1
Ron Morrisette Sr., father of SJHS board member Brion Morrisette, inspects the Reef Bay petroglyphs in this postcard from the early 1960s. (Postcard published by Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc.). The SJHS would like to thank Mr. Herbert Coles for his contribution of this and 11 other vintage St. John postcards to the Society’s archive.
2
This stunning street scene of a fruit vendor on St. Croix by Emelie Langkjaer was among the images that were presented by Anne Walbom at the December 2011 SJHS membership meeting. (Photo courtesy Anne Walbom)
3
A local sloop rushes for the shelter of the Cruz Bay Creek in the summer of 1951. Back when this photo was taken in 1951, the primary method of notifying the public of an approaching storm was the hoisting of the red gale warning flags from the flagstaff at the Battery: One flag for a gale; two flags for a hurricane. (Photo by Dr. George H. H. Knight)
4
Locally-built fishing boats pulled up on shore at "The Creek" in the Cruz Bay Quarter, circa 1950. (Photo by Dr. George H. H. Knight)

  • Events

    Image of Picnicking on the beach at East End, circa 1909

    • Tuesday, January 10, 7 p.m. – Virgin Islands Research Resources at the Caribbean Genealogy Library


      Please join us at our monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. at the Bethany Moravian Church Hall. The meeting will feature a presentation by the president of the Caribbean Genealogy Library (CGL) on St. Thomas, Rob Upson. Mr. Upson will bring us up to speed on his organization’s everexpanding resources for historical and genealogical studies. Thanks to the CGL, local residents no longer have to journey off island to access many of the important Virgin Islands research materials held in archives and institutions abroad. Come on out and learn more about this important local resource.

    • Saturday, January 14, 9 a.m. to noon – Pitch in and help clear the ruins of the historic Annaberg School at Mary’s Creek


      Grab a machete or a pair of clippers and join in Saturday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, to help clear bush at the Annaberg School ruins. There is quite a crop of wild tamarind that needs to be brought under control. The SJHS has been clearing the Annaberg School since its rediscovery and identification by Society members back in 1982. Help us uphold our long tradition of responsible stewardship. Refreshments and a light snack will be provided. Contact crew leader Weldon Wasson for details or to sign up: waterklip@aol.com

    • Special Event Announcement


      The SJHS is pleased to announce that as of the January membership meeting on Tuesday the 10th, we will begin taking reservations for two sailing trips aboard the beautiful wooden sailing schooner Heron. The sails, one a day cruise, the other an afternoon/sunset cruse, will be offered at $80 per person, and there is a limit of 20 guests per trip. Event details and the first sign-up opportunity will be announced at the January meeting.

  • Articles

    Vista of Coral Bay in a 1833 watercolor by Robert H. Schomburgk

    Read selections from archived SJHS Newsletter articles and supplemental articles about the history and culture of St. John. Recent additions include:

  • Photo Collections

    Photo of Christ of the Carribean, Peace Hill

    Explore our growing collection of photographs. Recent additions include:

    Historic Buildings (LOC-HABS/HAER)

    An extensive series of photographs and architectural drawings of historic buildings on St John. These works were drawn from the Historic American Buildings Survey Collection of the Library of Congress.

    Family Album of Anna Dohm Nose

    It was front page news on December 21, 1937, the local Daily News in fact, when Peter and Elsa Dohm and family arrived in their 10 meter yawl, Restmore, after a five year voyage. When the voyage began, Anna was four months old. Thus begins a family album covering the activities of this adventurous and entrepreneurial family. Luckily for us, this family believed in cameras and keepsakes, for Anna’s family album chronicles, with a small hiatus for the war years, the development of Cruz Bay and Red Hook from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.

    St Thomas Scenes

    This collection includes early 20th century photographs of St Thomas.

  • Presentations

    Lithograph print of the Cruz Bay Battery by Fritz Melbye, circa 1850

    View our slide-show presentations:

    • Governor Pearson. The early history of US ownership of the Virgin Islands come alive with these detailed and heartfelt written accounts and letters authored by the USVI’s first civilian governor, Paul M. Pearson. Pearson’s granddaughter, Barbara Grove, and her husband, David Grove, prepared this presentation which paint a picture of the depressed state of the territory upon Governor Pearson’s arrival, the fervor with which he was welcomed, and his genuine love and concern for the people of these islands.
    • Enduring Eloquence, a brief background of historical images of St. John, by former SJHS President David Knight.

  • Documents

    Photocopy from the Danish National Archives, Copenhagen–1722. List of first plantation owners on St. John

    View copies of primary documents relating to the rich historical legacy of St. John. Selected documents include a list of early settlers dating to 1722, plans for the Cruz Bay Battery drawn in 1780, a census for Lovango Cay from 1846, and many more...

  • Shop

    St. John – Life in Five Quarters Book

    Come visit our online store!

    St. John – Life in Five Quarters

    Selected readings from the archives of the St John Historical Society.

    This 200+ page book of local stories, pictures, and history includes accounts of prominent people and notable places, firsthand descriptions of earlier ways of life on St John, fact-based histories of estate ‘ruins’ we have rambled, and an impressive collection of interesting and beautiful images and photos, many of which have never been previously published.

    ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS


    New St. John Historical Society merchandise is now available


    The SJHS is pleased to introduce the Society’s exciting new line of custom t-shirts and caps. All affordably priced at a donation of just $20! Plenty of shirt styles, colors, and sizes to choose from: long sleeve with pocket, standard short sleeve, ladies short and three-quarter sleeve in scoop- or v-neck. All t-shirts are high-quality 100% cotton and printed with eco-friendly ink to protect our environment.

    Plus, high-quality custom embroidered caps with a leather adjustment strap in four fabulous colors.

    All items are available through the SJHS web store at:
    www.StJohnHistoricalSociety.org
    and from the sales table at any of our meetings or events.


    Step out in style and help support the SJHS with your donation.