Virgin Islands History by Valerie Sims
Virgin Islands History and Culture in Photographs
Honoring Hurricane Heroes Past and Present
HMS Valkyrien ~ Crew Hurricane of 1916 Just over 100 years ago, a hurricane in October of 1916 tore through the Virgin Islands with a vengeance—leaving a path of destruction similar to hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. 🌧 The damage was of historic proportions for its time and it left a lasting impression […]
My Mother’s Memories of Mary’s Point ~ 1940s
The history of Francis Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands: In this post, you’re going to learn a little information about the Creque family’s home at Francis Bay and the enjoyable memories my mom had there during her childhood. The property was sold to Laurence Rockefeller in 1954, and became a part of the Virgin […]
A Hurricane Prayer for the Protection of the Virgin Islands
After Hurricane Irma hit the Virgin Islands destroying everything in its path, I started to think about life differently. ⛈ No longer do I want to hold on to so many material things. I started perusing my file cabinet with a view to throwing as much as I could away. While sifting through […]
Two Treasured Paintings Document a Memorable Moment in Virgin Islands History ~ 1801
Battle of West Kay, Courtesy of Bruun-Rassmussen, Auctioneers of Fine Art Two Rare Paintings Incredibly, two paintings depicting the Battle of West Kay off St. Thomas are being offered at auction today at Brunn Rasmussen, Auctioneers of Fine Art. Former Governor, Captain Carl V. Jessen received the golden sword of honor for bravery from King […]
10 Scenic Views of St. Thomas ~ 1930s
Scenic Views of St. Thomas 🔭 Saint Thomas At mention of thy famous name, O Island of the Sea! I feel again I have a claim Within thy boundary. I live again the vivid scene Of childhood’s fitful hour, An thou’rt always so serene, My fabled Iv’ry tower! What heart-pangs I have known beneath The blossoms […]
Collecting Postcards From The Past
I love collecting various postcards of the Danish West Indies and the British Virgin Islands. Here is a small sampling from St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Based on this advertisement from 1913, it’ll take a lifetime to collect all of them. 🙂 Postcards from the Past This Virgin Islands postcard […]
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 […]
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 Domingo with the know-how. ⚾ He succeeded in converting many cricketers into ball players.” ~ Source: 1975 article in the VI Daily News Before 1917, Soccer was popular, having been introduced by the Danes as well […]
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 Bay, Bluebeard’s Castle, Main Street, Hassel Island and the Charlotte Amalie harbor. Beautiful books available at amazon.comSaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave Shop VI History books and gifts! SaveSave