop, SPIDER ~ 1916
Surveying the damage to the schooner, METEOR at the Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1920 By Valerie Sims

How Pencil-Written Notes and Photographs Preserved Schooner’s History ~ 1920
Creque Marine Railway

See the Damage to the Creque Marine Railway After Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Pretty Painting of Danish West Indies

Pretty Painting up for Auction of the West Indies
Crown House in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

How Crown House Survived the Hurricane of 1916
Irma II of the Virgin Islands

Find Your Family on this 1918 Passenger List!
Flip Pal Scanner

One of my Favorite Christmas Presents
How Greek Mythology influenced our ancestor's passions ~ 1918

How Greek Mythology Influenced Our Ancestor’s Passions ~ 1918
Virgin Isle Hotel, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The New Virgin Isle Hotel ~ 1950
Larry Gluck painting of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Beautiful Island Paintings by Larry Gluck ~ 1960s
Choosing a new name for the Danish West Indies, the American Virgin Islands ~ 1917 By Valerie Sims

How a New Name for the Danish West Indies was Chosen ~ 1917
Happy Thanksgiving Day from the US Virgin Islands.

Happy Thanksgiving from the US Virgin Islands!
Alton A Adams of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, One of the Greatest Living Composers by Alton A. Adams ~ 1910
Jens Holm coastal scene of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies

Colorful Coastal Scene of St. Thomas on Auction ~ 1824
Charles Lindburgh's plane and flower girl, Margie Creque in St. Thomas ,US Virgin Islands by Valerie Sims

Could This Be Charles Lindbergh’s Flower Girl? ~ 1928
cakes, virgin islands cuisine,

A Taste of Virgin Islands Cuisine
The Burning of the Telegraph Office in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1909 By Valerie Sims

Fire Destroys the St. Thomas Telegraph Office ~ 1909
Catholic Church

High School Reunion Sparks Appreciaton for Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and School
Creque's Chevrolet, Creque's Alley, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Creque’s Alley and the Famous Folk Band, The Mamas and the Papas
Annaberg Ruins, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Take a Video Tour of ANNABERG RUINS
Miss Louise Stallings performs in the US Virgin Islands in 1932.

Louise Stallings Performs For Those Less Fortunate ~ 1932
Brewers Bay Beach, St. Thomas

What’s Inside the Mystery Cave at John Brewers Bay ~ 1929
Riis carstensen

Beautiful Cruz Bay Painting by Andreas Riis Carstensen up for Auction ~ 1903
the Anegada sloop, Fiddler lost at sea in the British Virgin Islands

The Loss of the Anegada Sloop, FIDDLER ~ 1906
Dutch gallot

The Loss of the Dutch Galliot, DETROOP off Anegada ~ 1851
Running a Rockin' Rock Bar on Norman Island, British Virgin Islands

Running a Rockin’ Rock Bar on Norman Island ~ 1990s
Grundlov Celebration

GRUNDLOV Constitution Celebrated! ~ 1914
Auctioning the EDGEWOOD in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1920 By Valerie Sims

See the Four-Masted Schooner Before She was Destroyed by Fire ~ 1920
Telegraph Office Postcard in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1909

Telegraph Office Postcard ~ 1909
Rare, souvenir booklet found of St. Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1897

Rare Souvenir Booklet Found! ~ 1897
The schooner, Fancy Me, from Tortola 1926

The Sinking of the Schooner, FANCY ME ~ 1926
Government House ~ St. Croix

St. Croix Government House Declared a National Historic Site ~ 1932
Pretty watercolor painting of the Grand Hotel in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands by M NIeld

Pretty Watercolor Rendering of the Grand Hotel ~ 1963
Admiral Henry T. Mayo, Commander of the North American Fleet passes St. Croix, Danish West Indies ~ 1917 By Valerie Sims

44 Ships Belonging to the North Atlantic Fleet Pass St. Croix ~ 1917
Celebrating Peruvian Independence in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies.

