Meetings

• November 13, 2007 19:00-Bethany Moravian Church Hall. Showing of “The Proud and the Profane” by Paramount Pictures

  Please join us for the first meeting of the new season.

  Following a short business meeting, the society will present the feature film, “The Proud and the Profane”, a World War II dramatic romance movie set in the South Pacific but filmed on St. Thomas in 1956, starring William Holden, Deborah Kerr, Thelma Ritter, Dewey Martin, and William Redfield.

• December 11, 2007 16:00-Annaberg School. “Education in the Danish West Indies ” by David Knight.

  Please join us in dedicating our sign to the Annaberg School and giving a tribute to past St. John Historical Society members: Steve Edwards and Florence and Walter Lewisohn.

• January 8, 2008 19:00-Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay . “1867: Hurrican, Earthquake, Tsunami in the Danish West Indies” by Roy Watlington, UVI.

  Join us in the Sanctuary of the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay on Tuesday, January 8th at 7 PM for our January meeting which will include a presentation by Mr. Roy Watlington on earthquakes and tsunamis in the Virgin Islands. If you were here last month when the earth moved under your feet, you may have been thinking about the 1867 tsunami’s origins and looking for a wall of water. Professor Roy Watlington, from the University of the Virgin Islands' Division of Science and Mathematics, will talk with the SJHS about earthquakes and tsunamis of the past—specifically about the major quake and resultant tsunami of 1867—and he will update us on the status of projects to install new oceanographic and seismic sensors and early warning systems in the Caribbean.

  Professor Watlington's educational background is in physics and science education; his interests include physical oceanography with a focus on coastal hydrography and increasing public understanding of science, natural phenomena and natural hazards. Among his many current challenges, he currently leads the efforts of Caribbean Regional Association for an Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing Program in the US-Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone (CaRA), and is a member of the IOCARIBE Group of Tsunami Experts.

  Knowing Mr. Watlington, this is going to be both an educational experience and wonderfully interesting presentation. All are welcome and admission is free.

• February 12, 2008 19:00-Gifft Hill (Pine Peace) School Great Room. “The Virgin Islands in the 1960’s” by Ray Miles.

  The St. John Historical Society will meet on Tuesday, February 12th at 7 PM for a very special evening at the Gifft Hill (Pine Peace) School Great Room. Following a short business meeting, professional photographer Ray Miles, will present his fascinating and artistic photos of Virgin Islands places and people from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. Mr. Miles, a resident of St. Thomas since 1960, is an internationally recognized photographer, and certainly the best known resident photographer on St. Thomas in the second half of the 20th century. Many St. Johnians are also familiar with Mr. Miles’ son, documentary film-maker Erik, who has presented to the society in the past. Erik Miles will join his father at Gifft Hill for what promises to be one of our most memorable events. All are invited and bring along a friend or neighbor. This will be a wonderful and enlightening look at the Virgin Islands' past.

• March 11, 2008 19:00-Bethany Moravian Church Hall. “Godparents and Extended Families in the St. John Community” by Elroy Sprauve.

  The St. John Historical Society will hold its March meeting on Tuesday, March 11th at 7 PM at the Bethany Moravian Church Hall. Following a short business meeting–including an announcement from the nominating committee of the proposed slate of officers and board members for the coming year–we will have an exciting glimpse into real St. John culture. SJHS Board member and Historian, Elroy Sprauve will speak on “Godparents and Extended Families in the St. John Community”. This is sure to be an enlightening and entertaining evening; as Mr. Sprauve’s combination of humor and scholarly depth never fail to delight the audience, and bring a deeper appreciation of St. John. All are welcome and we hope you will join us at the beautiful Bethany Moravian Church Hall for this look back at St. John traditions.

• April 19, 2008 17:00-Bethany Moravian Church“Masquerade and Carnival Traditions” by Dr. Robert Nichols, UVI.

  Join us at the Bethany Moravian Church at 5 PM on Saturday, April 19th for a potluck supper. And, come hear about St. John’s past from a number of its elders and learn of Virgin Islands Carnival traditions from Professor Robert Nicholls.

  The final meeting of the season will leave us in a celebratory mood. We’ll enjoy a potluck supper on the church’s beautiful grounds. Mr. Elroy Sprauve, the Society’s Historian–and a number of St. John elders and culture bearers–will share with us some of their priceless memories of their youth on St. John.

  At 6:30 PM, following a very short business meeting (when we will vote on our slate of officers and directors for the coming year) Professor Robert Nicholls of the University of the Virgin Islands will present a slide show on Masquerade and Carnival Traditions in the Virgin Islands. Dr. Nicholls is a Cultural Anthropologist who has studied both West Indian and West African traditions of music, dance, and masquerade for many years. He is the author of Old Time Masquerading in the US Virgin Islands, published by the VI Humanities Council, and Remarkable Big Trees of the Virgin Islands.

