Virgin Islands History by Valerie Sims
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St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands History
Beautiful Sketches Found by Artist, Margaret Casey Gates ~ 1936
Margaret Casey Gates Casey’s Sketchbook Discovered in a faded black notebook at the Archives of American Art in Washington DC […]
Rare Collectible Found of the Olympic Baseball Team ~ 1954
“The sport of Baseball was introduced in the islands by William Lewis, a young St. Thomian who returned from Santo […]
Ten Beautiful Spots a Visitor Found Fascinating ~ 1957
Have a glimpse of the beautiful spots a visitor found fascinating in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands ~ 1957 Magens […]
Finding a Caribbean Holiday Magazine ~ 1951
There’s a great Virgin Islands collectible on eBay today ~ 1951. 📚 Take a look with this link!==> Ebay. Holiday […]
Postcards of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School ~ 1924
Yesterday and today….my how the years pass for our old alma mater. In about seven more years, the school building […]
St. Thomas, the Gem of the Caribbean, a Poem ~ 1924
Here’s a beautiful poem about St. Thomas. Saint Thomas, the Gem of the Caribbean Saint Thomas, the Gem of the […]
The Camille Pissarro Building in St. Thomas
I have such fond memories of working at the Tropicana Perfume store as well as in the historic, Camille Pissarro building […]
The Importance of Tortola Wharf ~ 1948
Tortola Wharf The St. Thomas waterfront has always been the hub of activity with the landing of Tortola boats and […]
Meet the New Carnival King and Queen ~ 1957
Carnival may be a fond memory now, but seeing vintage photographs of past Carnival Kings and Queens is still very […]
Police Week Honored in the Virgin Islands
In honor of #PoliceWeek, I’m sharing some old photographs taken when our grandfather was the Commissioner of Public Safety ~ […]
How Greek Mythology Influenced Our Ancestor’s Passions ~ 1918
Family Heirlooms Have you ever wondered about the history behind your family’s heirlooms? I was always an inquisitive child, constantly questioning […]
Vintage View of Main Street ~ 1922
Here’s a vintage view of Main Street, St. Thomas ~ 1922. This image was taken the same year the USS […]
Remarks President Herbert Hoover Made About His Visit ~ 1931
Herbert Clark Hoover was the first sitting US President in Virgin Islands history to visit the islands ~ 1931. Thousands came […]
Panoramic View of St. Thomas ~ 1936
Scenic view of St. Thomas taken in 1936 📷 Around this time, Secretary Harold L. Ickes was visiting the islands, […]
How A World Record Blue Marlin Was Caught ~ 1977
Blue marlin tournaments became very popular in St. Thomas after John Battles set an all-tackle world record in 1964. He […]
The First Public Library Opens ~ 1920
For generations, many citizens longed for a public library in the Virgin Islands! With the generous help of the […]
A Visit from the Pan American Goodwill Flyers ~ 1934
As I was flipping through an old family album, this photograph of an African-American man wearing a captain’s hat and a dark blazer caught my […]
Thrilling Experience Touring A German Cruiser ~ 1932
The Karlsruhe was launched in 1927 and carried 635 men including 30 officers. Photo Source: U.S. Naval History & Heritage […]
Celebrating July 4th ~ 1930s
July 4th is the most significant day in the history of America!🇺🇸 Colonists from thirteen states, having outlined their list of grievances […]
A Visit by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark ~ 1976
Queen Margrethe II Queen Margrethe II and her family’s visit to the islands was a monumental event for many! I […]
What College Friends Believed About the US Virgin Islands ~ 1950s
Off to College In 1953, our mother and her sister graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic High School. […]
Dedicating the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Park ~ 1945
Dedicating the Roosevelt Memorial Park Years ago, the Coconut Grove Park was the location of many agricultural fairs, celebrations […]
How the Catholic Community Celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Order of the Redemptorists’ Fathers ~ 1958
From Rt to Lt, Sister Cecelia (Kindergarten teacher, Sister Maria Rose, 1st-grade teacher, Sister Anita Agnes. Far left is Sister […]
First Carnival Majorette Group! ~ 1952
Did you know that the first Carnival in the history of the Virgin Islands was celebrated in 1912? Donkey races, costumed […]
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