How Memorial Day was Honored May 30, 1935 Memorial Day was a solemn holiday recognized as a day of remembrance, similar to All Soul’s Day. It was a day to honor those that had passed on, specifically, fallen soldiers who died while serving in the military. Hundreds of Virgin Islanders joined together to participate in the […]
St. Thomas
10 Antique Views of the Virgin Islands Available for Sale
Antique Views of the Virgin Islands For those who love collecting Virgin Islands memorabilia, there’s a rare album created by F.M. Corneiro available on eBay today. Inside, are ten views of St. Thomas including, Fort Christian, Government house and many of the local churches. This is a one-of-a-kind collection. Have a look at previous treasures […]
Beautiful Island Paintings by Larry Gluck ~ 1960s
Larry Gluck, Artist Larry Gluck created some of the most captivating scenes of the Virgin Islands on canvas! On a well deserved vacation in 1961, he and his wife, Sheila traveled to St. Thomas where they fell in love with paradise. Larry began painting and explained, “it was only watercolor with its intrinsic beauty […]
How Crown House Survived the Hurricane of 1916
By Dr. Dante Beretta For every bad, there is a good. West Indian saying When the barometer reading steadily dropped and the weather turned ominous, island residents understood this as a foreboding sign. 💨 Our grandfather, George Beretta fastened the jalousies and shutters and made his last-minute preparations. The Berettas hunkered down in their family home, Crown […]
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 are a handful of unfinished sketches and watercolors, never before seen of the US Virgin Islands. They were sketched by an American artist, Margaret Casey Gates. Mrs. Gates was a painter and art teacher originally […]
Local Star Gazers Turned out to See a Solar Eclipse ~ 1897
The Solar Eclipse As exciting as it was for many to witness the recent solar eclipse, imagine what it was like for those living one hundred and twenty years ago! 🌖 Days before the event, Danish Astrologer, Carl Frederick Pechule gave an account of what was to be expected on July 29, 1897. Seldom was an […]
Unveiling the Bust of King Christian IX ~ 1909
Long ago, it was recorded that August 5, 1909, would always be remembered in the “history of St. Thomas”, as the day the public monument to King Christian the Ninth was erected. Not true. Many have forgotten what August 5, 1909, meant for so many Danish citizens. King Christian the Ninth For many, King Christian was the most beloved Danish […]
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 produce. ~ 1948 Here, a woman sits among strewn coconut shells and cases of Quaker Oats and Pet milk waiting to be shipped. Since the early 1900s, this wharf is where all the produce and […]