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, this type of vessel has five distinctive features. ⚓ First, is the absence of a bowsprit. ⚓ Secondly, is the shape of the mainsail. It was called “Leg of Mutton” […]
US Virgin Islands
What Uncle Sam’s New Virgin Islands Are Like ~ 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, […]
Celebrating Carnival Time in the US Virgin Islands ~ 1978
Carnival Time The first Carnival celebrations in the Virgin Islands were joyous ones! Both were successes in 1912 and 1914 respectfully. When former President Theodore Roosevelt visited the islands in 1916, a Carnival Ball was held in his honor at the Grand Hotel. Thanks to Ron deLugo, a local radio personality, a revival carnival celebration took place […]
This is the Life in the Virgin Islands ~ 1973
This is the Life I love finding these vintage postcards from visitors! To see the whole collection click on this sentence. This postcard says: Hi– This is the life! We’re coming home fat and lazy. We highly recommend a cruise. These islands are beautiful, especially this one. ~ Jean and Bernie Preman To find the […]
A Colorful Coconut Palm Tree Painting For Sale
Coconut Palm Tree This is such a beautiful painting of a coconut palm tree that I thought I would share it with you. Some think it was painted at Solomon Beach on St. John. Without knowing who the artist is or any further information, I can’t say for sure. I attempted to find other […]