Peruvian Independence Celebrated ~ 1916
Road Town, Tortola 1956

Rare, Historic Video of Tortola Found ~ 1971
Elsie Baker performs in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1932. By Valerie Sims

ELSIE BAKER Performs! ~ 1932
Sisters of Charity honor anniversary of Redemptorist fathers in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1958 By Valerie Sims

How the Catholic Community Celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Order of the Redemptorists’ Fathers ~ 1858-1958
Sprauve Library, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Historic Home Houses Public Library ~ 1790
Fireburn in St. Croix, Danish West Indies

Fireburn Book by Apple Gidley
Hudson motor cars

Selling Hudson Cars and Coty Cosmetics ~ 1937
Unveiling the Bust of King Christian IX in St.Thomas, Danish West Indies ~ 1909

Unveiling the Bust of King Christian IX ~ 1909
Three King's Day in 1910 Danish West Indies

Celebrating Three King’s Day ~ 1910
Reef Bay House, St. john, US Virgin Isands, DAnsk Vestindien, Danish West indies

The History of the Reef Bay Estate House in St. John by Charles E. Hatch, Jr. ~ 1969
Leo S. Carty paintings of the US Virgin Islands

Beautiful Prints of the US Virgin Islands by Leo S. Carty
Our New Virgin Islands

Africa Arise, An Inspirational Poem by Charles A. Emanuel ~ 1912
St. John School Children in US Virgin Islands

Rare Photograph Found of St. John School Children ~ 1930s
Transfer Day by Sophie Schiller-3

Transfer Day, An Engaging Historical Thriller by Sophie Schiller
A Mystery Woman from US Virgin Islands by Winold Reiss

Who is this Mystery Woman?
Henri Konow

How the VALKYRIEN’S Band Honored Their Commander ~ 1916
American Red Cross Society in the US Virgin Islands

American Red Cross Volunteers Dedicate 100 Years of Service in the US Virgin Islands
steamer victoria louise harbor

How Hotel Italia in St. Thomas Became a Popular Movie Venue During World War I by Dr. Dante Beretta
View above St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Old Photographs and Music Bring Virgin Islands History to Life
The First visit of the Danish Training ship, DANMARK to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1934 By Valerie Sims

9 Newspaper Men Are First to Tour the Danish Training Ship, DANMARK ~ 1934
What Drink does and its side effects in the Danish West indies

What Drinking Does, Its Effects Upon Society, Business, Politics, and Religion ~ 1916
Pretty Dock Scene Print

A Pretty Dock Scene Print for Sale of the Virgin Islands
sunset in virgin islands, 1945

The Virgin Islands are Really Dead! ~ 1945
Pumping out BARGE 718 at the Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island ~ 1930 By Valerie Sims

Big Job Pumping Out The Barge ~ 1930
Coaling ships in St. Thomas, Danish West Indes, US Virgin Islands, Dansk Vestindien

How Strength and Perseverance Gave Coal Carriers a Memorable Legacy
The St. John-Pelican Cay boat races in the US Virgin Islands in 1937 By Valerie Sims

Watching the St. John-Pelican Cay Sloop Race ~ 1937
Touring the Old Sugar Works Museum, Tortola, British Virgin Islands ~ 1780

Join Me on This Tour of the Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum ~ 1780
come back sloop

Lost at Sea! A Jost Van Dyke Sloop Vanishes Without a Trace ~ 1916
Unusual padlock up for auction from the US Virgin Islands ~ 1930

Unusual Padlock Up For Auction! ~ 1930
Preachers

22 Wesleyan Methodist Preachers in the British Virgin Islands Named ~ 1911
Tortola sloop wrecked off St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1933 By Valerie Sims

Tortola Sloop Caught With Contraband! ~ 1933
Race Relations by Dr. Krigger

Race Relations in the US Virgin Islands book by Dr. Marilyn Krigger ~ 2017
laborers workers kb.dk 1896

5 Working Conditions for Agricultural Laborers from the British West Indies in St. Croix ~ 1864
The Inauguration of the FIRST civilian Governor, Paul M. Pearson in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1931 By Valerie Sims

The Inauguration of the FIRST Civilian Governor ~ 1931
Ann True Story by Flordelisa Mota

Ann True Story Book by Flordelisa Mota
CArnival time in the Virgin islands

Carnival Time in the Virgin islands ~ 1958
The Cruise of the Diablesse in the Danish West Indies ~ 1914

The Yacht, Diablesse Visits St. Thomas ~ 1914
Trumpetbush Flowers

Can You Name the National Flower of the US Virgin Islands?
View of St. Thomas from Havensight, Danish West Indies ~ 1809