  Bring your favorite potluck dish, in whatever quantity you can manage. No alcohol, please, due to our location— but Dr. Nicholls’s images and stories will get you in boisterous spirits! The Society will provide the drinks, plates and utensils. All are welcome! Bring a friend or neighbor and join us as we close out our season with food, fun and good fellowship

Activities

• November 23, 2007 12:00-Flamingo Club at the base of Fortsberg Hill. “Fortsberg Trek“.

  SJHS members are invited to hike to Fortsberg. We will join with the UVI group led by Dr. Gilbert Sprauve, and Professor Eugene Emanuel who will retell the events leading to the 1733 slave revolt, by far the most important historical event that ever occurred on St. John.

  We will meet at 12 noon at the Flamingo Club, located at the base of Fortsberg Hill. Bring water and sunscreen.

• December 15, 2007 9:00-L’Esperance Trail Head on Centerline Rd. Park by John Head Road. “Seiben & Mollendahl estates“

  David Knight will lead a hike to the Seiben & Mollendahl estates. Eleanor Gibney will provide a botantical commentary of the area. Drinking water, a hat, insect repellant, long pants, lunch, and sun screen are advised. All are invited and we look forward to seeing you!

• January 12, 2008 10:15-Take the 9:15 ferry to the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront… Exploring Hassel Island with Ken Wild.

  Join the SJHS and VINP Archaeologist Ken Wild as we explore Hassel Island on Saturday January 12th. We will meet at 10:15 AM at the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, just west of the downtown ferry dock… so those coming from St. John that morning can catch the downtown ferry at 9:15 AM (assuming it is still running in January…)

  Hassel became an island in 1860, when the Danish cut the isthmus to St Thomas, probably to enhance the cleansing water flow through Charlotte Amalie Harbor and to make it less of a hassle for ships to dock there. The island housed British installations, Fort Shipley and Fort Willoughby, in 1801-02, during the Napoleonic Wars. The US Navy had an installation there from 1917 to 1931. In 1978 the VINP expanded to include 122 of the Island’s 135 acres. The Hassel Island Historic District includes the entire island and contains early to mid 19th century fortifications, shipping and coal stations, and notably the Creque Marine Railway, constructed in the 1860s by the Orkanshullet Island Coal and Oil Fuel Depot. Our tour of the Island will focus on this very accessible facility. It was initially built in the 1840's as the St Thomas Marine Repair slip, and is one of the earliest steam-powered marine railways in the western hemisphere. Please bring water to drink, a picnic lunch if you like, and a $10 per person (round trip) ferry fee. We expect the return to Charlotte Amalie before 2PM. Bring your camera and be prepared to see and hear about some extraordinary marine artifacts and steps that the VINP is taking to stabilize this time capsule.

  All are welcome to attend and we will invite those non-members to join our organization to obtain the full benefit of membership, including the monthly newsletters. Hope to see you there!

• February 16, 2008-Princess Bay. “Hike to Remote Ruins” with David Knight.

  The St. John Historical Society will explore the “other” Mount Pleasant Estate, one of the least–known sites in the National Park, on Saturday, February 16th, beginning at 10 AM. Located high on the ridgeline above Hurricane Hole’s Princess Bay are the ruins of the early estate known as Mt. Pleasant (not to be confused with the Estate Maho Bay Mt. Pleasant.) David Knight will return, by popular demand, to lead us into uncharted territory–yes, that means no trail! But this is a surprisingly short and relatively easy bush hike. Anyone who went off–trail with us to Lieven Marche Bay last year should have no problem; a little steep, a little rocky, a little catch-n-keep….

  The trek will begin from the eastern end of the section of Princess Bay where the road runs along the mangrove, just past the 10 mile marker–park on the seaward side of the road, anywhere along Princess Bay. Bug spray, sun tan lotion, long pants, water and a snack may be in order for this hike. All are welcome and we hope that you will join David and other Society members for this adventure.

• March 8, 2008 8:30 to 13:00-Depart from the National Park Dock. “Maroon picnic to Lovango Cay” hosted by Wally Leopold.

  Attendence is limited to only 37 SJHS members and their guests. $15 per person (round trip) boat ride. Please register and pay-in-advance with Margie Labrenz (693-8808).

• April 15, 2008 9:00 AM to 12:30PM National Park Ball Field in Cruz Bay. “Friends of VINP Earth Day Environmental Fair”.

  The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park 2008 Earth Day Environmental Fair is Tuesday, April 15th at the National Park Ball Field in Cruz Bay from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The goal of this fair is to educate, inform, and inspire V.I. youth and the community on the importance of preserving and protecting our environment.

  The Society will be participating in this celebration. We will again be presenting a coloring activity for the many children who come to the event; this year featuring traditional “provision ground” fruits and vegetables, with displays of local produce. Please come out, and bring any home–grown produce you may have for display – It's a sparse time of year for provisions.

Special Events