Virgin Islands History by Valerie Sims
Virgin Islands History and Culture in Photographs
The Little Sloop, SORA Sails to the US Virgin Islands ~ 1942
The Sloop, Sora This little yacht arrived at the Creque Marine Railway for service in 1942. She was a pretty sailboat believed to be from New York. Her bottom was painted green with a white waterline, blue topsides, and she had a mahogany cabin on top. During the summer month of June, she was spotted by […]
Vintage St. Croix Photographs ~ 1963
St. Croix Photographs
Photographs of the British Virgin Islands ~ 1956
Photographs of the British Virgin Islands 1956 All images above are courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. Don’t forget to visit the Shop!
Honoring the Anniversary of TRANSFER DAY ~ 1917
Today marks the 108th anniversary of the historic transfer of the Danish West Indies to the United States of America. On March 31, 1917, against the backdrop of global uncertainty and mounting fears over Germany’s ambitions, Denmark formally ceded the islands to the United States for $25 million. The strategic move aimed to protect American […]
M/V Kungsholm, The First Ocean Liner to Visit St. John ~ 1958
The Swedish-American liner, M/V Kungsholm, looked like one of the largest ships in the world when it was anchored in tiny Caneel Bay. She was gigantic! Maybe because this was the first time in the history of the islands that a luxury ocean liner visited both the island and a US National Park. Filled to maximum capacity […]
Virgin Gorda, A Beautiful Place with Wonderful Accommodations ~ 1958
Virgin Gorda I love finding and collecting vintage postcards! Here’s one from a guest staying in the British Virgin Islands in 1958. “A beautiful place with wonderful accommodations! Food is simply marvelous with plenty of fruit and fish native to this area. Hurricane Cleo passed by last night, but not much damage here.” HVJ To find […]
Could This Be Charles Lindbergh’s Flower Girl? ~ 1928
Family Story: True or Not? Have you ever been told a fascinating story about a member of your family and attempted to verify it, only to be frustrated by what you found or didn’t find? My grandmother shared many intriguing stories throughout my childhood, which in turn, ignited my love for genealogy. Stories about haunted […]
A Haunting Experience Above Creque’s Alley #3 in St. Thomas
Creque’s Alley Number 3 This alley, located in St. Thomas, was said to be haunted during the 1930s. 👻 My grandmother lived upstairs with her husband and told us many years later of the sounds she used to hear. It was a private alley and no one but the family really used it. On several […]
American Red Cross Volunteers Dedicate 100 Years of Service in the US Virgin Islands
The American Red Cross Society Did you know that the American Red Cross has been working in the Virgin Islands for one hundred years? The organization was established under one of the first Naval Governors, James Harrison Oliver. Since then, they have been helping residents in their darkest hours. Some of their accomplishments in the […]
A Historical Account of the Slave Insurrection on St. John ~ 1733
November 23rd marks the anniversary of one of the darkest days in St. John’s history that culminated in a violent and widespread uprising by the enslaved individuals. Hundreds lost their lives. Below is an account of that fateful day found in a book entitled, A Historical Account of St. Thomas West India Islands by John P. […]