Rare View of St. Thomas From Havensight ~ 1809
the attention of your femme de chambre; and in retiring to rest, it behoves thee to lift the netting with caution, and to insinuate thyself within its folds, in such a manner as to prevent their entrance at the same time. The comforts and coziness of a well- furnished, carpeted room, appear to a new comer, no trifling desideratum among tropical comforts, but they are rendered superfluous by the climate, and inadmissible from the multitudes of insects and vermin which infest the dwellings; whence every indispensable article of furniture is so constructed as to afford them as little shelter as possible. Miss Betsy was more liberal in providing the " re- past of ease" in the morning, and "cavished" fish, which the West Indians manage with exquisite regard to the palate, was one of the several dishes which graced her breakfast-table. We marvel much that this excellent plan of serving up fish cold, has not been introduced commonly in England. The process of frying it, and afterwards steeping it in vinegar, with some green capsicums and spices, and a flavour of garlic, is simple; and the compound may be preserved in jars for a great length of time. We confess a gusto for the thing.the attention of your femme de chambre; and in retiring to rest, it behoves thee to lift the netting with caution, and to insinuate thyself within its folds, in such a manner as to prevent their entrance at the same time. The comforts and coziness of a well- furnished, carpeted room, appear to a new comer, no trifling desideratum among tropical comforts, but they are rendered superfluous by the climate, and inadmissible from the multitudes of insects and vermin which infest the dwellings; whence every indispensable article of furniture is so constructed as to afford them as little shelter as possible. Miss Betsy was more liberal in providing the " re- past of ease" in the morning, and "cavished" fish, which the West Indians manage with exquisite regard to the palate, was one of the several dishes which graced her breakfast-table. We marvel much that this excellent plan of serving up fish cold, has not been introduced commonly in England. The process of frying it, and afterwards steeping it in vinegar, with some green capsicums and spices, and a flavour of garlic, is simple; and the compound may be preserved in jars for a great length of time. We confess a gusto for the thing.

Who was the First Local Band to Play in the Emancipation Garden? ~ 1907
Runaway Virgins New Book by Enrique Corneiro, US Virgin Islands, Danish West Indies

New Book! ~ Runaway Virgins by Enrique Corneiro
Estate Concordia on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Rare Document Collection Up For Sale From Estate Concordia on St. Croix
Royal Three Quarters of Charlotte Amalie by Edith deJongh Woods

The Royal Three Quarters of The Town of Charlotte Amalie
1922 Donkey, Welcome to ST. Thomas

Hope for Happier Days in St. Thomas ~ 1922
Frenchtown, US Virgin Islands, Dansk Vestindien, Danish West indies

Fun Memories of Frenchtown by Larry Gumbs
US Coast Guard Marion

Honoring the Men of the MARION ~ 1930s
Leah Sasso weds St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, 1955

The Island Wedding of the Century, Miss Leah Sasso and Mr. William Stevens Tie the Knot ~ 1955
pride of tortola

The Fate of the “Pride of Tortola” ~ 1966
P.H. Thurland, jeweler

Peter H. Thurland, A Jeweler of Distinction Passes Away ~ 1913
St. John, US Virgin Islands

Things are Just as I Hoped for on St. John! ~ 1985
Glimpse the last known photograph of the ill-fated GAVIOTA at the Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island ~ 1921 By Valerie Sims

Here’s a Glimpse of an Ill-Fated Schooner Before She Sunk ~ 1921
Rare Bat Fish found in US Virgin Islands

Rare BAT FISH Captured off Hassel Island! ~ 1939
Anansi and Company by Bish Denham, Virgin Islands

Anansi and Company Book by Bish Denham
Danish Crew of the Valkyrien in St. Thomas, Danish West Indies

Honoring Hurricane Heroes Past and Present
Tree with Marines

Jewish Soldier Stationed in St. Thomas Writes Interesting Letter Home ~ 1942
nisky Sunday school

Over 230 Books Recommended by the Nisky Sunday School in St. Thomas ~ 1912
Main Street, St. Thomas

Ever Wonder What St. Thomas Was Like One Hundred Years Ago? Take This Tour…
Pot sellers of St. Croix, Danish West Indies ~1907

Pot Sellers of St. Croix ~ 1907
st thomas in color three hills

St. Thomas, One of the Most Beautiful Spots in the World ~ 1905
coaling women at hassel island

St. Thomas Travelogue: In the Wake of the Bucaneers ~ 1936
Baseball team of the Virgin Islands ~ 1954

Rare Collectible Found of the Olympic Baseball Team ~ 1954
Scenic view of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1936

Panoramic View of St. Thomas ~ 1936

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